Ludacris, Chris Brown Honored at 2014 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards

The stars came out to salute Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges at the 2014 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood on Friday. The rapper-actor-mogul was honored with the BMI President’s Award for his achievement in songwriting and his global influence on culture and the entertainment industry.

Following video tributes from Usher, Lil Jon, and Tom Cruise, Luda thanked his mother, girlfriend Eudoxie, and his team.

“Nobody could do it by themselves,” said a humbled Luda. “It’s really the people that’s behind you and the strong foundation that you have is extremely important.”

He then loosened his bow tie and hit the stage for a medley of his greatest hits including “What’s Your Fantasy,” “Yeah,” “How Low,” “Southern Hospitality,” “Area Codes,” and “Move Bitch” with special guest Mystikal.

The star-studded event also celebrated the songwriters, producers, and publishers of the most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs of the previous year, with performances from TeeFlii (“24 Hours”) and Tamar Braxton (“Love and War”).

Zendaya won the BMI Social Star Award and Detail, J-Roc, and DJ Mustard were honored as Producers of the Year. The West Coast hitmaker brought out YG to perform “My Hitta” and “Who Do You Love.”

Chris Brown was also in the house and received a Special Citation of Achievement recognizing over 1 million broadcast performances of his hit “Forever.”

“I just appreciate all the singers and the songwriters who helped me get to this point making all this great music,” said Breezy. “I didn’t do it by myself. The fans really jumpstarted it.”

Future accepted multiple awards including one for his ex Ciara’s “Body Party,” which he co-wrote and produced.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis earned Song of the Year for “Can’t Hold Us” and Lil Wayne was crowned Songwriter of the Year.