Nas and Lil Wayne serve as the first inductees into Billboard’s Hip Hop Hall of Fame.

Nas and Lil Wayne have been inducted into Billboard’s Hiphop Hall of Fame. The induction of the two rap icons happened during the publication’s 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event in Los Angeles on August 8 which was also part of Hiphop’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

The “A Milli” hitmaker took the stage to accept the award as an inductee after Billboard’s Executive Director of R&B/Hip Hop Gail Mitchell’s introduction.

Lil Wayne couldn’t hide his appreciation : “You already know I gotta give thanks to the man up above,” Lil Wayne began. “Also those that we lost, those that we wish were here, we thank you as well… “

He went on to thank his fans for their enormous support. “And to my fans, I think I worded it the best way when I said I ain’t shit without you. 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”

“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!” He added.

Billboard’s Deputy Director of R&B/Hip Hop Carl Lamarre took the podium and delivered a beautiful introduction speech and the “If I Ruled The World” rapper took the podium to accept his inductee award.

Nas had some beautiful thoughts to share and he spoke about the fact that he got into the hiphop scene not for the plaques and the fame but for the love of the art and also honoring some of the pioneers of the genre and movement.

“I didn’t get into it for awards; we got into it because we love the artform,” Nasir stated. “50 years of Hip Hop and we have concert at the 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.”

“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.” Nas added.

It was a night to honor these two legends who in their own rights have dedicated themselves to the growth of Hiphop and have played their roles in making the genre what it is today, hence it’s only fair for them to be inducted into the newly instituted Billboard’s Hiphop Hall of Fame.