Last night SESAC, the performing arts organization that is getting bigger, had their 15th Annual Music Awards Gala in New York City last night. Rico Love, who hit the top of the charts in 2010 with “There Goes My Baby” and “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” by Usher (featuring Plies) as well as “Just A Dream” by Nelly and “Hello Good Morning” (co-written with fellow SESAC hit-maker Nate “Danja” Hills) and recorded by Diddy-Dirty Money (featuring T.I. and Rick Ross) and “Sweet Dreams” by Beyonce, was given top honors with Songwriter of the Year. There was also a celebration for the 100th birthday of late Delta Blues legend Robert Johnson. The complete list of winners is below.

Songwriter of the Year:
Rico Love

Song of the Year:
“Need You Now”
Written by Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott

Publisher of the Year:
EMI Foray Music

“Just A Dream”
Recorded by: Nelly
Songwriter: Rico Love
Publisher(s): EMI Foray Music, Rico Love Is Still A Rapper

“There Goes My Baby”
Recorded by: Usher
Songwriter: Rico Love
Publisher(s): EMI Foray Music, Rico Love Is Still A Rapper

“Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)”
Recorded by: Usher featuring Plies
Songwriter: Rico Love
Publisher(s): EMI Foray Music, Rico Love Is Still A Rapper

“Sweet Dreams”
Recorded by: Beyonce
Songwriter: Rico Love
Publisher(s): EMI Foray Music, Rico Love Is Still A Rapper

“Hello Good Morning”
Recorded by: Diddy Dirty Money
Songwriter(s): Nate “Danja” Hills, Rico Love
Publisher(s): Danjahandz Muzik, EMI Foray Music, Rico Love Is Still A Rapper

“Sober”
Recorded by: Pink
Songwriter: Nate “Danja” Hills
Publisher(s): Danjahandz Muzik, WBM Music Corp.

“Knock You Down”
Recorded by: Keri Hilson
Songwriter: Nate “Danja” Hills
Publisher: Danjahandz Muzik

“Need You Now”
Recorded by: Lady Antebellum
Songwriter: Hillary Scott
Publisher(s): EMI Foray Music, Hillary Dawn Songs

“I Run To You”
Recorded by: Lady Antebellum
Songwriter: Hillary Scott
Publisher(s): EMI Foray Music, Hillary Dawn Songs

“It Kills Me”
Recorded by: Melanie Fiona
Songwriter: Jay Fenix
Publisher(s): YoufeelJ Publishing, WBM Music Corp.

“What’s My Name”
Recorded by: Rihanna featuring Drake
Songwriter: Traci Hale
Publisher: Hale Yeah Music

“Letting Go (Dutty Love)”
Recorded by: Sean Kingston featuring Nicki Minaj
Songwriter: Traci Hale
Publisher(s): Hale Yeah Music, peertunes Ltd.

“Glitter In The Air”
Recorded by: Pink
Songwriter: Billy Mann
Publisher(s): Sony/ATV Sounds LLC, Turtle Victory

“Empire State Of Mind”
Recorded by: Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys
Songwriter: Angela Hunte
Publisher(s): EMI Foray Music, Masani El Shabazz

“Love All Over Me”
Recorded by: Monica
Songwriter: Bryan-Michael Cox
Publisher(s): Noontime South Inc., Songs In The Key Of B Flat, WBM Music Corp.

“Fancy”
Recorded by: Drake featuring T.I.
Songwriter: Swizz Beatz
Publisher(s): Avenue Beatz Music, Monza Ronza, Universal Tunes

“On To The Next One”
Recorded by: Jay-Z featuring Swizz Beatz
Songwriter: Swizz Beatz
Publisher(s): Monza Ronza, Universal Tunes

“Aston Martin Music”
Recorded by: Rick Ross featuring Drake & Chrisette Michele
Songwriter: Chrisette Michele
Publisher(s): Chrisette Michele LLC, EMI Foray Music, Four Kings Publishing

“Ain’t Leavin’ Without You”
Recorded by: Jaheim
Songwriter: Bale’wa Muhammad
Publisher(s): Jahqae Joints, Universal Tunes

“I Wanna Rock”
Recorded by: Snoop Dogg
Songwriter: Scoop Deville
Publisher: Elijah Molina Publishing

“Little Lion Man”
Recorded by: Mumford & Sons
Songwriter(s): Edward Dwane, Benjamin Lovett, Winston Marshall, Marcus Mumford
Publisher: Universal Tunes

“Your Decision”
Recorded by: Alice In Chains
Songwriter: Jerry Cantrell

April 27, 2011 – New York, NY — SESAC, the nation’s most progressive and fastest growing performing rights organization, announced today that Sylvia Rhone, President of Universal Motown, will present the Songwriter of the Year Award at the 2011 SESAC New York Music Awards. Rhone, one of the music industry’s most recognized and renowned music executives, is well known for her longtime support and appreciation for artists and songwriters.

The 2011 SESAC New York Music Awards, set to take place Wednesday, May 11 at New York City’s chic IAC Building, will honor the top songwriters and publishers of the most popular songs from 2010 with special awards being presented to the Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year.

The invitation-only, red carpet gala event has established itself as one of the most popular music gatherings in the business. Each year the star studded evening features special performances from some of entertainment’s top hit-makers with attendees including some of the biggest names in music. Previously, SESAC has presented awards to some of the industry’s top hit makers including Bob Dylan, MGMT, Neil Diamond, Alice In Chains, Chrisette Michele, Bryan-Michael Cox, Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean, Nate “Danja” Hills and Lady Antebellum.

In 2010, songwriter/producer/ artist Swizz Beatz was presented with the Inspiration Award by entrepreneur and humanitarian Russell Simmons in recognition of his philanthropic endeavors, particularly his work for Haiti relief. Nate “Danja” Hills was also on hand last year to accept top honors for Songwriter and Song of the Year for a multitude of hits including “Knock You Down” by Keri Hilson and “Sober” by Pink.

Special performances and guests to be announced shortly.