It was nothing but a G-thang last night at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater, as a star-studded list of rap luminaries came together to celebrate the career of Snoop Dogg at the 11th Annual BMI Urban Awards.
The West Coast pioneer was honored with the BMI Urban Icon award and a series of performances of his biggest hits by some of hip-hop’s biggest names. Wiz Khalifa, looking vintage Doggfather in a blue plaid shirt with only the top button buttoned, covered Snoop’s classic duet with Dr. Dre, “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang.” Fellow West Coaster Game rocked “Murder Was the Case”—which seemed appropriate given all the Compton MC’s legal troubles of late. And Nas and the Dogg Pound’s Kurupt and Daz Dillinger brought the crowd to their feet with a high-energy version of “The Next Episode.”
Dr. Dre then presented the BMI Urban Icon Award to his long-time right-hand man Snoop. Even a telepromoter mishap couldn’t throw off the night’s good vibes—Dre read his heartfelt speech off of a piece of paper.
Snoop humbly accepted the award with his own gracious speech, shouting out his wife, Shante Broadus: “I always put you through hell,” he said. “I’ma get that s--- right.” He also gave props to rap’s new wave of hitmakers, including Drake, whom he told, “You’s a bad motherf---er, man.” And in good news for hip-hop fans, he promised to help Dre finish up his long-delayed, much-anticipated third album, Detox. “Y'all ain’t gotta wait too much longer,” he said. “The Dogg is in the building. We gonna get this s--- right.”

After his speech, Snoop was joined onstage by Bootsy Collins, Game, Kurupt, Warren G, Daz Dillinger, the Lady of Rage, and former Gap Band front man Charlie Wilson to perform another one of his signature hits, “Who Am I (What’s My Name).” For videos from the event, go to Rap-Up.com.