ASCAP to honor Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and D-Nice

NEW YORK (AP) — Three acts who kept music alive during the worldwide pandemic will be honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers later this month.

The performing rights organization ASCAP announced Tuesday that Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and D-Nice will receive the ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award — a thank you for creating the uber-popular virtual events “Verzuz” and “Club Quarantine,” which became cultural and groundbreaking affairs celebrating music and community during the pandemic.

The hitmaking producers will be honored at the virtual 2021 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, to take place on June 22.

“Verzuz” has attracted millions of viewers online, including Michelle Obama, and has celebrated the life and legacy of a number of Black artists, including Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Earth, Wind & Fire, the Isley Brothers, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Babyface, Teddy Riley, Brandy, Monica, SWX and Xscape.

Obama also attended “Club Quarantine,” which featured D-Nice playing music live on Instagram while being stuck at home as gigs dried up. The hours-long set became a white-hot success, and as a result, D-Nice was named entertainer of the year at the 2021 NAACP Image Awards, besting Viola Davis, Regina King, Trevor Noah and Tyler Perry.

All three acts were honored at the 2020 Webby Awards: D-Nice was named the 2020 Webby artist of the year, while Timbaland and Swizz Beatz earned the Webby Crush the Internet Award.

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