Lil Wayne is set to be honored with the BMI Icon Award, the Highest Recognition, at the 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards on September 6. The prestigious event, hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, will take place in Miami at LIV Nightclub. In addition to honoring Wayne, the evening will commemorate the momentous 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
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“As a legend and superstar of hip-hop, Lil Wayne is synonymous with the genre,” Brewton revealed in a statement. “He’s been 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. We’re also excited to pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with a celebration that reflects the genre’s legacy, which has infiltrated entertainment, fashion, sports and much more.”
Previous recipients of the prestigious award include Patti LaBelle, Janet Jackson, Snoop Dogg, LA Reid, The Jacksons, Al Green, James Brown, Isaac Hayes and Busta Rhymes.
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BMI will also pay tribute to the talented songwriters, producers, and music publishers behind the 35 most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs in the United States from BMI’s catalog over the past year. The esteemed accolade for BMI R&B/hip-hop Song, Songwriter, Producer, and Publisher of the Year will also be presented during the event.
Recognized as a highly influential figure in hip-hop, Wayne is widely regarded as one of the best rappers in history. With a staggering global record sales figure exceeding 200 million, including over 25 million albums and 92 million digital tracks sold in the United States alone, he stands as one of the top-selling music artists worldwide. His remarkable talent has garnered him five Grammy Awards, 11 BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and eight NAACP Image Awards.
In 2012, Wayne achieved a groundbreaking feat by surpassing Elvis Presley as the male artist with the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100, accumulating a remarkable 109 songs on the chart. Beyond his musical prowess, Wayne currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at his own label, Young Money Entertainment, further solidifying his multifaceted success.
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