Nas was named BMI Icon at the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards in Beverly Hills, recognising his influence and career in rap. Kendrick Lamar was honoured as R&B/hip-hop songwriter of the year, underlining the continued commercial and creative impact of his recent work.

BMI recognised writers and producers behind the 35 most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs in the United States, including 63 first-time winners. Lamar co-wrote six of 2025’s most-performed songs, while “Luther” spent 23 weeks at number one on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and won song of the year; Sony Music Publishing won publisher of the year for representing 27 qualifying songs.