Nile Rodgers Named 2015 BMI Icon Honoree
Nile Rodgers, the Grammy-winning co-founder of Chic, will be presented with the BMI Icon Award at the annual BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. The ceremony will take place Aug. 28 at the Saban Theatre in Los Angeles and also honor the songwriters, producers and publishers of the most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs of the previous year.
Nile Rodgers on Chic’s First Dance Club Songs Chart-Topper in 23 Years: ‘It’s Unreal’
In addition to scoring such indelible Chic classics as “Good Times” and “Le Freak,” Rodgers has lent his production, composing and arranging skills to a diverse slate of projects, collaborating with everyone from David Bowie, Madonna and Diana Ross to Daft Punk, Disclosure and Sam Smith. He is currently finishing work on the first new Chic album in nearly 25 years. The forthcoming set features lead single and Dance Club Songs No. 1 “I’ll Be There.”
Announcing Rodgers’ selection, BMI VP, writer/publisher relations, Atlanta Catherine Brewton said, “The BMI Icon Award is given to an individual for their ability to connect people through song and defy musical expectations.” Brewton will co-host the awards with BMI president/CEO Mike O’Neill.
Rodgers joins such previous BMI Icon Award honorees as James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Mariah Carey, George Clinton and Al Green. Additional information is available through BMI.com.