Rapper Pitbull (real name Armando Christian Pérez) was emotional on Friday, as he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. At the ceremony he welcomed frequent collaborator Lil Jon, motivational speaker Tony Robbins and mentor Luther 'Uncle Luke' Campbell, who reminisced about the rapper’s career and the positive affect he's had on young people’s lives.

A photo posted by Pitbull (@pitbull) on

Speaking at the ceremony an emotional Pitbull said: "I use these platforms to speak to you all and for you all to understand that for me, it's never been about money, it's never been about fame - it's been about a journey... It's about our culture. It's about coming from nothing to something. It's about being the prime example of what the American dream is and what it embodies.”

He went on to thank his family, including his six children, who he keeps out of the public eye. “There are people in my life that I love and I keep out of the public eye, I guess you could call it being selfish, because I don't want them to be a part of the life I signed up for, but I love them dearly." 

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Pitbull also took the opportunity to send a message to his fans who had gathered for the big day. "To be up here it just goes to show what happens when you're focused, when you work hard, when you believe in yourself, and when you go against all odds,” he said.

“And if there's on thing I never understood it's no. Losing to me is just another opportunity and failure to me is just another lesson learned.” On twitter he later shared a photo of himself posing beside his star and told fans: "What an honor to receive my star on the #hollywoodwalkoffame thanks to all the fans.”