ASCAP Music Awards

United States • New YorkFounded 1984

Annual awards presented by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), founded in 1914. Recognizes songwriters, composers, and publishers across pop, rhythm and soul, country, Latin, film and television, and concert music. First Pop Music Awards held in 1984.

Details

Organizing Body

American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)

Type

Industry Awards

Frequency

Annual (multiple ceremonies per year)

Processes

Nomination Process

No submissions required. ASCAP awards are determined by performance data (radio airplay, streaming, and satellite radio) collected by Luminate Data LLC. Songwriters and publishers do not apply; their songs automatically qualify based on measurable performance metrics.

Voting Process

Awards are data-driven, not voted on by panels. ASCAP uses Luminate data for terrestrial and satellite radio, programmed streams, and on-demand audio streams to identify the most-performed songs of the past year.

The ASCAP Music Awards are annual awards presented by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a performance rights organization founded in 1914. The awards recognize songwriters, composers, and publishers whose works achieved significant public performance across multiple genres. They are best suited for ASCAP members seeking industry recognition based on measurable performance data, not subjective voting. ASCAP holds separate ceremonies for Pop, Rhythm and Soul, Latin, Country, Film and Television, and Concert Music.

Submission and Eligibility Details

ASCAP awards require no application or submission. The process is entirely data-driven:

ASCAP uses Luminate Data LLC to track terrestrial radio, satellite radio, programmed streams, and on-demand audio streams
The most-performed songs of the past year automatically qualify their ASCAP-affiliated writers and publishers
Only ASCAP members are eligible (songwriters belonging to BMI or SESAC cannot win)
ASCAP membership costs $50 for emerging songwriters
Special honors (Vanguard Award, Creative Voice Award, Founders Award, Golden Note Award) are selected by ASCAP leadership

The 2026 ASCAP Pop Music Awards took place on April 30, 2026 in Hollywood. Amy Allen won Pop Songwriter of the Year for co-writing five of ASCAP's most-performed songs, including "APT." (ROSE and Bruno Mars) and Sabrina Carpenter hits "Tears," "Manchild," and "Bed Chem." "Die With a Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars won Pop Song of the Year. Sony Music Publishing won Publisher of the Year for the 10th time. Laufey received the Creative Voice Award.

The 2026 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards took place on June 25, 2026 at The London West Hollywood. Mustard won Songwriter of the Year for Kendrick Lamar's "tv off" and Ella Mai's "Little Things." "luther" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA won R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Song of the Year. Leon Thomas received the Vanguard Award.

The 2026 ASCAP Latin Music Awards took place on May 5, 2026 in Miami. Keityn won Songwriter of the Year for the third time. Romeo Santos won Latin songwriter-artist of the year. "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido" by Karol G won Latin Song of the Year.

Key Benefits for Artists

Data-driven recognition: Awards are based on measurable performance data, not voting panels. A song with significant radio play or streaming can qualify regardless of label affiliation.
Multiple genre ceremonies: Pop, Rhythm and Soul, Latin, Country, and Film and Television ceremonies provide networking opportunities with industry executives specific to each genre.
Royalty infrastructure: ASCAP distributes royalties quarterly to its 900,000+ members, providing a revenue stream separate from the awards.
Career milestone awards: The Vanguard Award (Leon Thomas in 2026), Creative Voice Award (Laufey in 2026), and Founders Award recognize career achievements that independent artists can work toward over time.
No submission cost: Unlike many awards, there is no application fee. Writers simply need ASCAP membership and songs that perform well.

Potential Drawbacks and Things to Consider

ASCAP members only: Songwriters belonging to BMI, SESAC, or GMR cannot win ASCAP awards. You must join ASCAP ($50 annual dues for emerging writers) to be eligible.
Performance bias: The data-driven criteria favor commercially successful songs over artistically significant but less-played works. Independent artists with limited radio play are unlikely to qualify for performance-based categories.
Diluted prestige: Multiple genre-specific ceremonies mean no single "ASCAP Award" carries the prestige of a Grammy. The awards are industry events, not public broadcasts.
Songwriter and publisher focus: The awards recognize writers and publishers, not performers who did not write the material.
Limited media exposure: The ceremonies are invitation-only industry events, not televised broadcasts. Media coverage is primarily within trade publications.