The BET Hip-Hop Awards aired tonight (Oct. 4). Housed at Atlanta's Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and hosted by DJ Khaled, the 2016 version of the annual awards show was definitely a night to remember. Snoop Dogg was the honoree of the night receiving the I Am Hip Hop icon award.

Presented by Kendrick Lamar, the Dogg father's recognition was long overdue. As a host of the BET Hip-Hop Awards from 2013-2015, the Long Beach, Calif. rapper has an extensive history with the program, so it was only right to honor the 20-plus year hip-hop veteran.

"You gotta always be who you are," urged Snoop during his acceptance speech. "I ain't never been nobody but me."

As always, Snoop also took his moment to praise the culture for the growth he's witnessed over the past three decades. He additionally instructed the proceeding generation of rappers to continue to expand the culture and to continue to be innovative.  "Music is the universal language of all people,"said Snoop. Congrats Snoop!

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See 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet

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