Nas Honors ‘Pioneers’ Kool Moe Dee, Grandmaster Caz & Roxanne Shanté At Grandmaster Awards

Nas has paid tribute to Hip Hop pioneers Kool Moe Dee, Grandmaster Caz and Roxanne Shanté at the 2025 Grandmaster Awards.

Sharing a number of pictures from the event, which was held in Las Vegas this past weekend and organized by the Paid in Full Foundation, the Queensbridge MC celebrated the three important figures in Hip Hop history.

Nas started by saying: “The 2nd @paidinfullfoundation Grand Master Awards Congratulates pioneers Roxanne Shante, Grand Master Caz and Kool Moe Dee! These innovators were at times uncredited, slept on and if not for them there would be no us in Hip Hop.

“They changed the World. We thank you. Thanks to The Horowitz’s, and many other’s who helped make this possible.”

Alongside a photo of Rakim, Scarface and himself, Nas wrote: “Standing with ICONS, the Event curators who helped pick out some honorees. New Emcee’s killed the stage as well. I took the picture of Rakim after he handed Kool Moe Dee his Award! That moment has so much meaning.”

The Illmatic lyricist also paid special tribute to fellow Queens native Shanté, writing: “With The Queen @imroxanneshante a honoree of the @paidinfullfoundation Grand Master Awards happening later this eve. Thank You Big Sis for your contributions to Hip Hop. What a moment to honor a game changer who comes from where I’m from!! She started it all!”

Actor Terry Crews hosted the Grandmaster Awards, while the likes of E-40, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Doug E. Fresh were also in attendance.

The event was put on by the Paid in Full Foundation which aims to empower influential figures from Hip Hop’s past who may not have got their dues.

The first awards ceremony was held last year and saw Rakim and Scarface honored with $500,000. It is not known if Kool Moe Dee, Grandmaster Caz and Roxanne Shanté received the same financial prize.

Nas also serves on the charity’s advisory board along with Fab 5 Freddy and Ralph McDaniels.

The purpose of the foundation is to reward and acknowledge “transformational artists who have made a significant cultural impact and empower them to fulfill their continued creative and artistic endeavors.”

The Paid in Full Foundation aims to benefit Hip Hop legends through its “grantmaking program, by both honoring the people who built Hip Hop and enabling them to pursue their creative and intellectual pursuits for the benefit of society.”