Some awards recognize what an artist accomplished during a particular year. Others recognize what they have meant to the culture over the course of a lifetime. Wednesday night at the Fairmont Century Plaza, the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards managed to do both.
BMI brought together generations of artists, songwriters, producers and music executives for its annual celebration of the most-performed music of the previous year. Kendrick Lamar was named R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year, “luther” earned Song of the Year, O Lil Angel was named Producer of the Year and Sony Music Publishing took home Publisher of the Year. But the night’s biggest honor belonged to Nas, who received the BMI Icon Award in recognition of a career and catalog that have helped shape hip-hop for more than three decades.
As someone who grew up on hip-hop, seeing Nas honored in this way felt especially fitting. His influence stretches far beyond the records that made him one of the genre’s most respected lyricists. From Illmatic through the many chapters that followed, Nas has represented longevity, storytelling and the ability to evolve without losing the qualities that made listeners connect with him in the first place. The tribute reflected that history while also showing just how far his influence reaches.
The ceremony also made room for the next generation of performers. Belly Gang Kushington and YKNiece opened with “Friend Do Remix,” “Take Me Thru Dere” and “WTF Goin,” while Real Boston Richey performed “Help Me.” Miles Caton showcased his baritone with “Lean On,” Tone Stith brought a smoother R&B moment with “Fly,” and Tiana Major9 performed “Collide” and “Heaven.”
Belly Gang Kushington performs during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)
Evelyn “Champagne” King brought the room to its feet with “I’m In Love” and “Love Come Down,” the latter of which was sampled on Capone-N-Noreaga’s 1997 track “Calm Down” featuring Nas. Babyface, himself a BMI Icon honoree in 2024, followed by recognizing Nas as a pioneer, trailblazer, poet and philosopher. Large Professor then helped close out the musical portion of the tribute with a DJ mix highlighting some of Nas’ greatest records. When Nas finally took the stage to accept the award, his speech brought the moment full circle. He recalled being a young music fan staring at vinyl records and repeatedly seeing the letters BMI, never imagining that one day he would become a partner of the organization, much less stand onstage receiving its highest honor. “It just shows you that the things you dream about could really happen,” Nas told the crowd.
He also turned the attention back toward the other creators in the room, explaining that their work continues to inspire him. It was an appropriate sentiment on a night designed not only to celebrate established legends, but also the writers and producers responsible for where R&B and hip-hop are headed next. Nas now joins a BMI Icon class that includes James Brown, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne and Babyface. That bridge between generations remained one of the strongest themes throughout the evening.
Kendrick Lamar continued his remarkable run by earning BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year after co-writing six of the previous year’s most-performed songs: “30 For 30,” “hey now,” “peekaboo,” “squabble up,” “tv off” and “luther.” The SZA-assisted “luther” also earned BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year. The record spent 23 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, breaking the previous 22-week record held by Lamar’s own “Not Like Us.”
The recognition extended well beyond the night’s headline awards, with BMI celebrating the songwriters and producers behind 35 of the previous year’s most-performed R&B and hip-hop songs in the United States. Among them were familiar names including Sounwave, Sean Momberger, J. White Did It, Cardo, RIOTUSA, D.K. the Punisher, Bandplay, D Phelps, Bizzy Crook, A1, TURBO, and Eric Hudson. The group also reflected a generation making its mark behind the scenes, with 63 creators earning their first BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Award
With the ceremony taking place in Los Angeles, it was also great to see several hometown names represented among the winners. Fellow LA natives AZ Chike and Dody6 earned recognition through two of Lamar’s biggest records from the past year, with AZ Chike featured on “peekaboo” and Dody6 appearing on “hey now.” Both records have become part of a period in which Los Angeles rap has once again found itself at the center of the larger hip-hop conversation. Seeing artists from the city share in that success made their recognition feel even more fitting with the awards being held at the Century Plaza. Another LA native, Khris Riddick-Tynes, was recognized for his work as a writer and producer on Kehlani’s “Folded.” Riddick-Tynes has quietly built an impressive résumé behind the boards and with his songwriting, and his recognition was another reminder that some of Los Angeles’ biggest contributions to music are coming from both sides of the microphone.
Los Angeles songwriter and producer Matthew “MTech” Bernard also had plenty to celebrate, earning BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year as a co-writer of Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther.” The honor continued a strong 2026 for MTech, who was also recognized as a co-writer when “luther” earned BMI Pop Song of the Year earlier this year, with his MTech Music publishing company receiving additional recognition at the BMI Pop Awards.
Producer O Lil Angel was another major winner, receiving Producer of the Year for a body of work that included collaborations with Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR. D’Mile, Michael “Finatik” Mulé and Isaac “Zac” De Boni of FNZ, and Jahaan Sweet were also recognized among BMI’s top producers. Sony Music Publishing earned Publisher of the Year after representing 27 of the previous year’s most-performed songs, including “Timeless,” “Like Him,” “Yukon,” “25” and “luther.” In total, BMI honored the songwriters and producers behind the 35 most-performed R&B and hip-hop songs in the United States, with 63 creators becoming first-time BMI Award winners.
SONY Music Publishing wins Publisher of the Year award at BMI R&B/ Hip Hop Awards (Photo by Lester Cohen/ Getty Images for BMI)
One of the evening’s more reflective moments came when BMI remembered the late Tay Keith, describing the songwriter and producer as a friend, mentor and brother to many in the room. His family came onstage to accept his 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year award on his behalf after the honor was announced at last year’s ceremony.
Before Wednesday’s ceremony, songwriter and producer Rijah Banerjee was also presented with the inaugural BMI Foundation Babyface Award, a grant and mentorship program created for emerging creators working across R&B, hip-hop, soul and music of the African diaspora.
Rijah Banerjee with her inaugural BMI Foundation Babyface Award. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)
For genres that have spent much of its history fighting to have its artistry, songwriting and cultural impact fully recognized, there was something meaningful about watching one room celebrate so many different stages of the journey.
There were emerging artists getting their moment, current hitmakers being recognized for the records dominating today and hometown talent continuing to show why Los Angeles remains such an important part of the R&B and hip-hop landscape. At the center of it all was the New Yorker Nas, receiving his flowers while he could stand onstage and appreciate them. More than 30 years after introducing the world to Queensbridge through his music, Nas is still here, still creating and still inspiring the generations that followed him. On Wednesday night in Los Angeles, hip-hop had another opportunity to tell him what his work has meant in return.
L.A. Reid, Nas and Babyface attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)
