Snoop Dogg Honoured For Musical Achievements

Snoop Dogg and Missy Elliot are among six names who have been recognised for their achievements in rap.

They join A Tribe Called Quest, 80s rap trio Whoudini, music executive Andre Harrell and producer Teddy Riley who have all been honoured for pioneering the ‘New Jack Swing’ sound at VH1's fourth annual Hip Hop Honours.

On receiving the accolade, Snoop Dogg: "These are guys that I grew up wanting to be like and learning their words and dreaming and hoping and wishing, and now they know who I am and they respect me and they say that my work has put me in the position that I can be commended — it's unbelievable, I can't believe it."

The rapper also told AP that the awards – which will air tonight (October 8th) in America – have shone a long awaited positive light on the rap genre.

"This is the best thing for us to happen for hip-hop, it's positive," explained Snoop Dogg. "These awards shows never no violence, it's never negative, never anything in the media the wrong way, it's always a great celebration of music and the artists and what they did."