50 Cent takes top honors at ASCAP Awards

G-Unit rapper 50 Cent was named Songwriter of the Year yesterday (May 22) at the 23rd annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards.

The rapper received the honor for his contributions to "Candy Shop," "Disco Inferno," "Hate It Or Love It," "How We Do," and "Just A Lil Bit."

Although 50 Cent wasn't at the ceremony, he voiced his appreciation in a video message, stating, "I want to tell you that I use you for energy. I listen to the material that you create…it helps me move to the next level…it inspires me to write even more exciting material."

The occasion marks the second time the wordsmith received the ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year honor.

Hosted by ASCAP President & Chairman Marilyn Bergman, the ASCAP Pop Music Awards spotlight the songwriters responsible for some of today's most popular music.

Other honorees included Jermaine Dupri and Sean Garrett, who picked up four awards each; Scott Storch (3); and Dr. Dre, Ludacris, Missy Elliott, Nelly, and The Game (2).

Dupri, Johnta Austin and Seal received the Song of the Year award for co-writing Mariah Carey's hit single "We Belong Together." The song tied with Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams for the award.

EMI Music Publishing took home the award for Publisher of the Year for the fourth consecutive year.

The company was honored for a host of songs, including the Black Eyed Peas' "Don't Phunk With My Heart," Alicia Keys' "Karma," and Destiny's Child's "Lose My Breath."

More than 700 songwriters, recording artists and music industry leaders attended the event, which was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.