50 Cent, Green Day Top ASCAPs

05/23/2006 10:13 AM, E! Online


Sir Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Bob Dylan...50 Cent? The times really are a-changing.

The hip hop superstar took home top honors at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers' Pop Music Awards Monday night, where he was named Songwriter of the Year by a group of industry peers.

The awards, voted on by more than 700 songwriters, recording artists and industry leaders, were doled out at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and in addition to Eminem's protege, also gave kudos to Green Day, Annie Lennox and Kelly Clarkson.

"I want to tell you that I use you for energy," 50 Cent said while accepting his award via a video message. "I listen to the material that you create...it helps me move to the next level...it inspires me to write even more exciting material."

It was the rapper's second time receiving the ceremony's top honor. He was so awarded for his contributions to five radio-friendly songs, "Candy Shop," "Disco Inferno," "Hate It Or Love It," "How We Do" and "Just A Lil Bit."

As for Song of the Year honors, ASCAP declared the prestigious nod a tie, with Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" sharing the prize. Carey, however, wasn't included in the kudos love as the award is for songwriters only.

Billie Joe and Co. doubled up on their hardware at the ceremony, also taking home ASCAP's Creative Voice Award, given to an artist whose career achievements are "equally informed by their creative spirit and by their contributions to the role that a creator can play in their community."

Another major winner of the night was Lennox, who was awarded the evening's lifetime achievement equivalent, the Founders Award. The "Walking on Broken Glass" songbird was honored for her pioneering and inspiring career.

"It's no secret how much I admire you as a person, as a woman, a musician, a singer and a songwriter, and I'm thrilled that you are getting this award from ASCAP," Sting relayed to the singer via a video message.

"Annie Lennox is one of the finest musical voices of our time--unlike any other, uncompromising and unpredictable," ASCAP president Marilyn Bergman said.

Lennox performed several of her hits for the crowd following the receipt of her award.

EMI Music Publishing took home the most industry-skewed award of the night, named Publisher of the Year for the fourth consecutive year.

While the ceremony was a little light on camera-ready faces, it was heavy on handing out awards, with Destiny's Child, Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Maroon 5, Nelly, Gwen Stefani, Ryan Cabrera, Ciara, Missy Elliott, The Killers' Brandon Flowers and Dr. Dre among the multiple award winners.