ATLANTA (AP) -- Snoop Dogg said he initially felt misunderstood at the beginning of his rap career while accepting his “I Am Hip Hop” honor during a politically charged BET Hip-Hop Awards show near Atlanta.

Rapper Kendrick Lamar surprised attendees Saturday evening by introducing and handing Snoop the award during the 11th annual awards, which was taped. Lamar, in front of a packed crowd at the Cobb Energy Performing Centre, said the ultra-smooth West Coast rapper “paved a way into many hearts” with his authentic rap flow and infectious persona.

Hip-hop royalty from 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.”

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.”

The show also focused its attention toward police brutality of African-Americans.

Wearing all black, T.I. performed his politically charged song “We Will Not” as a stage full of people sporting dark attire held up “Black Lives Matter” signs. The rapper said he was motivated to write the song after hearing about a series of deaths of black people including Sandra Bland, who died while in police lockup after a traffic stop, and Philando Castile who was fatally shot by police during a traffic stop. Castile was licensed to carry and had a firearm in his car.

T.I. said at the end of his performance that blacks should unite adding that “they can’t kill us all.”

Before the show, Snoop said it felt “amazing” to be honored by the network. He broke through under the guidance of hit maker Dr. Dre, releasing his 1993 debut album “Doggystyle,” which featured iconic songs including “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.”

There were several recorded freestyle sessions, known as The Cypher, featuring several artists including Lil Wayne and comedian Kevin Hart, who rapped shirtless wearing dark sunglasses. During Hart’s rap, some laughed while other applauded his efforts.

Lamar took home Lyricist of the Year, Fat Joe and Remy Ma won track of the year award for their song “All the Way Up.” The hustler of the year honor went to DJ Khaled, and best new hip-hop artist was earned by Chance the Rapper, who was not in attendance.