Last night (October 14), during BET’s airing of the 2014 Hip-Hop Awards, Harlem’s Doug E. Fresh was the recipient of the I Am Hip-Hop Award. Taking the stage, the “Human Beat Box” thanked the Original Get Fresh Crew, with whom he recorded for nearly a decade. Doug thanked Slick Rick, with whom he made two seminal singles.

Going further, Doug acknowledged his six sons, some of whom pursue Hip-Hop in the form of the group Square Up. The Harlem World entertainer’s father was in the audience, whom he thanked. Then, in one of the night’s most touching moments, the onetime Enjoy Records artist teared as he thanked his mother, who passed away five weeks ago. Behind Doug, the woman’s portrait was displayed, before a recording of her voice played for the live and television audiences. In verse, Doug explained his calling for the arts and entertainment, thanking a Higher power, and alluding to passing on the gift—especially of life—to his own children.

This is one of the most heartfelt moments in a career that spans more than 30 years, from one of Hip-Hop’s truly gifted, innovative, and valued voices.

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