Nas’ decades of storytelling and influence on hip-hop have earned him one of BMI’s highest distinctions. The Grammy-winning rapper received the BMI Icon Award during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards in Los Angeles, recognizing his prolific songwriting and lasting impact on music.
via Vibe:
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.”
More than three decades after Illmatic introduced his storytelling to the world, Nas continues to leave his mark on hip-hop. The BMI Icon Award adds another major honor to a career defined by lyricism, longevity and influence across generations.
