Lil Wayne to be named a BMI icon at the 2023 BMI R&B Hip Hop Awards at Miami Beach!

The evening will also honor hip-hop’s 50th anniversary with performances by some of the genre’s most innovative artists.

At the 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards on September 6, BMI will bestow the BMI Icon Award to famous rapper, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Lil Wayne, a five-time GRAMMY winner. Wayne’s remarkable career spanning more than 20 years and his unparalleled effect on the genre and beyond will be honored with BMI’s highest accolade. Hip-hop’s 50th anniversary will also be honored throughout the evening, along with its legacy and ongoing effect on musicians and music lovers of all ages. Mike O’Neill, President & CEO of BMI, and Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, will serve as hosts for the exclusive event, which takes place at Miami Beach’s LIV Nightclub.

Lil Wayne is a hip-hop icon and celebrity who is closely associated with the genre. As one of the most influential performers of all time, he has been a member of the BMI family since 2002, and we are honored to declare him a BMI Icon,” Brewton added. “We’re thrilled to honor the legacy of hip-hop, which has permeated entertainment, fashion, sports, and much more, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary with a celebration.” According to Brewton, “We’re excited to be back in Miami for this historic occasion and to honor the songwriters and producers from BMI who will lead R&B/Hip-Hop into the next fifty years.” This will be a memorable evening.

From its catalog of more than 20.6 million musical works, BMI will also honor the composers, producers, and music publishers of the 35 R&B/Hip-Hop songs that were played the most in the United States last year. These tributes will take place throughout the evening. During the event, the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter, Producer, and Publisher of the Year will also be announced. Hip-hop megastars whose contributions to the genre have had a major influence over the last 50 years will be included in a special tribute performance to commemorate this momentous occasion of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.

Lil Wayne, the rap legend, celebrated writer, professional skater, philanthropist, and historical figure, has solidified his place in music history by selling over 100 million records worldwide, including 25 million albums and 90 million digital tracks in the US alone. Five #1 debuts during his career stand out on his discography, including 2008’s eight times platinum and three times GRAMMY Award-winning epic Tha Carter III.

In 2018, Tha Carter IV, the most recent installment of the series, was published. In addition to debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, it also had the second-biggest streaming week ever for an album. A year later, it all paved the way for his thirteenth full-length album, Funeral. Wayne’s generational breakthrough single “Lollipop” featuring Static Major won him his first Diamond award from the RIAA in 2022.

Amidst several achievements, Wayne became the first performer to top Elvis Presley in terms of the number of entries on the Billboard Hot 100. With an incredible 183 entries, he has the third-highest total of all time. 26 BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, seven MTV Awards, four Soul Train Awards, and most recently, the Global Impact Award from The Recording Academy Honors Presented by The Black Music Collective were bestowed upon him. In addition to winning 52 BMI Awards throughout his tenure with BMI, Wayne was recognized as the R&B/Hip Hop Songwriter of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2013. For his song “Down,” he was also awarded College Song of the Year at the 2009 BMI London Awards.

In addition, Wayne serves as the CEO of Young Money Entertainment, which he owns and runs and has launched the careers of other celebrities, including Nicki Minaj and Drake. In addition, the devoted philanthropist established The One Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization that assists marginalized youngsters.

The BMI Icon Award is given to producers, composers, or songwriters who have had a particularly significant impact on the music business and have left a lasting legacy for future generations of musicians. Lil Wayne becomes the 2023 recipient, joining a select group of musicians who have been bestowed with BMI’s greatest accolade. Previous honorees include James Brown, Busta Rhymes, Babyface, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, and more.