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Nas is set to receive one of music’s most iconic honors next month.
The Grammy-winning rap icon will be presented with the BMI Icon Award at the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards in Los Angeles, recognizing more than three decades of influence on hip-hop and music at large.
BMI Vice President of Creative Atlanta Catherine Brewton credited the Queensbridge legend for shaping generations of artists through his “groundbreaking storytelling, lyrical excellence and [a] lasting commitment to artistic innovation.”
Since bursting onto the scene with his landmark 1994 debut Illmatic, Nas has remained one of rap’s most respected lyricists. The album, produced by DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, Q-Tip and L.E.S., is widely regarded as one of hip-hop’s greatest releases and was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2021.
Over the course of his career, Nas has released 17 studio albums, sold more than 35 million records worldwide and earned 17 Grammy nominations, winning Best Rap Album in 2021 for King’s Disease.
Outside of music, the rapper has built an impressive business portfolio through QueensBridge Venture Partners, which invested early in companies including Coinbase, Lyft, Dropbox, Ring, Robinhood and Pluto TV. He’s also a co-owner of Mass Appeal, the media company and record label behind numerous music, film and publishing projects.
Nas now joins an elite list of BMI Icon Award recipients that includes Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, Janet Jackson, James Brown, Babyface, The Jacksons and more.
