Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg rose to prominence in 1992 through collaborations with Dr. Dre, first on the single “Deep Cover” and then on Dre’s album The Chronic, including “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang.” His drawled delivery and melodic flow became closely associated with the G-funk sound and West Coast gangsta rap. Born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. on October 20, 1971, in Long Beach, California, he works as a rapper, singer, record producer, record executive, songwriter, and actor.

Produced by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg’s debut album Doggystyle arrived in 1993 and entered the Billboard 200 at number one after selling 806,000 copies in its first week. The record produced the singles “What’s My Name?” and “Gin and Juice,” and later received quadruple-platinum certification from the RIAA. Its 1996 follow-up, Tha Doggfather, also debuted at number one. After leaving Death Row Records, he signed with Master P’s No Limit Records and released Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told in 1998, No Limit Top Dogg in 1999, and Tha Last Meal in 2000.

His 2004 album R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece included “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” featuring Pharrell, which became his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. Snoop Dogg has also worked under different names and across styles. As Snoop Lion, he released the reggae album Reincarnated in 2013, accompanied by a documentary film about his experience in Jamaica. Later releases included the Pharrell-produced Bush in 2015 and the gospel album Bible of Love in 2018. In 2022, he acquired Death Row Records from MNRK Music Group and released BODR.

His lyrics have frequently addressed subjects including recreational drug use and gun violence. Over his career, Snoop Dogg has sold more than 35 million records worldwide. He co-headlined the Super Bowl LVI halftime show in 2022, a performance that earned a Primetime Emmy Award. His honors also include 17 Grammy Award nominations, two Sports Emmy Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Beyond recording, he has appeared in films and other media, and served as a coach on The Voice.