Jermaine Dupri and Ne-Yo to Be Honored at ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards

Songwriter/producer Jermaine Dupri has been putting in more work than the mob when it comes to this here music thing. The guy has over 20 years of hits to his name and has been instrumental in contributing to the careers of megastars like Mariah Carey, Bow Wow and Usher. That’s exactly why he’ll be joining the likes of Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones as the recipient of the ASCAP Founders Award, one of the most prestigious honors that can bestowed upon a songwriter/composer.

Ne-Yo will receive the organization’s Golden Note Award for his impressive industry stats and extraordinary pen game. The R&B-turned-raver-recently-returned-R&Ber can now rep the Golden crew, which includes past honorees Jay Z, Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Mary Mary, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Congrats guys!

Read it at Billboard.

Nas Assists College Grads with the Nas Scholarship Fund

Nas recently announced he’ll be teaming up with educational company Koru to launch the Nas Scholarship Fund, which will help top college grads make a smooth transition from school to successful professional careers (and pay that pimp Sallie Mae). Koru is known for assisting graduates with job training/placement and achieving their career goals, so the Queensbridge MC’s new program will only help them extend their reach. A few lucky students will also get to have Mr. I Can as their own personal life coach in the process. Look at Nas, getting his Oprah on.

Read it at The YBF.

The American Psychology Association Uses Meek Mills Music for Hip-Hop Therapy

Whoever thought that Meek Mill’s over-the-top, ordering-from-the-passengers-seat-at-a-fast-food-drive-thru style of rap would alleviate their stress after a long day of work or a bad episode of family drama? Nobody! However, therapists from the American Psychology Association are using his music (as well as Chief Keef’s) to examine the psyche of Black teens who come from violent urban areas. They’re calling it “hip-hop therapy.” Shrinks survey their patients’ reactions to Milly and Keef’s ratchet rhymes so they can get a better understanding of how they relate to it and how “violence is perpetuated in the Black community.” Hopefully this new “treatment” can help stop the violence in Chicago… and every other ’hood for that matter.

Read it at XXL.