Alicia Keys is the NMPA’s new Songwriter Icon

The National Music Publishers’ Association today announced that Alicia Keys will receive its Songwriter Icon Award will be presented to 15-time Grammy winning, multi-platinum songwriter, producer, arranger and musician Alicia Keys.

Keys — pianist currently seen weekly as a coach on NBC’s The Voice — will be honored not only for her credits as a music creator, but for her role as an inspirational figure to millions said NMPA President & CEO David Israelite in making the announcement.

“We are incredibly excited to honor the legendary Alicia Keys. She’s a songwriter icon, but she is also an icon of confidence and encouragement to all,” Israelite said. “Through her writing, performing, philanthropy, mentoring and advocacy for fair compensation for her fellow songwriters, she is a true force for good in our industry and beyond. She wrote the phenomenal ‘Songs in A Minor’ as a teenager and hasn’t slowed down since. Keys is synonymous with the anthem for New York City, and we could not be more privileged to present her with our Songwriter Icon Award in the Empire State this June.”

In February, Variety reported that Keys is considering changing labels after 17 years with Sony Music, where she is currently signed to RCA Records, which is fighting to keep the multi-talent.; Warner Music Group is said to among those wooing her.

Keys’ last studio album, Here, was released in 2016 and sold only 120,000 units, as compared to the millions moved by her five prior releases. Her best-seller remains her 2001 debut, Songs in A Minor, which has moved more than 15 million units.

This year’s annual NMPA meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 13 at The Edison Ballroom in Times Square. NMPA’s largest event brings together the entire music industry each spring to celebrate music creators and discuss the most relevant issues affecting the industry.

Founded in 1917, the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) is the trade association representing all American music publishers and their songwriting partners. Its mission is to protect, promote, and advance the interests of music’s creators by representing the interests of publishers large and small.