Travis Scott has recovered quite a bit from the Astroworld tragedy.

From his chart-topping return album Utopia After his earth-shattering support tour, Travis is back on top. Today (October 15), the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards capped off this impressive achievement by presenting Travis Scott with the I Am Hip Hop Award.

However, not everyone is happy with Travis’ honor. During his speech, Travis Scott addressed the naysayers and early career critics. “I get that from that generation where they didn’t think of us as hip-hop anywhere near,” he said. “And every day as a producer I try to push the sound forward. Nobody knew (initially) what the hell I was up to. But I’ve always had this idea and vision – until today. Just to take the sound to the next level.”

This criticism is far from over. When Travis was announced as this year’s honoree, online users questioned the decision. However, in the headline of the announcement post (viewable here), BET seemingly responded to the opposition, writing, “From Astroworld vibes to breaking records with iconic tracks while making every stage feel like a movie, Travis truly embodies the culture.” This award is not just a trophy; It’s a tribute to his undeniable influence, his dedication and the way he keeps the game in ‘sicko mode’!”

Watch Travis Scott’s full I Am Hip Hop Award acceptance speech above.