SONY PUB WINS BMI POP PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR

Sony Music Publishing was named Pop Publisher of the Year at BMI’s 72nd Annual Pop Awards Wednesday night at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in L.A. It was the Jon Platt-led pubco’s seventh consecutive win in the category.

SMP songwriters and composers had 34 of the most-performed pop songs in the U.S. last year, including SZA’s “Kill Bill,” co-written by Rob Bisel, and Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night,” co-written by Charlie Handsome. In addition, “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus was crowned Song of the Year. Cyrus wrote the song with Gregory “Aldae” Hein and Michael Pollack.

“It is an honor to receive the Publisher of the Year award for the seventh year in a row,” said Sony Music Publishing EVP/Head of A&R, Walter Jones. “We are incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to support and champion SMP’s songwriters every day, and this award reflects their outstanding achievements.”

Benny Blanco won the President’s Award, joining previous recipients Ludacris, Willie Nelson, Brian Wilson, Dwight Yoakam and Luis Fonsi, among others. During the ceremony, Sia performed Rihanna’s “Diamonds” as a tribute to Blanco, who wrote the song with Sia.

Taylor Swift took Songwriter of the Year for having penned 10 of BMI’s most-performed songs of 2023, including “Cruel Summer,” “Anti-Hero” and “Karma.”

The most-performed songs of last year included Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night,” Ed Sheeran’s “Eyes Closed,” “How Do I Say Goodbye” by Dean Lewis, Elton John and Britney Spears’ “Hold Me Closer,” Bebe Rexha and David Guetta’s “I’m Good,” “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” by Harry Styles and Stephen Sanchez’s “Until I Found You.”

SMP songwriting honorees also included 070 Shake, Akil “Fresh” King, Alonzo Miller, Anne-Marie, Beach Noise, Caroline Ailin, Clinton Sparks, Coi Leray, Dan Darmawan, Dylan Wiggins, Ed Sheeran, Enya, INK, Johnny McDaid, Kamille, Keanu Torres, Lady Gaga, Latto, Lil Nas X, Mario Winans, Mike Sabath, Nicky Ryan, P!nk, PinkPantheress, Roma Ryan, Ruth B, Sam Dew, Sarah Aarons, Sarcastic Sounds, Sounwave, Tamar Kaprelian, Tate McRae and Tom Barnes.

For the complete list of awards, visit BMI’s awards page here.