Lil Wayne is set to receive the Icon Award at the upcoming BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. The awards are a private event and will be held at at LIV Nightclub in Miami Beach on September 6th, hosted by BMI President and CEO Mike O’Neill and vice president Catherine Brewton. Lil Wayne joins an impressive lineup of previous Icon Award recipients, including Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, LA Reid, Babyface, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, James Brown, and Busta Rhymes.
Brewton said in a statement: “As a legend and superstar of hip-hop, Lil Wayne is synonymous with the genre. 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.”
BMI, or Broadcast Music, Inc., is a performance rights organization that represents songwriters and composers when it comes to licensing and royalties. Tthe awards show will “salute the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the past year’s 35 most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs in the U.S. from BMI’s repertoire. The BMI R&B/hip-hop song, songwriter, producer, and publisher of the Year will also be named.” Additionally, there will be a tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
Editorial credit: Franklin Sheard Jr / Shutterstock.com
