Snoop Dogg
Artist facts
Snoop Dogg (also known as Snoop Lion or the Original OG) is an iconic gangster rap artist affiliated to the West Coast. Born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., Snoop currently is a Hall of Fame rapper who established himself back in the 1990s.
Artist Background
A master lyricist and phenomenon maestro in the art of gangster Rap, Snoop got his breakthrough after producer Dr. Dre gave him a marque appearance in his debut album The Chronic back in 1992. Though he did not get the deserved attention as a singer, Dr. Dre saw significant potential in Snoop Dogg, helping him sharpen his skills by taking the role of a co-conspirator on Snoop’s debut album, Doggystyle.
The track Gin and Juice was an instant hit and soon after Snoop was on the map of stardom, a journey that has lasted for over a quarter of a century. Thanks to his entrepreneurial mind, his rap empire has grown exponentially, identifying him as a modern-day legend.
Born on October 20, 1971 as the second of three sons as Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., in Long Beach, California, US, he enjoyed singing and playing the piano from a young age. He started rapping in sixth grade. In 1989, Snoop graduated from the Long Beach Polytechnic High School.
Artist music career
Briefly after his graduation from high school, Snoop was put behind bars for cocaine possession. The next three years saw Snoop often in and out of prison. It was at this time that Snoop, together with his cousins, documented homemade tapes, calling their group 213, named after the Long Beach area code. One of his early solo freestyles over En Vogue’s Hold On made it into a mixtape that was heard by producer Dr. Dre, who later formally requested him for an audition.
Known for his off-beat laid-back style, Broadus’ stage name Snoop Doggy Dogg fit his rap profile perfectly, and soon after his establishment as an up-and-coming rap icon, he began working on Dre’s debut solo album The Chronic, which became a total success. As a result of this exposure, Doggystyle, which was Snoop Dogg’s debut album in 1993, also became an absolute success.
His second studio album Tha Doggfather was released in 1996 and even though the album was encountered with affirmative approval, it wasn’t as successful as the preceding one. Snoop later signed with Master P’s No Limit Records in 1998 and made a debut on the label with Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told. In the subsequent years, his other albums titled No Limit Top Dogg (1999) and Tha Last Meal (2000) were released.
In 2002, he released the album Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$ which featured the successful singles From tha Chuuuch to da Palace and Beautiful. Snoop’s album R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece was released in 2004, introducing the single Drop It Like It’s Hot. Consequently, during the same year, an additional album, The Hard Way, was also released, inclusive of the single Groupie Luv.
Tha Blue Carpet Treatment released in 2006 and its second single That’s That Shit were also well appraised. During the following years, Snoop released several albums, all in his name. They included Ego Trippin’ (2008), Malice n Wonderland (2009), and Doggumentary (2011) respectively.
Following 2011, Snoop Dogg entered one of the most prolific phases of his career. In 2012, he temporarily adopted the name Snoop Lion, exploring reggae-influenced sounds before returning fully to hip-hop under his original name. From the mid-2010s onward, he released a steady stream of albums that blended classic West Coast G-funk with modern production and cross-genre experimentation.
Notable releases during this era include Bush (2015), Coolaid (2016), Neva Left (2017), the gospel-inspired Bible of Love (2018), I Wanna Thank Me (2019), and From tha Streets 2 tha Suites (2021). In 2022, Snoop released B.O.D.R. (Bacc on Death Row), marking a historic moment as it became the first major release after he acquired ownership of Death Row Records, the label that originally launched his career.
In 2024, Snoop reunited with Dr. Dre for the collaborative album Missionary, reaffirming one of hip-hop’s most influential partnerships. By 2026, Snoop Dogg’s discography exceeds 20 studio albums, along with numerous collaborative projects, mixtapes, and guest appearances, making him one of the longest-running and most productive artists in hip-hop history.
Artist major works and achievements
In 2012, Snoop embraced a fresh stage name, Snoop Lion. Later on, in March 2013, his documentary Reincarnated was released, followed by a studio album of the same name the next month.
Apart from his musical career, Snoop Dogg has performed starring roles in movies such as The Wash (2001), Bones (2001), and Mac and Devin Go to High School (2012). He has also appeared in supporting and cameo roles in films including Half Baked (1998), Training Day (2001), Starsky & Hutch (2004), and Brüno (2009). Furthermore, he has appeared in television programs such as Doggy Fizzle Televizzle and the reality show Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood.
The originally released single Drop It Like It’s Hot from his 2004 album R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece was one of his most fruitful works and achievements. It reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Snoop’s first US No. 1 single.
In 1994, he received the Billboard Music Award in three categories: Top R&B Album Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album Artist – Male, and Top R&B Album Artist – Male. During the same year, Snoop Dogg won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video for the song Doggy Dogg World, and later won the American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist in 1995. In 2005, he received the International Dance Music Award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Dance Track for Drop It Like It’s Hot. He has also received numerous accolades including the Urban Fashion Award, MOBO Award, Stony Award, and Source Award.
In the later stages of his career, Snoop Dogg’s achievements expanded beyond music alone. He has been honored with lifetime and cultural recognition awards celebrating his influence on hip-hop, fashion, and popular culture. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, multiple lifetime achievement honors, and continued industry recognition for his decades-long impact.
In addition to music and film, Snoop Dogg has become a major media personality, sports ambassador, and entrepreneur. His role in acquiring and revitalizing Death Row Records positioned him as a key custodian of West Coast hip-hop history. By 2026, Snoop Dogg is widely regarded not only as a pioneering gangster rapper, but also as a global cultural icon whose legacy spans over three decades and continues to evolve.
