Cardi B is first woman to win ASCAP Songwriter of the Year for second year in a row

Cardi B has made history at this year’s ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, taking home Songwriter of the Year for the second year in a row. The rapper was honored based on songs “Money,” “Please Me” and “Ring,” and she is now the first female songwriter to win songwriter of the year twice (whether consecutively or not) at the annual event.

Only three women have previously won the category; Kandi Burruss (2000), Alicia Keys (2005) and Mary J. Blige (2007) each took the award once, according to Billboard.

The Rhythm & Soul Awards, which honors top songwriters in R&B, hip-hop and gospel, began Wednesday and runs through Friday. This is ASCAP’s fourth awards event this year and is being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video introduction, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams said: “As the world stumbles and tries to pick itself up, we must try to offer hope, and healing, and a vision for a better future. That’s where your music comes in. I believe in my very core that your music has the power to lift our spirits, move hearts and minds and inspire real change. That deserves to be honored and celebrated.”

Meek Mill’s “Going Bad” won Top Rap Song while “Suge” by DaBaby won Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song. “Deliver Me (This is my Exodus),” written by Desmond Davis, Marshon Lewis and Rob “Code Lei” Woolridge, won Top Gospel Song and Universal Music Publishing Group took home Publisher of the Year for songs “Before I Let Go” (Beyoncé), “Hot Girl Summer” (Megan Thee Stallion) and “My Type” (Saweetie).

ASCAP says it will be posting exclusive photos, videos, acceptance speeches and more onto the official ASCAP Twitter and Instagram pages from Wednesday to Friday.

There will be performances from winners Anthony Brown (“Blessings on Blessings”) and Nicole Bus (“You”) while Jermaine Dupri, a previous ASCAP Founders Award winner, will host an after-party on Friday on Instagram.