DR DRE HONORED

Super producer Dr. Dre was honored with an ASCAP Founders award last night (June 25th) in Los Angeles during the 23rd annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.

Rappers, singers and industry executives paid homage to Dr. Dre and the top singers, songwriters and publishers of the top ASCAP R&B/Hip-Hop chart songs of 2009.

Artists like Prince, Ne-Yo, Jermaine Dupri, Janelle Monae, T.I., Twista, Gucci Mane, Ron Artest, andEminem performed or attended the invitation-only event, which took place at the Beverly Hills Hilton.

Pioneering DJ, Kid Capri did a set chronicling Dre’s 20-plus-year career, while Eminem co-presented the Founders Award with ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams.

“Whenever I get one of these awards, it hits me,” said Dr. Dre, who became emotional when talking about his mother Verna Griffin, who gave birth to Dr. Dre, born Andre Young, on February 18th, 1965.

"What makes him so important personally is he believed in me. And for that I am forever grateful," said Eminem.

Jermaine Dupri and Janelle Monae were crowned Songwriters of the Year, while Jermaine Dupri landed the Song of the Decade award with Mariah Carey’s smash single “We Belong Together.”

Drake’s producer Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels took home top rap song with the hit “Best I Ever Had,” while EMI Music Publishing won Publisher of the Year.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis presented ASCAP's coveted Songwriter of the Year award to R&B superstar Ne-Yo and songwriting/production duo C. "Tricky" Stewart & The-Dream, who won six awards last night.