Nelly is set to pick up the 2021 “I Am Hip Hop” trophy at the annual BET Hip Hop Awards.
BET made the announcement Monday, saying the rapper and entrepreneur will be “celebrated for his massive contributions to music and the culture at large” during the October telecast.
“I am honored to receive this award and humbled to be in such great company of past artists who have received this award,” Nelly 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.”
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Nelly was born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. and grew up in St. Louis. The music star is known for hits, including “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma” (feat. Kelly Rowland), “Country Grammar,” “Ride Wit Me,” and “Cruise” (with Florida Georgia Line). According to the Grammys website, he has taken home three Grammy Awards over the years.
The RIAA ranks him as the fourth best-selling rap artist in American music history, with 21 million albums sold in the United States.
Fans can watch Nelly pick up his latest honor at the “BET Hip Hop Awards” when the show premieres Tuesday, Oct. 5, at 9:00 PM ET/PT on BET, and simulcasts internationally on BET Africa on Wednesday, October 6 AT 3 AM CAT.
This year’s previously announced nominees include Cardi B, Lil Durk, and Megan Thee Stallion with nine nominations each. They are followed by Drake with eight nods. For a full list of the nominees click here.
Connie Orlando, BET’s EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy will oversee the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, VP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy serving as co-executive producer for BET. Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, is also an executive producer, along eannae Rouzan–Clay and Dionne Harmon.
You can check out the music video for Nelly’s award-winning song “Dilemma” with Kelly Rowland below.
