Nas will receive the BMI Icon Award at the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.
The legendary Grammy-winning rapper will be honored at the private ceremony in Los Angeles on August 26.
BMI said on Wednesday (July 29) that Nas is being recognized for his songwriting and his influence on hip-hop.
The evening will be hosted by BMI CEO Mike O’Neill, EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer Mike Steinberg, and VP, Creative, Atlanta Catherine Brewton.
BMI will also honor the songwriters, producers and publishers behind the past year’s 35 most-performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs from its repertoire of more than 25 million works.
Its R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter, Song, Producer and Publisher of the Year, along with its Top Producers, will be named during the ceremony.
“Nas has both defined and elevated hip-hop through his groundbreaking storytelling, lyrical excellence and a lasting commitment to artistic innovation,” said Brewton.
“From his earliest works to the music mogul that he is today, Nas is a true icon whose legacy continues to inspire artists, influence culture and shape the sound of hip-hop for generations.”
“We are also looking forward to honoring all this year’s award-winning songwriters, producers, and publishers,” Brewton added. “It’s going to be a night to remember.”
Born Nasir Jones, Nas grew up in the Queensbridge housing project in New York City.
“Nas has both defined and elevated hip-hop through his groundbreaking storytelling, lyrical excellence and a lasting commitment to artistic innovation”
Catherine Brewton
He released his debut album, Illmatic, in 1994.
The record featured production from DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip and L.E.S.
It was inducted into the Library of Congress‘ National Recording Registry in 2021.
Nas has since released 17 studio albums and sold more than 35 million records worldwide.
He won his first GRAMMY Award in 2021, when King’s Disease was named Best Rap Album.
The album was produced by Hit-Boy, who has helmed several of the rapper’s subsequent releases.
According to BMI, Nas has received 17 GRAMMY nominations across his career.
Away from music, Nas has backed technology companies through QueensBridge Venture Partners, the venture capital firm he co-founded in 2014.
Its early investments included Coinbase, Lyft, Dropbox, Ring, Robinhood and Pluto TV.
He is also co-owner of Mass Appeal, the award-winning media company and record label that has evolved into a leading force in music, film, television, publishing, and live experiences.
Universal Music Group took a stake in the company through a $6 million funding round in 2017.
Mass Appeal signed a global distribution deal with Universal Music Group in 2018.
The label has since expanded into markets including India and Pakistan.
In becoming a BMI Icon, Nas joins past recipients including James Brown, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne and Babyface.
Babyface received the honor at the 2024 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, and Lil Wayne was named a BMI Icon at the 2023 edition.
BMI represents the public performance rights in more than 25 million works from over 1.5 million songwriters, composers and publishers.
The performing rights organization was acquired by a group led by New Mountain Capital in a deal that closed in February 2024.Music Business Worldwide
Nas, the iconic Grammy-winning rapper, is set to receive the BMI Icon Award at the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, scheduled for August 26 in Los Angeles. BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) announced this decision on July 29, highlighting Nas’s significant contributions to songwriting and his profound influence on the hip-hop genre.
The award ceremony will be hosted by BMI’s CEO, Mike O’Neill, along with EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer, Mike Steinberg, and VP, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton. Alongside honoring Nas, BMI will also recognize the songwriters, producers, and publishers of the 35 most-performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs from the past year, showcasing its extensive repertoire of over 25 million works. The event will include the announcement of the R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter, Song, Producer, and Publisher of the Year, as well as the Top Producers of the year.
Catherine Brewton expressed admiration for Nas, stating, “Nas has both defined and elevated hip-hop through his groundbreaking storytelling, lyrical excellence, and a lasting commitment to artistic innovation.” She emphasized that Nas’s work has not only established his status as a music mogul but also served as an inspiration for countless artists and has significantly shaped the sound of hip-hop for generations. Brewton also mentioned her anticipation for the overall event, promising it would be “a night to remember.”
Nas, born Nasir Jones, hails from the Queensbridge housing project in New York City. He burst onto the music scene with his debut album, « Illmatic, » released in 1994, which featured production from renowned figures like DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, and L.E.S. « Illmatic » has since been recognized for its cultural significance, being inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2021. Over his career, Nas has released 17 studio albums and has sold over 35 million records worldwide.
In 2021, Nas won his first GRAMMY Award when his album « King’s Disease » was awarded Best Rap Album. This album was produced by Hit-Boy, who has worked on many of Nas’s subsequent projects. Throughout his career, Nas has garnered a total of 17 GRAMMY nominations.
Beyond his musical endeavors, Nas has ventured into technology investments through QueensBridge Venture Partners, a venture capital firm he co-founded in 2014. The firm has made early investments in several high-profile companies, including Coinbase, Lyft, Dropbox, Ring, Robinhood, and Pluto TV. Furthermore, Nas is a co-owner of Mass Appeal, an award-winning media company and record label that has expanded its influence across music, film, television, publishing, and live experiences. In 2017, Mass Appeal secured a $6 million investment from Universal Music Group, which later led to a global distribution deal in 2018, enabling the label to extend its reach into markets such as India and Pakistan.
By receiving the BMI Icon Award, Nas joins a prestigious list of past recipients that includes legendary artists such as James Brown, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne, and Babyface. Notably, Babyface received the honor at the 2024 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, and Lil Wayne was recognized as a BMI Icon in 2023.
BMI is a prominent performing rights organization that manages public performance rights for over 25 million works created by more than 1.5 million songwriters, composers, and publishers. In February 2024, BMI was acquired by a group led by New Mountain Capital, marking a significant change in the organization’s ownership structure.
In summary, Nas’s recognition as a BMI Icon is a testament to his enduring impact on hip-hop and his continued innovation in music and business. His contributions have not only shaped the genre but have also inspired future generations of artists. The upcoming BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards promise to be a celebration of his legacy and the achievements of numerous other talented individuals in the industry.
