The Weeknd was named songwriter of the year at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards, also receiving two most-performed song awards for Blinding Lights and Heartless – making The Weeknd a 13-time ASCAP Award winner.
Held April 12-15 across all ASCAP socials, the ASCAP Awards invite fans and friends into the homes and studios of its winners for intimate performances, acceptance speeches, unboxing videos and studio tours.
Meanwhile, Post Malone’s hit, Circles was named song of the year. The song spent 39 weeks in the top 10, which was the record-holder until Blinding Lights surpassed it.
Warner Chappell Music was named publisher of the year for the 14th time – only EMI can beat this record, with 17 wins in total.
Paul Williams, ASCAP chairman of the board and president, Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, and John Titta, executive vice president and chief creative officer, opened the event with a special video introduction on ASCAP’s social media.
The celebration kicked off with an Instagram Live interview and performance from Phil Plested, co-writer of Lewis Capaldi’s Before You Go.
On April 14 at 6:00 p.m. ET, Madison Emiko Love and Leland (Brett Leland McLaughlin), co-writers of Ava Max’s Kings & Queens, will take the ASCAP Instagram Live stage to tell the story behind the track.
The social media events will also include an exclusive performance of Die From a Broken Heart from Maddie & Tae.
The 2021 ASCAP Pop Music Awards recognise the songwriters and publishers behind the publisher's most performed songs of the past year.