BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards 2026 | BMI Awards

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR WINNERS

#BMIRnBHHAwards

2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards Congratulations

BMI is proud to celebrate the visionaries, creators, and hitmakers continuously redefining R&B and hip-hop culture. This year, we’re thrilled to honor Nas with the BMI Icon Award, recognizing his decades of artistic leadership and indelible impact on music. Throughout the evening, BMI also recognized the creators behind the past year’s 35 most-performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs, as well as announced the Songwriter, Song, Producer, and Publisher of the Year and Top Producers. Congratulations to all our honorees and thank you for shaping today’s musical landscape and inspiring listeners around the world.

2026 Award Winners

BMI ICON AWARD

Nas

Nas stands as one of hip-hop’s most commanding lyricists and storytellers, renowned for his cinematic narrative style, razor-sharp commentary, and timeless microphone presence. Since introducing his debut album Illmatic in 1994, he has amassed a 17-album body of work featuring platinum and multi-platinum staples such as Nastradamus, Stillmatic, God’s Son, and Street’s Disciple. A 16-time GRAMMY nominee, Nas earned his first GRAMMY for Best Rap Album with 2020’s King’s Disease, sparking a critically acclaimed trilogy alongside producer Hit-Boy that concluded with King’s Disease III and 2023’s Magic 3. Beyond his own solo catalog, the Mass Appeal co-founder, executive producer, and media mogul continues to shape culture, curating the historic Legend Has It… project alongside hip-hop legends, and capping the initiative with Light-Years, his long-awaited collaborative album with DJ Premier. For his decades of artistic leadership, narrative brilliance, and unmatched legacy, BMI is proud to honor Nas as our 2026 BMI Icon.

Nas Accepts the BMI Icon Award

SONG OF THE YEAR

luther

Matthew “MTech” Bernard
Atia “INK” Boggs
Sam Dew
Kendrick Lamar
roselilah
Mark “Sounwave” Spears
SZA
BMG Platinum Songs US
Greyscape Songs
MTech Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Ballad
Sony/ATV Songs LLC

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Kendrick Lamar

30 For 30
hey now
luther
peekaboo
squabble up
tv off

PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR

Sony Music Publishing

25 / 30 For 30 / All the Way / Are You Even Real / Dark Thoughts / DEVIL IS A LIE / Folded / Gimme a Hug / Heart Of A Woman / Help Me / hey now / Like Him / Little Things / luther / Mamushi / MUTT / MUTT Remix / peekaboo / Prove It / Residuals / squabble up / Sticky / The Largest / Timeless / tv off / WHISKEY WHISKEY / Yukon /

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

O Lil Angel

TOP PRODUCERS

Isaac “Zac” De Boni
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
Michael “Finatik” Mulé
Jahaan Sweet

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights

Real Boston Richey Performs “Help Me”

Evelyn “Champagne” King Performs “Love Come Down”

Evelyn “Champagne” King Performs “I’m In Love”

Nas (R) accepts The BMI Icon Award from Babyface (L) onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Mike O'Neill, CEO, BMI, Babyface, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Nas, Catherine Brewton, VP, Creative, BMI, Mike Steinberg, EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer, BMI and Wardell Malloy, Assistant VP, Creative, BMI pose onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Nas accepts The BMI Icon Award onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

Rijah Banerjee, poses with the Inaugural BMI Foundation Babyface Award at the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

Nas attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Catherine Brewton, VP, Creative, BMI, Nas, Wardell Malloy, Assistant VP, Creative, BMI and Byron Wright, Executive Director, Creative, BMI Atlanta attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

Catherine Brewton, VP, Creative, BMI speaks onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

Real Boston Richey performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

Tiana Major9 performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

Tone Stith performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

Miles Caton performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

Matthew "MTech" Bernard poses with the BMI’s 2026 R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year Award for "luther" during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

Evelyn "Champagne" King performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

Leon Thomas attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Babyface and L.A. Reid attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Babyface, Leon Thomas and L.A. Reid attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI)

Belly Gang Kushington performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

YKNiece performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Tiana Major9 performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Tone Stith performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Miles Caton performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Babyface speaks onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Nas accepts The BMI Icon Award onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

A.Chic attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

RIOTUSA attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Mariah Martinez and Dana Portalatin attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Turbo attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Matthew “MTech” Bernard attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Tiana Major9 attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

October London attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Tabitha Duncan attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

L.A. Reid attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

BigXthaPlug attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Tone Stith attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

YKNiece attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Miles Caton attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Storm Reid attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Ant Clemons attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Lucky Daye attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Simone Joy Jones attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Trevor Jackson attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Michael Mule and Isaac De Boni attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Dougie F attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Omarion attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Evelyn "Champagne" King attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Justin Barnett a.k.a. "Ocean," Nick Barnett a.k.a. "Nicky Jupiter" and Jerramy Barnett a.k.a. "Goku Love" of Hero the Band attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Elijah Blake attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Bizzy Crook attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Danielle Ponder attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Sean Momberger attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Nas and Mike O'Neill, CEO, BMI attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Catherine Brewton, VP, Creative, BMI, Nas and Mike O'Neill, CEO, BMI attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Mike Steinberg, EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer, BMI, Catherine Brewton, VP, Creative, BMI, Nas and Mike O'Neill, CEO, BMI attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Wardell Malloy, Assistant VP, Creative, BMI, Mike Steinberg, EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer, BMI, Catherine Brewton, VP, Creative, BMI, Nas, Mike O'Neill, CEO, BMI, Todd Horvath, President & COO, BMI and Byron Wright, Executive Director, Creative, BMI Atlanta attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Nas attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Yara Shahidi attends the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) L.A. Reid, Nas and Babyface attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Babyface, Mike O'Neill, CEO, BMI and L.A. Reid attend the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Catherine Brewton, VP, Creative, BMI, Wardell Malloy, Assistant VP, Creative, BMI, Jalisa Chambers, Deon Conway, Cambrian Strong, and Christopher Scott-Wallace, Associate Director of Creative, BMI pose onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Real Boston Richey performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Catherine Brewton, VP, Creative, BMI, Wardell Malloy, Assistant VP, Creative, BMI, BigXthaPlug, Bandplay and Ro$ama pose onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Amir Dastoori, Omar Grant, Will Skalmoski, Sterling Sims, Todd Horvath, President & COO, BMI, Wardell Malloy, Assistant VP, Creative, BMI, Catherine Brewton, VP, Creative, BMI, Ari Gelaw, VP, Creative, Sony Music Publishing, Terrence "AtlSnake" Hawkins, Katie Welle, President, Head of A&R, Sony Music Publishing, Jamin Whatley, Da'Shawn Vinson, Mike Steinberg, EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer, BMI, Simone Dixon and Lauren Munroe accepts the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-hop Publisher of the Year Award during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

(L-R) Todd Horvath, President & COO, BMI, Catherine Brewton, VP, Creative, BMI, Matthew "MTech" Bernard, Wardell Malloy, Assistant VP, Creative, BMI and Mike Steinberg, EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer, BMI pose onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)

Evelyn "Champagne" King performs onstage during the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on August 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI)