Nas Crowned Icon, Kendrick Lamar Honored as Top Songwriter at 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards
"Luther," producer O Lil Angel and Sony Music Publishing also earn prestigious honors.
Nas received the prestigious BMI Icon award at the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards ceremony, stating that he never imagined partnering with BMI. The event took place on August 26 at the Beverly Hills Fairmont Century Plaza. Prior to Nas' honor, R&B/disco diva Evelyn "Champagne" King dazzled the audience with her hits "I'm In Love" and "Love Come Down," the latter of which was sampled in Nas' 1997 track "Calm Down."
The evening featured performances from Belly Gang Kushington, YKNiece, Real Boston Richey, Miles Caton, Tone Stith, Tiana Major9, and Large Professor, who closed the ceremony with a DJ mix of Nas' biggest hits. After acknowledging Babyface and King as important inspirations, Nas praised all the appreciated artists, expressing his gratitude and commitment to streaming their work.
BMI CEO Mike O'Neill, Executive VP & Chief Revenue & Creative Officer Mike Steinberg, and Vice President of Creative/Atlanta Catherine Brewton welcomed the additional award winners. Kendrick Lamar was named the R&B/hip-hop songwriter of the year for co-writing six of the year's most-performed songs, including "Luther," which spent 23 weeks at the top of Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Producer O Lil Angel was acknowledged as R&B/hip-hop producer of the year for his collaborations with Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR and production credits on Drake's albums. D’Mile, Michael "Finatik" Mulé, and Isaac "Zac" De Boni of FNZ and Jahaan Sweet were named top producers. The late Tay Keith was remembered, with his family accepting his 2025 BMI R&B/hip-hop songwriter of the year award on his behalf.
Sony Music Publishing received the award for R&B/hip-hop publisher of the year, representing 27 of last year's most-performed songs, including "Luther" and "Timeless." The BMI Foundation Babyface Award was given to songwriter and producer Rijah Banerjee, marking the beginning of a competitive grant and mentorship program for emerging songwriters and composers of R&B, hip-hop, soul, and other music of the African diaspora.
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