I AM HIP HOP AWARD
As a diamond-selling, multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning rap superstar, entrepreneur, philanthropist and actor, Nelly raised the bar in entertainment after stepping onto the scene in 2000 with his distinctive vocals and larger-than-life personality. Twenty years later, Nelly is still making headlines as his country music album "Heartland" reaches Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and his single featuring Florida Georgia Line, "Lil Bit," nears double platinum status. In 2021, Nelly celebrated 20 years of "Nellyville" and "Country Grammar," while his hit song with Kelly Rowland, "Dilemma," marked 1 billion views on YouTube.
Nelly is a regular on BET's hit show "Real Husbands of Hollywood." He secured a place in America's heart during his time on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2020, as his loyal fans carried him to third place. Nelly also added sports commentator to his list of accomplishments with Fox Sports, making him one of the few actors with three television shows airing at one time. Nelly has performed on NBC's "The Voice," The American Music Awards and ABC's "Greatest Hits," and he served as a judge on CW's "The Next." In 2005, he made his big screen debut in the Adam Sandler and Chris Rock remake "The Longest Yard" and he starred in "Reach Me" with Sylvester Stallone in 2014. Some of his music hits include "Hot in Here," "Dilemma," "Country Grammar," "Ride Wit Me," "Just a Dream" and "Cruise," his collaboration with Florida Georgia Line which reached diamond status. The music mogul has also left his mark in other aspects of the industry, including with his women's clothing line, Apple Bottoms. He is part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats with Michael Jordan. The RIAA ranks Nelly as the fourth-best-selling rap artist in American music history, with 21 million albums sold in the United States. In 2009, Billboard ranked Nelly the number three Top Artist of the Decade.
ROCK THE BELLS CULTURAL INFLUENCE AWARD
Tyler, the Creator, is an award-winning artist, producer, director, fashion designer, filmmaker and entrepreneur -- who cofounded the hip-hop group and record label Odd Future in 2007. Since then, Tyler has released six solo albums, winning a Grammy Award, a BRIT Award and an MTV Video Music Award. His album "Call Me If You Get Lost" debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in 2021.
GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT ICON, FOUNDER AND CEO OF ROCK THE BELLS
LL Cool J is the founder and CEO of Rock the Bells, the preeminent voice for classic and timeless hip hop. The modern media brand, specifically designed for Gen X and those with the "Strictly OG" mindset, focuses on content, commerce and experiences that honor the culture and the core elements of hip hop -- MCs, DJs, break-dancers, graffiti artists -- in one robust platform. Known as a global entertainment icon and entrepreneur with a career spanning three decades, LL Cool J has amassed an impressive body of work that includes the successful SiriusXM channel "LL COOL J's Rock the Bells Radio," 10 consecutive platinum-plus selling albums and a New York Times bestselling book. He is the first rapper to receive the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor. He stars in the CBS hit primetime drama series "NCIS: Los Angeles," which is entering its 13th season. He is a two-time Grammy Award winner, NAACP Image Award winner, 2021 Rock Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and a passionate and avid philanthropist.
BET has partnered with the voice of classic and timeless hip hop, Rock the Bells -- founded by global entertainment icon LL Cool J -- to acknowledge the achievements and massive cultural impact of today's hottest hip-hop stars. LL Cool J will give Tyler, The Creator "his flowers" with the inaugural Rock the Bells Cultural Influence Award at the BET Hip Hop Awards 2021, to bridge the gap between all generations of hip-hop lovers. Tyler, The Creator will receive the award for his impressive cultural contributions, talent and unbound creativity, which have led him to become one of the most innovative forces in the music industry. In addition to being the Rock the Bells Cultural Influence honoree, Tyler is nominated for four 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards including Best Live Performer, Hip Hop Artist of the Year, Hip Hop Album of the Year and Producer of the Year.