On September 17, SESAC gathered the music industry at the W Hotel in Hollywood for its annual awards night, celebrating songwriters, producers, and publishers behind 2024’s most-performed hits. This marked the fourth year the event was held in Los Angeles.
The spotlight was firmly on Ariana Grande, who had a historic evening. She was crowned Songwriter of the Year and also received Song of the Year for “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love).” The track, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, became Ariana’s seventh song to open at the chart’s top spot, breaking the record for the most number-one debuts by a female artist.
The song’s publisher, Universal Music Publishing Group, took home Publisher of the Year, also earning recognition for their role in hits like Linkin Park’s “The Emptiness Machine” and Coldplay’s “We Pray” featuring Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, and TINI.
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Producers Dez Wright and The Legendary Traxster shared the Producer of the Year honor. Both were celebrated for their expansive work with artists such as Travis Scott, Future, Beyoncé, and Megan Thee Stallion.
The evening also paid tribute to creativity and legacy. SESAC’s Chief Creative Officer Sam Kling praised the dedication of songwriters and publishers. He also announced posthumous Legacy Awards for James Leach and John Sweeney, recognizing their lasting impact on SESAC and the broader music industry.
The event was hosted by SESAC songwriter Tamara Jade, who returned as MC for the third year. Industry leaders in attendance included Kling, SESAC President & COO Scott Jungmichel, SVP Mario Prins, and VP Diana Akin Scarfo.
Major Award Highlights
Songwriter of the Year: Ariana Grande
Song of the Year: “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” — written and performed by Ariana Grande, published by Universal Music Publishing Group
Publisher of the Year: Universal Music Publishing Group
Producers of the Year: The Legendary Traxster & Dez Wright
Winning Songs & Writers
“I Am Not Okay” — Jelly Roll (Casey Brown)
“The Boy Is Mine” — Ariana Grande
“Carnival” — ¥$: Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign ft. Rich The Kid & Playboi Carti (The Legendary Traxster)
“The Emptiness Machine” — Linkin Park (Emily Armstrong)
“New Drop” — Don Toliver (Dez Wright)
“Wacced Out Murals” — Kendrick Lamar (Dahi)
“Heavy Is The Crown” — Linkin Park (Emily Armstrong)
“Hello Miss Johnson” — Jack Harlow (Jack Harlow, Clay Harlow)
“II Most Wanted” — Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus (Andrew DeRoberts)
“We Pray” — Coldplay ft. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & TINI (Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu)
“Field Trip” — ¥$: Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign ft. Playboi Carti, Kodak Black & Don Toliver (The Legendary Traxster, Dez Wright)
“Fall Fast In Love” — Rod Wave (Felix “Flexondatrack” Govaerts)
“Love Me Not” — Ravyn Lenae (Dahi)
“Bobby Sox” — Green Day (Billie Joe Armstrong, Michael Ryan Pritchard, Frank E. Wright III)
“Ocean” — Future (Dez Wright)
“No Angels” — Justin Timberlake (Fede Vindver)
“Dopamine” — Sum 41 (Sam Tinnesz)
“Turtle Race” — Rod Wave (Felix Govaerts)
“Apply Pressure” — Rod Wave (Felix Govaerts)
“In the Night” — Childish Gambino ft. Jorja Smith & Amaarae (Dahi)
“Just Us” — Jack Harlow & Doja Cat (Jack Harlow)
“MJ” — Future (Dawoyne “2forwOyNE” Lawson)
“Promotion” — ¥$: Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign ft. Future (The Legendary Traxster)
“Charge Dem Hoes a Fee” — Playboi Carti, Future & Travis Scott (Dez Wright)
“Orlando in Love” — Japanese Breakfast (Michelle Zauner)
“If It Doesn’t Hurt” — Nothing More (Mark Vollelunga, Ben Anderson, Will Hoffman, Jonny Hawkins)
“Angel Song” — Nothing More ft. David Draiman (Mark Vollelunga, Ben Anderson, Jonny Hawkins)
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