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Mariah Carey Receives BMI Icon Award

Superstar singer receives songwriting honor Friday night in ceremony at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills

By Brandi Fowler Sep 08, 2012 11:07 PMTags
Watch: Mariah Carey Receives Music Icon Award

Here's more proof Mariah Carey is one triumphant lady. 

The superstar songstress took home BMI's Icon Award at the publishing association's annual Urban Awards Friday night in recognition of her songwriting career.

Although the singer and American Idol judge arrived fashionably late (about an hour after the show began), Carey looked stunning in a body-hugging black dress.

"I'm so humbled by this moment because a lot of people still don't know I write my own songs," Carey said upon accepting her award.

The hitmaker gushed to E! News about the impending honor before the ceremony:

"It's so great," she said. "I've been writing songs my whole life, I love it. It's my favorite form of expression and release. Tonight's not really about diva dramatics or gossipy moments, it's about the music and that's what's important to me."

Of course, there's something else that's important to her, which she couldn't help mentioning, sharing her life with hubby Nick Cannon and "Dem Babies, as we call 'em…these two amazing people we get to hang out with."

Speaking of amazing people, who else was on hand at the show? 

After honoring the late Chris LightyNas opened the awards show with a medley that included "Daughters."

And Jermaine Dupri along with singers JoeEric BenetKaren Clark Sheard and Fantasia later hit the stage to pay tribute to Carey with a round of songs that included "Hero" and "One Sweet Day."

Other big winners of the night included Drake and Lil Wayne, who were both MIA from the show, but shared honors for Songwriter of the Year. Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" won Song of the Year.