Awards for musical 'heroes'

Daryl Hall and John Oates, Ruben Blades and Nile Rodgers were tonight hailed as “heroes” by the Recording Academy for their musical contributions.

The artists, along with rapper-producer Timbaland, were being feted by the New York chapter of the Recording Academy at the eighth annual Heroes Awards.

The Recording Academy hands out the annual Grammy Awards. The Heroes Awards honour the achievements of “outstanding individuals whose creative talents and accomplishments cross all musical boundaries and who are integral to the vitality of the music community”.

Rodgers, the producer/songwriter and former member of the disco group Chic, said in a statement: “Especially as a New Yorker, receiving the New York chapter of the NARAS Heroes Award is one of the coolest things that’s happened in my long-standing career.”

Timbaland, who has produced artists ranging from Missy Elliott to Justin Timberlake, receives a special Heroes Impact Award, given for special achievement in the early stages of an individual’s career.