Mariah Carey accepts Icon award

BEVERLY HILLS (AP) — Mariah Carey was late to the BMI Urban Music Awards, where she was the guest of honor, but that didn’t stop other artists from literally singing her praises.

Fantasia Barrino and Eric Benet were among those who serenaded the star with her own hits. Benet performed One Sweet Day and the former American idol sang Hero during the private ceremony at the Saban Theatre, where writers, producers and publishers of the year’s top urban hits were recognized recently.

Barrino stepped off stage and stood right in front of Carey in the audience’s front row as she wailed the final words of the song. When she finished, they embraced.

BMI chief Del Bryant presented Carey with the music-rights organization’s Icon Award for her outstanding songwriting that has resulted in 18 No. 1 singles and more than 200 million albums sold.

Bryant called her “an unparalleled musical superstar” and “the greatest singer in history.”

He also endorsed her new position as a judge in American Idol.

“Who knows more about musical artistry and song selection than Mariah Carey?” Bryant asked.

“Sorry, Randy, didn’t see you there,” he added, jabbing at Carey collaborator and longtime Idol judge Randy Jackson.