Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo Honored at ASCAP Awards

The stars came out to salute Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, and Mike WiLL Made-It during the 27th Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Thursday night.

Following previous recipients Alicia Keys, Jay Z, and Pharrell, Ne-Yo was honored with the ASCAP Golden Note Award. The R&B hitmaker received a star-studded musical tribute from Mario, who performed his Ne-Yo-penned No. 1 single “Let Me Love You,” while Jennifer Hudson serenaded him with “Spotlight” and “Why Is It So Hard.”

“I’m back in the studio,” Ne-Yo told the crowd while accepting the award. “I got some more songs to write, I got some more music to put out there. I’ma make myself worthy of this.”

Mike WiLL Made-It received Songwriter of the Year for his plethora of hits including “Bandz a Make Her Dance,” “Pour It Up,” “Bugatti,” and “Body Party.” Rae Sremmurd, the duo signed to his label Eardrumma, treated the crowd to a performance of their hit “No Flex Zone.”

Jermaine Dupri was honored with the biggest award of the evening, the ASCAP Founders Award. Bow Wow aka Shad Moss kicked off the tribute with a performance of “I Think They Like Me” before Usher took the stage to honor his mentor with “Confessions.”

“Next time they say this award, they gotta say Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy, and Jermaine Dupri,” said J.D., who joins a prestigious list of past honorees.

Other big winners included Robin Thicke, Pharrell, and T.I., who received the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song award for “Blurred Lines,” while Jay Z and Justin Timberlake were awarded the Top Rap Song of the Year for “Holy Grail.”