Janet Jackson honoured, Aretha Franklin remembered at BMI Awards

The 2018 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards was held at Atlanta's Woodruff Arts Center's Symphony Hall. Janet Jackson was honoured with the BMI Icon Award while the event also featured a surprise appearance by Missy Elliott who paid her respect to Janet.

Missy Elliott gave a speech in honour of Jackson while also quoting the singer's lyrics during the speech, reported Variety.

Metro Boomin walked away with two awards, including 'Producer of Year' for the third time in a row and 'Songwriter of the Year' for his songs like 'Bad and Boujee', 'Bank Account' and 'Mask Off'.

'Song of the Year' award went to The Weeknd's 'I Feel It Coming', which was written by Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo.

Universal Music Publishing Group was awarded 'Publisher of the Year' for the fourth consecutive time. UMPG had 15 of the most performed songs of the year.

The event also paid tribute to late Aretha Franklin, who was the part of the BMI family for 50 years as told by the performance rights organization. Tamela Mann sang 'Precious Lord, Take My Hand' and 'You've Got a Friend' to honour the 'Queen of Soul'.

Other performers in the show included Atlanta rapper Derez De'shon (the 2018 BMI Social Star), H.E.R. and the 411 Dance Troupe.

Janet Jackson's songs were performed by Jussie Smollett (That's the Way Love Goes), Justine Skye (Let's Wait Awhile), Normani (The Pleasure Principle) and Teyana Taylor (I Get Lonely).

The BMI Awards recognizes the songwriters, producers and publishers of the year's most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs, organized by Broadcast Music, Inc.

The event was hosted by Mike O'Neill, BMI President and CEO, and Catherine Brewton, VP of Creative, Atlanta, along with lifestyle personality Kenny Burns.