Timbaland Honored At ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards

Timbaland and Jay Z tied for songwriter of the year, and Sony/ATV claimed publisher of the year during the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards last evening (June 25).

Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles, the 28^th annual ceremony also honored the songwriters and publishers of the most-performed ASCAP songs on the 2014 R&B, hip-hop, rap and gospel charts. Named top songs of the year: “Drunk in Love” written by Beyoncé, Jay Z and Timbaland (R&B/hip-hop), “Show Me” written by Jeremih and Kid Ink by Kid Ink (rap) and “I Can Only Imagine” written by Bart Millard (gospel). Collectively, Sony/ATV songwriters penned 24 of the most-performed songs.

Timbaland and an absent Jay Z tied with four songs apiece, including “Drunk in Love,” “Part II (on the Run)” and “Tom Ford.” Taking the stage, Timbaland prodded the audience to “give a round of applause for the thing we love to do -- music.” Adding that it’s not awards but the next generation of talent that excites him, the Empire tunesmith threw shout-outs to K. Michelle (“You can sing your ass off”) and Jeremih (“You’re a bad dude who can write your ass off”) as well as writers Mike Will Made It and Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels

“Music isn’t about hating but congratulating,” continued Timbaland, who also noted that Missy Elliott (“my rock”) will be returning with new music in July. “We’ve got to join together. All the young artists need to work together, not against each other, and make magic.”

Timbaland Introduces Tink as His New Artist (Video)

Timbaland has introduced us to Aaliyah, Ginuwine and helped revive the careers of Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado. But to hear the beat architect say it, his latest protégé almost out does them all. 
(Respect to Baby Girl, of course.)

he told REVOLT: "She's reinventing me, I had Lauryn Hill in my time, don't take this wrong. I was compared to Quincy Jones. Who's compared to Lauryn HIll? It has to be her. This is a reinvention of what I did with Aaliyah and Missy Elliott but for 2015."

Teen singer/rapper/songeriter Tink is the latest act signed to Mosley Music Group through Epic Records and after her Winter's Diary 2 Mixtape, which gained a huge buzz before Timbaland, the expectations for the pair's work together is sky high. Last week in New York, Timbo previewed new music from her, including a number where he sampled Aaliyah that will draw comparisons and maybe incite a few eye rolls in the process. But Tink proves she's up to the task. Forthcoming collabos with JAY Z and André 3000 show that Tink's versatile delivery, whether rapping or singing, fit comfortably on a track. But her solo material is what really impresses. 

Watch Timbaland talk about Tink, above, and be on the lookout for