-Avier Wanjou-BrasS-

Cousins!

Nelly will join other industry elites such as LL COOL J, Lil Wayne, Salt ‘N’ Pepa, Master P, and Lil Kim who’s previously received the award!

After being in the game for 22 years, the St. Louis native will be honored with the I Am Hip Hop award at this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards. Premiering on Tuesday Oct. 5th, is the top honorary award to be presented.

“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.”

According to Billboard, Nelly has not yet won a BET Hip Hop award in a competition. The ‘Country Grammar’ rapper has won three Grammys, four American Music Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, one MTV Video Music Award, three Soul Train Music Awards, and four Teen Choice Awards.

Also, Nelly has had four No.1 hits on Billboard Hot 100: Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma” (with Kelly Rowland), “Shake Ya Tailfeather” (a collab with Diddy and Murphy Lee), and “Grillz” (featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp). Plus three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200: Country Grammar, Nellyville, and Suit, which sold a combined 22 million copies in the U.S., according to RIAA.

Nelly has contributed not only his music but his fashion statements to the state of Hip Hop. From rocking a band-aid to rapping about air force ones, Nelly has set some trends. Let us not forget his fashion line, Apple Bottom Jeans. All to make sense as to why he deserves this award.