Lil Wayne has continued to secure his title as one of rap’s greats and will be given the BMI Icon Award at this year’s R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.
The annual awards show, taking place early this September, will have a slightly bigger meaning this year than usual as it pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop. The show also comes just a mere 2 weeks before Lil Wayne’s 41st birthday, giving Wayne a nice early birthday gift.
It is no surprise that Lil Wayne is slated to win the BMI Icon Award. Throughout his musical career, five of his albums and three singles have hit No. 1 on the charts. Wayne has also won five Grammy Awards and 52 BMI awards, including BMI’s R&B/Hip Hop Songwriter of the Year in 2008, ’09, ’11, and ’13.
The vice president of BMI, Catherine Brewton, made a recent statement about Wayne. She said, “As a legend and superstar of Hip Hop, Lil Wayne is synonymous with the genre. He’s been a part of the BMI family since 2002, and we’re proud to name him a BMI Icon in keeping with his reputation as one of the most influential artists of all time.”
She also touched on the meaning of this year’s hip hop anniversary, saying, “We’re also excited to pay tribute to the 50th anniversary Hip Hop with a celebration that reflects the genre’s legacy, which has infiltrated entertainment, fashion, sports and much more.”
In the past, top artists like Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, and Janet Jackson have received the BMI Icon Award, and Lil Wayne will soon be among them as the icon he is.