The Snoop Dogg Story – From Gangsta to Greatness

Snoop Dogg and hip-hop have become synonymous in today’s time. The world-famous American rapper has cemented his legacy and become a one-of-a-kind artist. To name a few, his accolades include an American Music Award, A Primetime Emmy Award, and 17 Grammy Award nominations.

Along with numerous awards commercial success has also been Dogg’s witness in proving that he is the best rapper of all time. However, not many people know Dogg’s story of hardship. Let’s dive into Snoop Dogg’s success story, from being a gangster rapper to one of the world’s greatest pop culture icons.

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Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Snoop Dogg aka Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. was born on October 20, 1971, in Long Beach California, and first got involved with music through church. He sang and played piano at Golgotha Trinity Baptist Church in his childhood. His mother was a member of the church choir and his primal music influence.

Dogg raps about it in ‘Tha Doggfather,’ “Mama was one of my prime musical influences growing up. First off, there was the church. She herself was a member of the choir.”

Dogg got his name from his mother who called him ‘Snoopy’ because that was his favourite cartoon character. It was in 6th grade when Dogg began rapping. According to the Los Angeles Times, he was always good at it and would attract a crowd of students to his raps in school, making the principal think that a fight was going on.

Dogg began to indulge in illegal activities in his teenage years. According to Rolling Stone, He belonged to the Rollin’20s Crisps gang in the East Side neighbourhood of Long Beach. However, he has always denied it.

Dogg recorded his first homemade tapes with his cousins, Nate Dogg and Lil’ ½ Dead, and his friend Warren G and their group was called 213. Dogg was discovered by Dr. Dre when his freestyle tape ended up with Dr. Dre, who was impressed with Dogg and asked him to audition in 1991 for his label called Death Row Records.

Collaboration with Dr. Dre

In 1992, Dogg officially began working with Dr. Dre on track for a film called Deep Cover and later Dre’s debut album The Chronic. This was an intense exposure for Dogg that contributed to the success of his debut album, Doggystyle.

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With the West Coast G-funk hip-hop being on the rise at that time, Dogg’s singles “Who Am I (What’s my name)?” and “Gin and Juice” reached the top ten songs played in the United States and the album stayed on the charts for several months. According to the New York Times, Around this time Gangsta rap became the centre of arguments circling Dogg for violence and misogynism. However, music Journalist, Chuck Philips, and Rolling Stone music critic, Toure, said Dogg seemed to show his softer side, unlike many gangsta rappers.

Transitioning from Gangsta Rap to a Mainstream Icon

According to the Wrap, Dogg got arrested for first-degree murder in 1993 for shooting a rival gang member, who was killed by Dogg’s bodyguard. Dogg was acquitted in 1996. According to Dogg, after the trial, he did not want to continue having the gangsta lifestyle because he felt it might cost him his life one day.

Later, Dogg collaborated with late rapper Tupac Shakur on the 1996 single, 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted. This was one of the last songs of Shakur.

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Dogg also released his second album, Tha Doggfather, in 1996. The album was a commercial success. In 1997, Dogg participated in the Lollapalooza concert tour.

Dogg signed with No Limit Records in 1998 and debuted on the label with Da Game is to be Sold, Not to be Told. Dogg released several albums with the label and has had continued success ever since.

Diversifying His Career: Beyond Hip-Hop

Apart from hip-hop, Dogg had other ventures in place as well. Dogg has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including starring roles in “The Wash” and “Bones”, and co-starring with Wiz Khalifa in “Mac and Devin Go to High School.” He has also worked on adult films, founded Snoopadelic Films, and released a cookbook.

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In 2017 Snoop Dogg tHosted “The Joker’s Wild” Revival and June 2021 He Joined Def Jam Recordings as an Executive.

He acquired Death Row Records, appeared in “Call of Duty” as an operator, and is set to coach on “The Voice” in 2024.

Dogg appeared during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics on August 11, 2024, and performed “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “The Next Episode,” alongside Dre.

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