Taylor Swift takes home namesake gong at BMI Pop Awards

Taylor Swift took home her namesake award at the BMI Pop Awards on Tuesday night (10May16).

The 26-year-old singer looked stunning for the occasion at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, opting for a Monique Lhuillier gown, Stuart Weitzman shoes and a stunning array of jewels.

It was a hugely successful evening for the Shake It Off star, who accepted the Taylor Swift Award at the ceremony - an honour presented to creative talent with a global influence on music fans around the world.

She was only the second artist to pick up an award named after her in BMI's 76-year history - Michael Jackson was the first recipient of the Michael Jackson Award in 1990.

Taylor was announced as the winner of the award earlier this year (16), and BMI vice president of writer/publisher relations Barbara Cane said, "Taylor Swift has transformed pop culture through her songs, artistry and indomitable spirit.

"She has had a profound impact, not only musically, but also through her personal conviction and commitment to create a standard that values and respects music for everyone. We felt it appropriate to award Taylor with an honour that is as unique and special as she is."

Taylor, who has previously scooped countless BMI Awards previously, added another gong to her collection as well, after she was named Pop Songwriter of the Year, thanks to penning four of the year's most performed hits - Bad Blood, Blank Space, Style and Wildest Dreams.

The ceremony, hosted by Cane and BMI's President and CEO Mike O'Neill, recognised the writers and publishers of the most-performed pop hits over the past year.

Other winners included Uptown Funk, which was named the Pop Song of the Year and was co-written by Jeff Bhasker, Devon Gallaspy, Trinidad James, Mark Ronson, Lonnie Simmons, Rudy Taylor, Charlie Wilson, Robert Wilson and Ronnie Wilson.

BMI's Pop Publisher of the Year gong went to Sony/ATV, who were responsible for 23 of the year's most performed tracks. And songwriting team Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, who penned hits such as You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling and On Broadway, took home the BMI Icon Award.