Nelly talks BET Hip Hop Awards honor and the greatest rap record of all time

It’s hard to believe St. Louis rapper Nelly has been in the game for almost a quarter of a century, his longevity a rarity within a culture full of artists who often live single-to-single before fizzling out of the hip-hop ethos.

His tenure is now being recognized by the masses, as the “Lil Bit” artist, 46, is being honored with the “I AM HIP HOP” award at tonight’s BET Hip Hop Awards.

“It’s an honor anytime you get celebrated for your achievements in whatever it is that you do, especially if you’ve been doing it for almost 23 years,” Nelly told PageSix. “It definitely feels like a blessing, you never take it for granted. And it makes you feel kind of old too,” he added with a hearty laugh.

“It’s what you hope for, it’s what you wish for. I might’ve dreamed it, never could’ve imagined it, but I dreamed it,” he added.

“I’m just happy the hard work and sacrifice that was put into trying to have a great career is recognized at any point.”

When asked to name artists who’ve influenced his music and career, the Missouri native rattles off hip-hop legends such as LL Cool J — whom he presented with the “I AM HIP HOP” award in 2011 — The Notorious B.I.G., OutKast, NWA and others, going on to call 1982’s “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five the greatest hip hop song of all time.

“It touches your soul, til this day. If you listen to “The Message” right now, you’re going to get the same feeling [as] when that brother put that song out… it’s still so relevant.”

The BET Hip Hop Awards 2021 will premiere tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 5, at 9 PM ET on BET.