(New York, NY – August 26, 2021) SESAC celebrated songwriters and music publishers behind this year’s most-performed pop songs with its second virtual awards celebration of 2021. Pop Music Awards honorees were announced on the organization’s website and across social media platforms with exclusive video content.
“We are so thrilled to once again recognize the extraordinary talents of our songwriters in the pop genre,” said John Josephson, Chairman and CEO, SESAC Rights Management. “We are always grateful for their compelling songwriting and passion for their work, and we look forward to being together in-person again soon.”
“Although we could not be together to celebrate, we are honored to be able to recognize the outstanding achievements of some of our most prolific songwriters,” added Sam Kling, SVP of Creative Operations, SESAC. “So much incredible music has come out of this past year, and we are immensely proud and grateful for our wonderfully talented affiliates.”
Jack Harlow was this year’s top honoree – awarded with the title of Songwriter of the Year, as well as Song of the Year for “WHATS POPPIN’,” published by Sony Music Publishing and Harlow Happenings, and co-written and performed by Harlow. Universal Music Publishing Group was named Publisher of the Year for the second consecutive year.
See below for a full list of winners. Click here for exclusive content from honorees and special guests or visit www.sesac.com.
Songwriter of the Year:
Jack Harlow
Publisher of the Year:
Universal Music Publishing Group
Song of the Year:
“WHATS POPPIN’”
Written and Recorded by Jack Harlow
Published by Sony Music Publishing, Harlow Happenings
PERFORMANCE AWARD WINNERS
“WHATS POPPIN’”
Written by Jack Harlow
Published by Sony Music Publishing, Harlow Happenings
Recorded by Jack Harlow
“BREAK MY HEART”
Written by Andrew Farriss
Published by Universal Music Publishing Group
Recorded by Dua Lipa
“SLIDE”
Written by Keenon ‘YG’ Jackson
Published by 360 Music, Rap Money
Recorded by H.E.R. featuring YG
“LOSE SOMEBODY”
Written by Alysa Vanderheym
Published by Warner Chappell Music, Songs of Rhythm House Black, Vandeezy Songs
Recorded by Kygo & OneRepublic
“THIS CITY”
Written by Sam Fischer
Published by Sony Music Publishing, Nighttime Crowd Publishing
Recorded by Sam Fischer
“KNOW YOUR WORTH”
Written by Jimmy Napes, Guy Lawrence
Published by Universal Music Publishing Group, Concord Music Publishing
Recorded by Khalid x Disclosure
“DON’T WASTE MY TIME”
Written by Bryan Michael Cox, Wilbart “Vedo” McCoy III
Published by Concord Music Publishing, Avex Tunes, WM3 Publishing
Recorded by Usher featuring Ella Mai
“SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK”
Written by Patrick Wimberly
Published by One In Song Together, Kobalt Group Publishing, Patrick Wimberly Publishing
Recorded by Joji
“CAN I”
Written by Bryan Michael Cox
Published by Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by Kehlani featuring Tory Lanez
“JERRY SPRUNGER”
Written by Anthony Woart Jr.
Published by Yerrbeats Publishing
Recorded by Tory Lanez & T-Pain
“TO DIE FOR”
Written by Jimmy Napes
Published by Concord Music Publishing
Recorded by Sam Smith
“HOT GIRL SUMMER”
Written by Georges Olivier Marie Koffie Konan
Published by Universal Musica Latina
Recorded by Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign
“BROKE IN A MINUTE”
Written by Anthony Woart Jr.
Published by Sony Music Publishing, Yerrbeats Publishing
Recorded by Tory Lanez
“IN MY BED”
Written by Ryan Toby
Published by Kobalt Group Publishing, Hannah Eight Music
Recorded by Rotimi featuring Wale
“OH YEAH!”
Written by Billie Joe Armstrong, Frank E. Wright III, Michael Pritchard
Published by Warner Chappell Music, Green Daze Music
Recorded by Green Day
“TYLER HERRO”
Written by Jack Harlow
Published by Sony Music Publishing, Harlow Happenings
Recorded by Jack Harlow
“ENJOY YOURSELF (REMIX)”
Written by Damini “Burna Boy” Ogulu, Rico Love
Published by Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Rico Love Is The Best Rapper Alive
Recorded by Pop Smoke featuring Burna Boy
“ENJOY YOURSELF”
Written by Rico Love
Published by Warner Chappell Music, Rico Love Is The Best Rapper Alive
Recorded by Pop Smoke featuring Karol G
“PATIENCE”
Written by Axl Rose
Published by Universal Music Publishing Group, Black Frog Music
Recorded by Chris Cornell
“YOUR LOVE (DÉJÀ VU)”
Written by Dave Bayley
Published by Beggars Songs
Recorded by Glass Animals
“BLACK PARADE”
Written by Derek James Dixie
Published by Prokizum Muzik Publishing
Recorded by Beyoncé
“YOU GOT IT”
Written by Wilbart “Vedo” McCoy III
Published by Concord Music Publishing, WM3 Publishing
Recorded by VEDO
“BIGGER THAN LIFE”
Written by Dez Wright
Published by Dez Wright Beats
Recorded by Lil Uzi Vert
“LAY YOUR HEAD ON ME”
Written by Marcus Mumford
Published by Universal Music Publishing Group
Recorded by Major Lazer featuring Marcus Mumford
“SWAG”
Written by Keenon ‘YG’ Jackson
Published by 360 Music, Rap Money
Recorded by YG
“LEVI HIGH”
Written by DaniLeigh
Published by Universal Music Publishing Group
Recorded by DaniLeigh featuring DaBaby
“HEAT WAVES”
Written by Dave Bayley
Published by Beggars Songs
Recorded by Glass Animals
“UP ALL NIGHT”
Written by Chrome Sparks
Published by Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by Khalid
“BLUE WORLD”
Written by Guy Lawrence
Published by Universal Music Publishing Group
Recorded by Mac Miller
