ASCAP, the non-profit performance rights organization that collects publishing fees on behalf of songwriters and composers, has announced that it will be giving its annual Founders Award to Sean "Diddy" Combs.
The award, which has previously gone to such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and Dr. Dre, is the organization's highest honor, reserved for "a musical innovator who possesses a unique style of creative genius, which will enrich generations to come," according to ASCAP's website.
In a statement to AllHipHop.com, Diddy struck a humble tone.
"To be recognized for my contributions to music by ASCAP, an organization that represents music creators, is a true honor. All I wanted to do was make people dance and hopefully inspire others to never settle for anything but their best," he said.
The Bad Boy Records impresario will receive the award at ASCAP's 24th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, to be held June 24 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

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