Nas Receives Icon Award at the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards

Congratulations are in order for the one and only Nas “Nasir” Jones. Earlier this week, (Aug. 26), “God’s Son” received the BMI Icon Award, the evening’s highest honor, for his musical influence and songwriting in hip-hop and beyond. During the ceremony — held at Los Angeles’ Fairmont Century Plaza — award-winning singer-songwriter Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds presented the King’s Disease artist with the award. In his acceptance speech, a grateful Nas reminisced about the days when Babyface’s music was a cultural staple.

“When I bought my first .22 caliber gun illegally, Babyface’s music was playing religiously. The rap albums was great, but Babyface’s music was hustler music,” he recalled. “We would fight over Babyface [cassette] tapes. This is fact. You got us through it. This is more than anything I could’ve ever imagined. That Babyface, Kenneth Edmonds, the greatest writer since Smokey Robinson, said my name. Thank you. I appreciate you, my King. You still look 17. God bless you.

“Staring at records on wax, I saw the three letters: B-M-I. No matter the legends I was listening to, I saw BMI. Never in a million years did I think I would be partners with BMI. It just shows you that the things you dream about could really happen.”

Jones also shared stories about coming up on hip-hop and R&B and what it meant to him and many people in the community. Before Nas accepted his award, Evelyn “Champagne” King delivered a stand-worthy performance of “I’m In Love” and “Love Come Down,” which were sampled on Nas and Capone-N-Noreaga’s 1997 collaborative hit track, “Calm Down.” Large Professor also hyped the crowd with a DJ mix of some of Nas’ greatest hits.

BMI also paid tribute to the best in R&B and hip-hop. Kendrick Lamar was honored with the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year award for co-writing six of the previous year’s most performed songs, including “30 For 30,” “hey now,” “peekaboo,” “squabble up,” and “tv off.” Lamar, alongside BMI co-writers Matthew “MTech” Bernard, Atia “INK” Boggs, Sam Dew, Roselilah (BUMA), Mark “Sounwave” Spears, and SZA, also received the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year honor for his song “luther.”

Producer O Lil Angel received BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year award for his hit-making work on songs like “Spider-Man Superman,” “Somebody Loves Me,” as well as production credits on Drake’s Habibti, Made of Honour, and Iceman albums (“What Did I Miss,” “Which One,” and “Janice STFU”). D’Mile, Michael “Finatik” Mulé and Isaac “Zac” De Boni of FNZ, and Jahaan Sweet were also named top producers during the ceremony.

The evening also included performances from Belly Gang Kushington and YKNiece, who kicked off the night with “Friend Do Remix,” “Take Me Thru Dere” and “WTF Goin.” Real Boston Richey sang his single “Help Me.” Sinners star Miles Caton performed his song, “Lean On.” Tone Stith serenaded the audience with his single “Fly.” Tiana Major9 performed “Collide” and her latest single “Heaven.”

The late great Tay Keith‘s family posthumously accepted the 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year award on his behalf. Sony Music Publishing was named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Publisher of the Year for representing 27 of the previous year’s most-performed songs. See pics from the event — hosted by BMI CEO Mike O’Neill, BMI EVP & Chief Revenue & Creative Officer Mike Steinberg and BMI VP, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton — below. The full list of honorees can be viewed here.