Table of Contents
Who Is Snoop Dogg?
Snoop Dogg, a legendary figure in West Coast rap, has enjoyed a remarkable journey since his discovery by Dr. Dre in the early 1990s. Initially gaining recognition for his contributions to Dre’s iconic album The Chronic in 1992, Snoop has since achieved global fame, selling tens of millions of records and establishing a multifaceted career in both film and television.
Early Life
Born Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr. on October 20, 1971, in Long Beach, California, Snoop Dogg earned his nickname from his mother, who believed he resembled Snoopy, the beloved character from the Peanuts cartoon. A musically gifted child, Snoop showcased his talents by playing the piano and singing in his local Baptist church before venturing into rap during his sixth-grade year.
After graduating from high school, Snoop faced several legal challenges, including multiple arrests for drug possession and time spent in prison. He was also affiliated with the Rollin’ 20 Crips gang. In an effort to escape his troubled circumstances, he turned to music, recording early demos alongside his cousin Nate Dogg and friend Warren G under the group name 213.
A pivotal moment in Snoop’s career occurred when one of his demos caught the attention of Dr. Dre, leading to an audition. This collaboration resulted in the track “Deep Cover” for the soundtrack of the film of the same name, positioning Snoop as a key artist on Dre’s groundbreaking solo album, The Chronic.
Hit Albums: Doggystyle & Tha Doggfather
Snoop Dogg’s debut album, Doggystyle (1993), produced by Dr. Dre, rapidly ascended to the No. 1 position on both Billboard’s hip-hop and Top 200 charts. This success was fueled by popular singles such as “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?” and “Gin and Juice.” The album built upon the G-Funk sound established by Dre in The Chronic, with Cypress Hill’s B-Real reflecting, “I think Dr. Dre gave Snoop a sound that would resonate in the minds of hip-hop fans for generations. It made Snoop an icon.”
Following this, Snoop starred in a short film titled Murder Was the Case, with its soundtrack achieving double platinum status. His subsequent album, Tha Doggfather (1996), also topped the charts, despite the absence of Dre, who had departed from Death Row Records due to a contract dispute. While Tha Doggfather did not match its predecessor’s commercial success, it reaffirmed Snoop’s status as a leading artist in the industry.
From ‘Da Game Is to Be Sold’ to ‘The Hard Way’
Snoop eventually left Death Row, parting ways with label mogul Suge Knight, and signed with Master P’s No Limit Records. His next two albums, Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told (1998) and No Limit Top Dogg (1999), both topped the hip-hop charts. His final album for No Limit, The Last Meal (2000), sold over 2 million copies, marking a shift in Snoop’s style from “gangsta rap” to a smoother sound.
Throughout the 2000s, Snoop continued to produce music, achieving significant success with the 2004 hit single “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” which led to fruitful collaborations with Pharrell Williams. That year, he also reunited with Warren G and Nate Dogg as 213, releasing the album The Hard Way. In 2007, Snoop made history by releasing the track “It’s The D.O.G.” as a ringtone prior to its debut as a single.
Branching Out: From Rapper to Actor to Reality Star
During this period, Snoop expanded his career into acting, featuring in films such as Starsky & Hutch, The Wash, and Training Day. He made guest appearances on television shows including The L Word and Weeds, and starred in his own reality series on E!, Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood, in 2007, which showcased his family life with wife Shante and their three children. Additionally, he participated in a sketch show, Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, and was featured in the 2011 Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump.
Legal Issues: Bans from the U.K. and Australia
Throughout his career, Snoop has encountered various legal issues. In 1990, he was convicted of cocaine possession, followed by a guilty plea for gun possession in 1993. Notably, he was acquitted of murder charges in 1996, related to the shooting of an alleged gang member by someone in the vehicle he was in.
In April 2006, Snoop and his entourage were detained at a London airport after a physical altercation, leading to a temporary ban from entering the U.K. However, this decision was later reversed. Earlier, in 1994, he had also faced scrutiny in the U.K. when The Daily Star featured a cover story with the headline, “Kick this evil bastard out!”
Later that year, he was arrested at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California, after law enforcement discovered marijuana and a firearm in his vehicle. In 2007, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship banned him from entering the country due to his prior convictions, which prevented him from attending the MTV Australia Video Music Awards.
Changing His Name to Snoop Lion
In early 2012, Snoop announced his intention to create an all-reggae album, titled Reincarnated. He subsequently revealed that he would be dropping “Dogg” from his name, rebranding himself as Snoop Lion. According to the Los Angeles Times, the change occurred after Snoop’s visit to Jamaica, where a priest told him, “You are the light, you are the lion.” Inspired by this encounter, Snoop adopted his new moniker, and in August 2012, he released Reincarnated‘s lead single, “La La La.”
Cannabis Business Ventures
Beyond his music career, Snoop has ventured into the cannabis industry. In November 2015, he launched Leafs By Snoop, making him the first A-list celebrity to brand a line of cannabis products. That same year, he also founded a digital media platform called Merry Jane, dedicated to marijuana-related news and culture.
Continued Musical Endeavors and Screen Appearances
Snoop’s 13th studio album, produced by Pharrell and titled Bush, was released in May 2015. Featuring singles like “Peaches N Cream” and “So Many Pros,” the album debuted at No. 1 on the hip-hop/R&B charts and No. 14 on the Billboard 200. In July 2016, he released his 14th studio album, Coolaid, which received positive acclaim.
In May 2017, Snoop unveiled his 15th studio album, Neva Left. Expanding his repertoire, he released his first gospel album, Bible of Love, in March 2018, before returning to hip-hop with I Wanna Thank Me in the summer of 2019, featuring its titular single.
Since 2016, Snoop has leveraged his charismatic personality on VH1’s Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party, co-hosting celebrity dinner parties with Martha Stewart. He also provided the voice for Cousin Itt in the 2019 animated adaptation of The Addams Family.
Personal Life
Snoop Dogg has been married to his high school sweetheart, Shante Taylor, since 1997. Together, they have two sons and a daughter. Additionally, Snoop is a first cousin to R&B artists Brandy and Ray J, further highlighting his connections within the entertainment industry.