LL Cool J accepts the Golden Note award for lifetime achievement at the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 26, 2006. Upon receiving the award for his 20 years of service to the hip-hop community, Cool J said, "It's kind of surreal you know? It's like a fantasy."
Songstress Ciara, who received two awards for songwriting and hosted the event, arrives at the 19th Annual ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., without teen rap sensation Bow Wow. The couple, who shared a well-publicized relationship as well as song credits, recently parted ways.
Producer/rapper Jermaine Dupri accepts the award for Songwriter of the Year, an honor he shared with 50 Cent, at the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 26, 2006. Dupri, who's best known for his production skills, recently revealed that he is plotting a collaboration between his longtime girlfriend, Janet Jackson, and one of his musical cohorts, Mariah Carey.
Kelly Rowland, left, and Michelle Williams of the group Destiny's Child, minus blazing Beyonce, accept their ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music award for the song "Cater 2 U" at the ASCAP Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 26, 2006. Beyonce was on hand in New York the previous night to perform at Radio City Music Hall with her boyfriend and Def Jam president Jay-Z.
Chingy arrives at the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 26, 2006. The "Right Thurr" rapper was recently sued by an ex-producer for an alleged breach of contract.
Bill Withers, who wrote "Lean On Me," arrives at the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 26, 2006. Like LL Cool J, Withers was honored for his lifetime achievements with an ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Heritage Award.
MC Lyte, considered to be the first female rapper commonly acknowledged to be as hard as the men, attends the 19th Annual ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 26, 2006. The Bronx-born rapper, who started rapping in the '80s, is set to return to the music world with the upcoming "Back To The Future."
Missy Elliot, who will soon star in an autobiographical movie produced by Robert De Niro and his Tribeca Films production company, accepts her awards for songwriting during the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 26, 2006.
Recording artist Lady Diamond attends the 19th Annual ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 26, 2006. The event celebrated some of today's most popular music, with awards presented to the songwriters and publishers of the most-performed ASCAP songs on the 2005 R&B/Hip-Hop, Rap, Reggae and Gospel charts.
Haitian rapper Won-G attends the 19th Annual ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 26, 2006. Unlike many rappers, Won-G has done numerous "Anti-drug/stay-in-school" tours throughout the country.