Nelly is set to receive the I AM Hip Hop Award at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards, which will premiere on BET on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

The “Dilemma” emcee will receive the top award of the night, joining previous recipients such as Lil Kim, Ice Cube, LL Cool J, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg and Master P, who took home the coveted honor last year. “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.”

He added, “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.”

The St. Louis emcee will be honored “for his massive contributions to music and the culture at large,” BET said in a statement. Nelly has had major success in the music industry. He emerged on the scene as part of the St. Lunatics in 1993. The group released several hits together, including “Midwest Swing” and “Let Me In Now.”

After becoming a solo act, Nelly released his debut album Country Grammar, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. He has garnered four No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Dilemma,” “Hot In Herre,” “Grillz” and “Shake Ya Tailfeather,” and has sold over 22 million records in the United States.

Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B lead this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards with nine nominations each. Their hit single “WAP” is up for several awards, including Best Hip Hop Video, Best Collaboration and Song Of The Year.