Hip-hop’s past and present are looking pretty damn good.
Nobody really needs an awards show to tell them Kendrick Lamar is one of the best rappers alive, or that Nas is an all-time great.
But when the trophies start stacking up like this, it’s nice to see the recognition land where it’s due.
The 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards took place in Los Angeles this week, with Nas receiving the BMI Icon Award and Kendrick Lamar named Songwriter of the Year.
Two artists from very different eras, both still central to the conversation.
Kendrick took Songwriter of the Year after co-writing six of the previous year’s most-performed tracks, including “squabble up,” “tv off” and “luther.”
“luther,” his collaboration with SZA, also won Song of the Year.
It’s another win in what has already been a huge stretch for Kendrick, and Songwriter of the Year feels especially on point.
Nas, meanwhile, picked up the BMI Icon Award, recognising more than 30 years in hip-hop and a catalogue that starts with Illmatic and barely lets up.
More than 30 years on, he’s still releasing music, still relevant, and still treated as a benchmark for lyricism.
O Lil Angel was also named Producer of the Year, while Sony Music Publishing took Publisher of the Year.
Kendrick and Nas are the obvious centre of the night, though.
One is being recognised for the work he’s doing right now. The other is being honoured for the impact of a career that helped shape the genre.
Not a bad snapshot of hip-hop in 2026.
2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards winners
BMI Icon Award — Nas
Songwriter of the Year — Kendrick Lamar
Song of the Year — Kendrick Lamar & SZA, “luther”
Producer of the Year — O Lil Angel
Publisher of the Year — Sony Music Publishing
