T-Pain wins big at BMI Awards

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Sept. 6 (UPI) -- The hip hop singer T-Pain was a top winner at the annual BMI Urban Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., winning songwriter of the year honors.

The "Epiphany" singer was honored by Broadcast Music Inc. for his musical efforts of the last year, including his work with fellow musical artists, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

The performer also made a personal disclosure during Thursday's awards ceremony at the Wilshire Theatre, the newspaper said.

"I lost 40 pounds!" T-Pain, whose real name is Faheem Rasheed Najm, told the assembled crowd.

Meanwhile, former Jackson 5 performer Marlon Jackson was on hand with several of his brothers to accept a BMI Icon award for their career-long musical efforts.

The Times said while pop star Michael Jackson did not join his siblings for the ceremony, singer Janet Jackson was there to personally award her brothers with the honorary award.