On Thursday, August 29, 2019 BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) honored multiple-award-winning singer/songwriter and actress Brandy with the BMI President’s Award in recognition of her powerful impact on the entertainment industry and her timeless hits, which have secured her place in R&B history.
The ceremony took place at the Sandy Springs Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia during the 2019 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, which celebrates songwriters, producers and publishers of the past year’s most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs. Hosts for the special evening included BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.
Special tributes to Brandy began with contemporary R&B singer/songwriter Jade Novah performing a beautiful rendition of “Talk About Our Love.” The tributes continued with Samoht singing a stripped-down version of “Brokenhearted,” followed by gospel singer Kierra Sheard’s sultry performance of two of Brandy’s power ballads, “Have You Ever” and “He Is.” Eric Bellinger rounded out the tributes with “Baby” and “Nothing” which had the audience singing along.
Brandy’s brother, Ray J, took to the stage and serenaded his sister with “Best Friend” before she was presented with the BMI President’s Award. Brandy accepted the accoladed with an impromptu performance, encouraged by the audience, of “I Wanna Be Down,” before singing her iconic hit “Almost Doesn’t Count.”
We salute and applaud Brandy for her expansive career that has transcended the test of time. Her voice is beyond comprehension and will forever go down in history as one of the greatest singers to ever grace a stage. View photos and highlights from the celebration below.
