LL Cool J to Receive ASCAP Award

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Rapper and actor LL Cool J will be honored by the American Society Of Composers, Authors And Publishers (ASCAP) at the 19th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on June 26th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. He'll receive the prestigious Golden Note Award. Bill Withers, who will also be honored during the event, is scheduled to receive the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award.

ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman said, "LL Cool J is one of the most important figures in the history of hip-hop. He has weathered all the trends in the rap world and is as commercially viable today as he was when he started out in 1985. We are very pleased to honor LL Cool J by adding his name to the very elite group of our Golden Note-winning songwriters and composers."

Previous Golden Note winners include: Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jay-Z, and Quincy Jones.

In related news, LL Cool J's latest album, Todd Smith, was recently certified gold for sales of 500,000 copies. The latest single from the set is "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings.