Snoop Dogg, born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. on October 20, 1971, in Long Beach, California, grew up in a tough neighborhood where music and street culture shaped much of his early life. He was nicknamed "Snoopy" by his mother because of his resemblance to the Peanuts cartoon character, which later inspired his stage name. As a child, he sang and played piano at church, but by his teenage years, he became entangled in gang life and had several run-ins with the law.
Despite this, his natural gift for rapping began to shine, and he recorded homemade tapes with his friends, one of which eventually reached the ears of Dr. Dre.
His big break came in 1992 when Dr. Dre featured him on the soundtrack of the film Deep Cover and then on his landmark album The Chronic. Snoop’s laid-back, melodic flow immediately stood out, propelling him into the spotlight. In 1993, he released his debut album, Doggystyle, under Death Row Records, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Songs like "Gin and Juice" and "What's My Name?" cemented him as one of hip hop’s most recognizable voices. The album’s success not only made Snoop a household name but also solidified West Coast rap’s dominance in the early 1990s.
Over the years, Snoop Dogg’s career evolved beyond Death Row Records, especially after its decline. He moved to No Limit Records in the late 1990s, releasing albums like Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told. His music shifted in style, but he consistently remained relevant, thanks to his charisma and adaptability. In the 2000s, he explored new sounds with hits like “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Beautiful.” His collaborations spanned across genres, from hip hop to reggae, funk, and even gospel. In 2012, he briefly rebranded himself as “Snoop Lion” during his exploration of reggae, releasing the album Reincarnated.
Beyond music, Snoop Dogg has established himself as a cultural icon in entertainment. He has appeared in numerous films such as Baby Boy, Starsky & Hutch, Training Day, and Soul Plane, often playing comedic or streetwise roles. His television appearances have also been notable, from guest spots on shows like The L Word to his reality series Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood and his popular cooking show alongside Martha Stewart. His versatility has kept him relevant to audiences far outside the rap world, making him both a hip hop legend and a mainstream celebrity.
Snoop’s life has not been without controversy. In the 1990s, he was famously tried for murder after his bodyguard was involved in the shooting of a rival gang member; he was eventually acquitted. Over the years, he has faced drug-related arrests and criticism for his explicit lyrics and lifestyle. Yet, he has also reinvented himself multiple times, leaning into his role as a family man, entrepreneur, and even youth football coach. His cannabis advocacy, once controversial, has now become part of his business empire as marijuana legalization spread across the U.S.
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