Nelly Announced as This Year’s ‘I Am Hip Hop’ Award Recipient at 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards

On Monday, BET announced that Nelly will be this year’s I Am Hip Hop Award at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards show next month. 

The Diamond selling rapper has topped the charts with iconic records such as “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland, “Hot In Herre,” “Shake Ya Tailfeather” with Diddy and Murphy Lee, and “Grillz” featuring Paul Wall, Ali, and Gipp. He also has three number-one albums on the Billboard 200 with Country Grammar, Nellyville, and Suit.

Although he hasn’t taken home a BET Hip Hop Award, he has accumulated various other awards throughout his more than two-decade career. Nelly has won three Grammys, nine Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, one MTV Video Music Award, four Teen Choice Awards, and three Soul Train Awards. 

“I am honored to receive this award and humbled to be in such great company of past artists who have received this award,” he said in a statement. “I have been blessed to work with some incredible people in my career, making 22 years go by in the blink of an eye. This award isn’t just about Nelly; it is about my fans, BET, and the people that continue to support me and allow me to do what I love to do.”

Outside of music, Nelly is known for his successful women’s clothing line Apple Bottoms. He has starred in films and television, including Real Husband’s of Hollywood, his reality show Nellyville. In addition, he has appeared on Fox Sports as a commentator. 

Previous I Am Hip Hop Award recipients include legends such as Rakim, LL Cool J, Lil Kim, and Lil Wayne. 

Megan The Stallion, Cardi B, and Lil Durk lead this year’s nominees with nine nominations each. Drake is not far behind with eight. Tyler the Creator and Metro Boomin round out the top three, with four nods each. Other nominees include Pooh Sheisty, Lil Nas X, J. Cole, Saweetie, and more. 

The BET Hip Hop Awards are scheduled to air on October 5 at 9 p.m. on BET.