The ASCAP Golden Note Award is presented to songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Past recipients include Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Quincy Jones, LL Cool J, New Edition and Lionel Richie.
As previously announced, hip-hop impresario Sean "Diddy" Combs will be presented with ASCAP's Founders Award, and the songwriters and publishers of the most performed ASCAP songs on the 2010 R&B/Hip-Hop, Rap and Gospel charts will be honored at the awards ceremony. Top awards will be given to the Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song, Top Rap Song and Top Gospel Song.
The evening will also feature performances by several award-winning songwriters/performers.
Ever since siblings Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell emerged onto the music scene, the chart-topping sister act has never wavered from defying convention to fulfill its mission: sending uplifting messages through music and words that are relatable to everyone.
The success of the pair’s Platinum-selling, Grammy-winning debut album, Thankful, was due in large part to the pioneering crossover hit “Shackles (Praise You)” and to the work of songwriter/producer Warryn Campbell (husband of Erica). The duo’s “Heaven,” “The Real Party” and “Yesterday” were all best-selling singles from their self-titled album Mary Mary (2005), which peaked at # 8 on the Billboard 200. A 2006 holiday release won additional acclaim, but it was Mary Mary’s The Sound (2008) that sparked their greatest mainstream success to date, bowing at #7 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart, as well as garnering numerous awards for the album and for its record-breaking single “God In Me.”
Eleven years after the recording debut of Mary Mary -- having earned seven Stellar Awards, seven Dove Awards, three Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, an NAACP Image Award, a BET Award and numerous ASCAP Awards, including Top Gospel Song of the Year for "Heaven" in 2006 -- the duo sound just as innovative and committed on their sixth album, Something Big, which was released earlier this year. After only nine weeks at radio, the lead single, "Walking," has strolled into the top 10 at Urban AC and continues to grow.