Snoop Dogg honoured at BET Awards amid a politically charged atmosphere

Entertainment: Rapper Snoop Dogg has been honoured with the 'I Am Hip Hop honour' at the BET Hip-Hop 11th annual Awards show at the Cobb Energy Performing Centre on Saturday near Atlanta. Receiving the award, Snoop said he initially felt he was misunderstood at the beginning of his rap career that ended up turning into a legendary one.

Rapper Kendrick Lamar surprised attendees at the politically-charged event when he introduced and handed Snoop the award.

Lamar, said the ultra-smooth West Coast rapper ``paved a way into many hearts'' with his authentic rap flow and infectious persona.

Several Hip-hop royalty including Dr. Dre to Pharrell Williams paid homage to Snoop, a legend in his own right.

"He mastered the game through tests and challenges that earned him the respect of a college professor, except his game came from the streets,'' Lamar said.

"He put (me) on game, so I would avoid the same pitfalls ... Snoop Dogg was the God, and continues to be so.''

Speaking during his acceptance speech, Snoop encouraged up-and-coming rappers to continue to "push the envelope'' in being creative and original.

"To all the young rappers in the game, a lot of people don't understand you. Y'all are misunderstood,'' he said. "I was misunderstood at the beginning. So you got to keep pushing, be original and diverse. Hip-hop was created many years ago and it's taken people so many places. You have to be who you are.''

Snoop said it felt "amazing'' to be honoured by BET network.

Snoop came through under the guidance of hit maker Dr. Dre, releasing his 1993 debut album Doggystyle, which featured hit songs including Gin and Juice and What's My Name?

Before the Snoop Dogg received his award, the show focused its attention toward police brutality of African-Americans.