The 16th annual BET Hip Hop Awards airs on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
BET is honoring Nelly as this year's recipient of the "I Am Hip Hop" Award. The artist will receive the honor when the BET Hip Hop Awards airs on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
The network is recognizing the 46-year-old rapper for his decades-spanning accomplishments in the music industry that includes chart-topping hits such as "Hot in Herre," "Dilemma" feat. Kelly Rowland, "Country Grammar," "Ride Wit Me" and "Cruise" with Florida Georgia Line. The rapper's also known for his fashion line Apple Bottoms, his role in the hit series Real Husbands of Hollywood and his reality show Nellyville.
"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."
Last week, ET's Cassie DiLaura spoke to the rapper about receiving the award and what gaining that recognition means to him.
"Feels great, I mean it feels great. It's like everything, I can't wait. I'm totally honored," Nelly said of receiving BET's "I Am Hip Hop" Award. "It makes me feel old, but definitely blessed and thankful that I get a chance to have this moment."
He continued, "You talk about hip hop as well, and again with your peers, and getting the chance to see how you kinda influenced the music that you're in and how a lot of the people that's in today's music might have took a little bit from me as I did when I sat in the audience and watched other people get the award as well."
As far as what the rapper want's his legacy to be, that's still undecided. For now, he's just try to work hard and stay one step ahead of where he thought he wouldn't be.
"I don't know yet," he admitted. "I know some people have a direct clue about it. I just work hard, thankful. I just keep trying to stay one step ahead of where I thought I wouldn't be."
The rapper, who has been known to transcend genres, most recently performed at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas alongside his frequent collaborators, Florida Georgia Line.
In August, Nelly spoke with ET ahead of his debut as the first rapper to headline 'CMT Crossroads' with FGL.
"The country world has always shown up for Nelly and I'm just honored that they've allowed me at the dinner," he said.
The BET Awards will air on Oct. 5, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
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