Snoop Dogg declared himself upbeat about life and the future of rap as the veteran star was recognized for career achievement at the BET Hip-Hop Awards on Tuesday.

In an industry infamous for bitter beefs between rappers, the 44-year-old Snoop Dogg instead took an inspirational approach as he was presented the “I Am Hip-Hop” award at a televised ceremony in Atlanta.

“I’m content. I love who I’ve been through my whole journey,” said Snoop Dogg, who emerged from California’s gangsta rap scene before creating his own more mellow sound.

“I’m just thankful to have been given a position to speak to people, to mentor people, to become Uncle Snoop, to not become some bitter old rapper who’s mad because the young MCs is happening. That’s not me,” he said.

Snoop Dogg advised younger rappers to “stay original,” describing music as having a universal power.

“I’m loving where hip-hop is going, I’m loving how you’re taking it across the world, and how you’re all uniting people,” he said.

Politics was also in full display at the awards, one of the biggest annual events on the hip-hop calendar which is broadcast on BET, or Black Entertainment Television.