BMI Celebrates Benson Boone as Champion, Honors Taylor Swift & More (Photos)

The 2025 BMI Pop Awards, held at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California, shone a spotlight on the most remarkable achievements in songwriting. This year’s ceremony recognized the extraordinary contributions of artists and songwriters who have shaped the pop music landscape.

One of the night’s most significant honors went to the GRAMMY-nominated artist and songwriter Benson Boone, who was presented with the prestigious BMI Champion Award. His rapid rise in the music industry, marked by his unique artistry and immense global success, was celebrated by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill. Boone was praised for his boundless talent and the inspiring creativity that has propelled his music to new heights.

In his heartfelt acceptance speech, Boone acknowledged the collaborative efforts of his team, family, and co-writers, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in his journey. “This is not my award, this is for everyone who has been a part of working on this project,” he shared. Boone later captivated the audience with an intimate performance of his hits, including “Slow it Down,” “Drunk in My Mind,” and the chart-topping “Beautiful Things,” bringing the crowd to their feet.

Boone’s success didn’t stop with the Champion Award—he also earned two BMI Pop Awards for his hits “Beautiful Things” and “Slow It Down,” both co-written with Jack LaFrantz. The duo’s collaboration has clearly resonated with listeners, with nearly 10 billion streams and multiple award nominations, including a 2025 GRAMMY nod for Best New Artist.

Other big winners of the evening included Teddy Swims, whose song “Lose Control” earned the coveted BMI Pop Song of the Year Award. Written by Swims alongside Julian Bunetta, Marco “Infamous” Rodriguez, and Mikky Ekko, the hit spent a record-breaking 60 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number one in March 2024.

Taylor Swift claimed the title of BMI’s Pop Songwriter of the Year for the second consecutive year. Swift was honored for penning seven of the most-performed songs of the past year, including hits like “Don’t Blame Me” and “Is It Over Now?” Her continued dominance in the industry solidifies her place as one of the most influential songwriters of her generation, having won 72 BMI Awards to date.

Universal Music Publishing Group was named Publisher of the Year, representing 28 of the previous year’s top pop songs, including contributions from Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, and Eminem, among others.

The event also recognized 61 first-time winners, including J. Cole for “All My Life” by Lil Durk and Morgan Wallen for his first BMI Pop award for “I Had Some Help.” It was a night of celebrating the talent and collaboration that continues to drive the global pop music scene forward.

In a heartfelt conclusion, BMI continued its tradition of honoring the diverse array of songwriters, producers, and publishers who help shape the future of music. The 2025 BMI Pop Awards not only celebrated past achievements but also set the stage for the next wave of musical innovation and success.