Russell Simmons presenting Swizz Beatz with the “Inspiration Award” at The 2010 SESAC Awards in New York City

May 13th, 2010, New York, New York – Russell Simmons, Angela Simmons, R&B songstress Estelle, “Swizz Beatz”, Nate “Danja” Hills, Rico Love and a host of the music industry’s top songwriters, publishers and executives turned out last night at the 2010 SESAC Music Awards Gala at the IAC Building in New York City.

SESAC, the nation’s fastest growing performing rights organization, awarded Nate “Danja” Hills with top honors at the “14th Annual SESAC New York Music Awards when he was named Songwriter of the Year at the event. Hills also took home the trophy for Song Of The Year for his Keri Hilson smash, “Knock You Down” which topped Billboard’s “R&B/Hip Hop Songs” chart.

One of the evening’s many highlights was the presentation by Russell Simmons of the “Inspiration Award” to artist/songwriter/producer Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean in recognition of his humanitarian endeavors specifically on “Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)”, the song he co-wrote and co-produced with U2’s Bono and also recorded by the Irish rock singer along with Jay-Z and Rihanna. The song, a moving call to action to aid the earthquake victims of Haiti, went on to become a top selling download on iTunes raising millions for the cause.

Another show-stopping moment was delivered by New York’s PS22 Choir who delivered a uniquely and wholly memorable performance of “Empire State Of Mind” a mega-hit for Jay-Z and Alicia Keys and written by SESAC affiliate Angela Hunte. Hunte later received a performance award for the song.

SESAC Publisher of the Year honors went to Danjahandz Muzik, the publishing company for Nate “Danja” Hills. The award was in recognition of his astonishing array of hits in the last year including smashes by Hilson as well as “Sober” by Pink.

Songwriter of the Year, Nate “Danja” Hills & Swizz Beatz at The 2010 SESAC Awards

Since establishing himself as one of music’s most in-demand songwriters/producers, Hills has become one of music’s most prolific and profound creative talents. Propelled by his songwriting and production work on Justin Timberlake’s groundbreaking FutureSex/LoveSounds album, Hills soon scored with his songwriting/production work on Nelly Furtado’s Loose project and the CD’s smash, “Say It Right”, Madonna’s Hard Candy project and Britney Spears on her Blackout CD. Hills shared Songwriter of the Year honors in 2007 with Bryan-Michael Cox and again took home the top honors at the 2008 SESAC New York Music Awards for Songwriter and Song for Nelly Furtado’s “Say It Right”.

Hills has also chalked up massive hits with Timbaland’s “The Way I Are” and “Give It To Me”, 50 Cent’s “Ayo Technology” and Justin Timberlake’s hit parade of “What Goes Around…Comes Around,” “Summer Love,” “Until The End Of Time” and “LoveStoned.” Hills won a “Best Dance Recording” GRAMMY Award in 2008 for his production/songwriting work on Timberlake’s “LoveStoned/I Think She Knows”.
The 2010 awards celebration drew more than 400 songwriters, publishers and industry professionals. There were more than 40 songwriter and publisher award recipients in the categories of Pop, R&B/Hip-Hop, and Rock.

Billboard Magazine and SPIN Magazine were the event’s primary sponsors. Attendees were treated to signature “On The Hudson” Maker’s Martini cocktails courtesy of Maker’s Mark.

Established in 1930, SESAC is a service organization created to assist both the creators of music and music users through timely, efficient royalty collection and music licensing. SESAC maintains a diversified repertory that includes virtually all genres of music. Headquartered in Nashville, the company also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and London (www.sesac.com).

A COMPLETE LIST OF SESAC AWARD RECIPIENTS FOLLOWS:

Songwriter of the Year:
Nate “Danja” Hills

Song of the Year:
“Knock You Down”
Recorded by Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo
Written by: Nate “Danja” Hills
Publisher: Danjahandz Muzik

SESAC Publisher of the Year:
Danjahandz Muzik
“Knock You Down”
Artist: Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo
Songwriter: Nate “Danja” Hills
Publisher: Danjahandz Muzik

“Sober”
Artist: Pink
Songwriter: Nate “Danja” Hills
Publisher: Danjahandz Muzik
WBM Music Corp.

“Sweet Dreams”
Artist: Beyonce
Songwriter: Rico Love
Publisher: Rico Love Is Still A Rapper
EMI Foray Music Inc.

“Beautiful”
Artist: Akon featuring Colby Adonis
Songwriter: Jaylien Wesley
Publisher: Jada Loves Daddy’s Music
360 Music
Music Societe Regime

“Empire State Of Mind”
Artist: Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys
Songwriter: Angela Hunte
Publisher: Masani El Shabazz
EMI Foray Music

“Last Chance”
Artist: Ginuwine
Songwriter: Bryan-Michael Cox
Publisher: Babyboys Little Pub. Co.

“Boyfriend #2”
Artist: Pleasure P
Songwriter(s): Earl Hood, Eric Goudy II, Rico Love
Publisher: E Hood 66 Music
Grandma’s Boy
Rico Love Is Still A Rapper
EMI Foray Music

“Put It On Ya”
Artist: Plies featuring Chris J
Songwriter: Miykal Snoddy
Publisher: Makithot Music Publishing

“Check My Brain”
Artist: Alice In Chains
Songwriter: Jerry Cantrell
Publisher: Buttnugget Publishing
“Kids”
Artist: MGMT
Songwriter(s): Andrew VanWyngarden, Ben Goldwasser
Publisher: Old Man Future
Sadguitarius Music

“Magnificent”
Artist: Rick Ross featuring John Legend
Songwriter: Devo Springsteen
Publisher: Sounds of TVT

“I Can Transform Ya”
Artist: Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne
Songwriter: Swizz Beatz
Publisher: Monza Ronza
Universal Tunes

“Never Ever”
Artist: Ciara featuring Young Jeezy
Songwriter: Swizz Beatz
Publisher: Universal Tunes
“Goodbye”
Artist: Kristinia DeBarge
Songwriter: Adonis Shropshire
Publisher: Jaylen Adonis Music
EMI Foray Music Inc.
Christian Combs Music
“It Kills Me”
Artist: Melanie Fiona
Songwriter: Jay Fenix
Publisher: UfeelJ Publishing

“You Can Get It All”
Artist: Bow Wow featuring Johnta Austin
Songwriter(s): Bow Wow, Omarion
Publisher: Shago Music Inc.
Mr. Grandberry Os Music
Notting Hill Songs USA

“Million Dollar Bill”
Artist: Whitney Houston
Songwriter: Swizz Beatz
Publisher: Monza Ronza
Universal Tunes

“Beyond Here Lies Nothin'”
Artist: Bob Dylan
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Publisher: Special Rider Music

“I and Love and You”
Artist: The Avett Brothers
Songwriter(s): Scott Avett, Seth Avett, Bob Crawford
Publisher: Nemoivmusic
First Big Show Publishing
Truth Comes True Publishing
Ramseur Family Fold Music

“Womanizer”
Artist: Britney Spears
Songwriter: Nikeshia “K. Briscoe” Briscoe
Publisher: Outsyder Music Entertainment Publishing