lifestyle MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 AWARDS

Gucci Mane performs during the BET Hip-Hop Awards.

Snoop Dogg speaks while being honored with the “I Am Hip Hop” award at the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta, Saturday. — AP photos

The audience Snoop Dogg gestures dur- ing a perform- ance at the BET honored in politically Hip-Hop charged Awards.

Fat Joe, left, and Remy Ma, accept the Track of the Year award for “All the Way Up”.

noop Dogg said he initially felt misunderstood at the beginning of Shis rap career that ended up turn- ing into a legendary one while accepting Lil Yachty arrives his “I Am Hip Hop” honor during a politi- on the red cally-charged BET Hip-Hop Awards show carpet for the near Atlanta. Rapper Kendrick Lamar sur- BET Hip-Hop prised attendees Saturday evening by Awards . introducing and handing Snoop the award during the 11th annual awards, which was taped. Lamar, in front of a

DJ Khaled receives the Hustler of the Year award.

Lecrae performs during the BET Hip-Hop Awards. When Snoop Dogg wasn’t being hon- that blacks should unite adding that “they ored, the show focused its attention can’t kill us all.” Before the show, Snoop toward police brutality of African- said it felt “amazing” to be honored by the Americans. network. He broke through under the Wearing all black, T.I. performed his guidance of hit maker Dr. Dre, releasing Rapper Kendrick receives the Lyricist of the Year award. politically-charged song “We Will Not” as his 1993 debut album “Doggystyle,” a stage full of people sporting dark attire which featured iconic songs including held up “Black Lives Matter” signs. The “Gin and Juice” and “What’s My Name?” “He means so much to hip-hop,” rapper Young Jeezy said. “There are so many who look up to him. He paved a way for so many, and that’s why everybody knows him as Uncle Snoop.” Rapper Gucci Mane, recently released from prison, hit the stage first. He per- formed four songs, kicking his set off Hip-hop artist with “First Day Out” and “First Day Out Young M.A. Hip-hop artist Jeezy poses on the Tha Feds” during his performance. The poses on the green carpet for the BET Hip-Hop rapper made his return after being DJ Khaled hosts the BET Hip-Hop Awards. green carpet. Awards. released in late May from a Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, packed crowd at the Cobb Energy Indiana. He served a three-year sentence Performing Centre, said the ultra- after pleading guilty to aggravated smooth West Coast rapper “paved a way assault for attacking a fan at an Atlanta into many hearts” with his authentic rap nightclub. That sentence ran concurrent- flow and infectious persona. Hip-hop ly with a 39-month federal sentence he royalty from Dr. Dre to Pharrell Williams Hip-hop artist 21 Savage poses on was given in 2014 for possession of a paid homage to Snoop, a legend in his the green carpet. firearm by a convicted felon. First-time own right. “He mastered the game host DJ Khaled followed with “Holy Key” through tests and challenges that rapper said he was motivated to write with soul singer Betty Wright and a choir earned him the respect of a college pro- the song after hearing about a series of dressed in gold. fessor, except his game came from the deaths of black people including Sandra There were several recorded freestyle streets,” Lamar said. “He put (me) on Bland, who died while in police lockup sessions, known as The Cypher, featuring game, so I would avoid the same pitfalls. after a traffic stop, and Philando Castile several artists including Lil Wayne and ... Snoop Dogg was the God, and contin- who was fatally shot by police during a comedian Kevin Hart, who rapped shirt- ues to be so.” During his acceptance traffic stop. less wearing dark sunglasses. During speech, Snoop encouraged up-and- Castile was licensed to carry and had Hart’s rap, some laughed while other coming rappers to continue to “push the a firearm in his car. Rapper Big K.R.I.T. applauded his efforts. Lamar took home envelope” in being creative and original. and Lecrae, a Christian rapper, expressed Lyricist of the Year, Fat Joe and Remy Ma “To all the young rappers in the their thoughts on the matter through won Track of the Year award for their game, a lot of people don’t understand their own poems and radio host Sway song “All the Way Up.” The Hustler of the you. Y’all are misunderstood,” he said. “I Calloway stood alongside Khaled and Year honor went to DJ Khaled, and Best said “we’re at war.” Actor Shameik Moore New Hip-Hop Artist was earned by was misunderstood at the beginning. So Hip-hop DJ Khaled, encouraged people to cast their vote. Chance the Rapper, who was not in you got to keep pushing, be original and right, greets Caiden, attendance. Rapper Desiigner closed out diverse. Hip-hop was created many years the son of hip-hop Blacks should unite the show with “Timmy Turner.” The show ago and it’s taken people so many artist Consequence on T.I. said at the end of his performance will air on BET on Oct 4. — AP places. You have to be who you are.” the green carpet.