Nas and Lil Wayne have added new distinctions to their decorated résumés after being inducted into Billboard‘s newfound Hip Hop Hall of Fame.
The pair’s inductions went down during the publication’s 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event in Los Angeles on Tuesday (August 8), which doubled up as a celebration of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary.
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Following an introduction from Billboard‘s Executive Director of R&B/Hip Hop Gail Mitchell, Lil Wayne took the stage to accept the award, during which he added a quick caveat about his current career.
“You already know I gotta give thanks to the man up above,” Weezy began. “Also those that we lost, those that we wish were here, we thank you as well… And to my fans, I think I worded it the best way when I said I ain’t shit without you.
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“This is for y’all, y’all as in my fans, those in the crowd, my supporters, those that work for me, those that work with me, those that work around me, those that work like me. This is for us.”
He then added: “Just another footnote, I ain’t stopping. They told me what time to be here, I was in the studio. They told me when I can leave, I’ll be going back to the studio. Thank you, I love you all. Moolah!”
After an equally impressive introduction by Billboard‘s Deputy Director of R&B/Hip Hop Carl Lamarre, Nas also graced the podium and said that he didn’t start rapping for the accolades, but because of his genuine love for the the music.
“I didn’t get into it for awards; we got into it because we love the artform,” he said. “50 years of Hip Hop and we have a concert at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. 50 years of Hip Hop saluting some of the pioneers who inspired me…since DJ Mr. Magic started rap radio, since Marley Mall and Red Alert made us record mixtapes of our own when this shit was underground.”
He continued: “From seeing it from back then, I’m just so honored to still be alive to see it be 50 years as a fan. So I want to thank you all for getting awards at 49, not when I was 29. But I appreciate you. I ain’t gonna lie, I stayed away from award shows back then, I thought that shit was the devil … But it ain’t. You make it what it is.”
The event also recognized Hip Hop’s new generation, with Ice Spice being crowned Rookie of the Year. “Ahh, this is crazy! This is like my first award ever in life, so I’m super proud,” she gushed on stage.
Nas and Lil Wayne serve as the first inductees into Billboard’s Hip Hop Hall of Fame, which comes after calls from multiple rappers for such an institution to be started.
“The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame didn’t come immediately [to Hip Hop],” RZA said in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. “We’re happy that now they’re inducting some of us. Great. Let’s make the Hip Hop Hall of Fame.
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“The BET Hip Hop awards is cool. Love BET. But it’s not from us — it’s corporate. We need people of the culture to govern and guide the culture.”
