Nas and Lil Wayne have added more accolades to their successful careers!
The duo’s inductions took place at Billboard’s 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event held in Los Angeles on Tuesday. This event also served as a dual commemoration, marking the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop. After being introduced by Billboard’s Executive Director of R&B/Hip Hop, Gail Mitchell, Lil Wayne stepped onto the stage to receive the award. During his acceptance speech, he briefly mentioned his present career situation.
“You already know I gotta give thanks to the man up above,” Weezy said. “Also those that we lost, those that we wish were here, we thank you as well… And to my fans, I think I worded it the best way when I said I ain’t sh*t without you. This is for y’all, y’all as in my fans, those in the crowd, my supporters, those that work for me, those that work with me, those that work around me, those that work like me. This is for us.”
He added, “Just another footnote, I ain’t stopping. They told me what time to be here. I was in the studio. They told me when I can leave. I’ll be going back to the studio. Thank you, I love you all. Moolah!”
Nas also took to the podium and expressed that his initial motivation for rapping was driven not by the desire for recognition but by his sincere passion for the music.
“I didn’t get into it for awards; we got into it because we love the art form,” he said. “50 years of Hip Hop, and we have a concert at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. 50 years of Hip Hop saluting some of the pioneers who inspired me…since DJ Mr. Magic started rap radio since Marley Mall and Red Alert made us record mixtapes of our own when this shit was underground.”
Nevertheless, Nas and Wayne are the first inductees into Billboard’s Hip Hop Hall of Fame.
