The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers [ASCAP] gave Timbaland its Songwriter of the Year award during their 25th annual Pop Music Awards on Wednesday [April 9]. Timbaland had a hand in producing nine of ASCAP‘s 60 most performed songs and 12 of the songs listed in Billboard‘s annual Hot 100 singles for 2007. Timbaland has also been awarded the ASCAPRhythm and Soul Songwriter of the Year on two previous occasions.
While Hip Hop has been hit the hardest by the decline in physical music sales, Timbaland’s award marks an increased presence in the Pop market in the latter part of the last decade. Since 2003, the Songwriter of The Year award has gone to Nelly, 50 Cent [who won in both 2004 and 2006], Scott Storch and Jermaine Dupri. The increase of Hip Hop artists in the Pop market could also be a likely explanation for the recent spike in publishing royalties. In spite of decreased album sales, ASCAP also announced an increase in royalty payouts in 2007. Royalty totals increased to $741 million, which marks a 9 percent improvement over the 2006 total of $680 million.
