Rap pioneer Doug E. Fresh fought back tears as he accepted a lifetime achievement prize at the BET Hip-Hop Awards on Saturday (20Sep14), dedicating the honour to his late mother.

The music veteran was presented with the I Am Hip-Hop Award at the pre-taped Atlanta, Georgia ceremony and he revealed the accolade was made all the more poignant because he had just lost his mum, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, five months ago.

Saluting her during his acceptance speech, he said, "I have to acknowledge her. I want to thank this woman and hip-hop. If it wasn't for hip-hop, I don't know where I would be."

Fresh went on to perform his classic La Di Da Di hit with the show's host, Snoop Dogg.

Other performances came from T.I. and Young Thug, and Brandy, who sang I Wanna Be Down with special appearances from Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Yo-Yo.

The full list of winners will be released when the ceremony airs on U.S. Tv on 14 October (14).

Drake leads the pack with eight nominations, while Jay Z, Pharrell Williams and Future are close behind with six apiece.