Snoop Dogg is an American rapper, singer, record producer, songwriter and actor from Long Beach, United States. Born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. in 1971, he is also known as Snoop Doggy Dogg and is a prominent figure in West Coast hip-hop.

Career

Snoop Dogg first gains major attention in 1992 through his work with Dr. Dre, appearing on the single “Deep Cover” and on Dre’s album The Chronic, including “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang.” His debut album, Doggystyle, is released in 1993, produced by Dr. Dre, and debuts at number one on the Billboard 200. It includes the singles “What’s My Name?” and “Gin and Juice” and later receives quadruple platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.

His second album, Tha Doggfather, also debuts at number one on the Billboard 200 in 1996. After leaving Death Row Records, he signs with No Limit Records and releases Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told in 1998, No Limit Top Dogg in 1999 and Tha Last Meal in 2000. Later albums include Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss, R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, Ego Trippin’, Malice n Wonderland, Doggumentary, Reincarnated as Snoop Lion, Bush, Coolaid, Neva Left, Bible of Love, I Wanna Thank Me, From tha Streets 2 tha Suites and BODR.

Style and themes

He is noted for a distinctive drawled vocal delivery and melodic flow. His lyrics often address recreational drug use and gun violence. He is associated with gangsta rap, g-funk, hip hop, west coast hip hop and christian hip hop.

Collaborations and releases

His work with Dr. Dre is central to his early rise, and “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” featuring Pharrell on R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece, becomes his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2013, he uses the name Snoop Lion for the reggae album Reincarnated, which is accompanied by a documentary film about his time in Jamaica. He later returns to the Snoop Dogg name.

Labels, awards and media work

He is associated with Death Row Records, No Limit Records, Dogghouse Records, Doggy Style Records and Cadillacc Music. He acquires Death Row Records from MNRK Music Group in 2022 and releases BODR that year. He has sold more than 35 million records worldwide, receives seventeen Grammy Award nominations, two Sports Emmy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also co-headlines the Super Bowl LVI halftime show in 2022 and receives a Primetime Emmy Award with the other performers. Outside music, he appears in films and television programmes and serves as a coach on The Voice.

Associated acts

His associated groups and projects include 213, Tha Eastsidaz, Mount Westmore, Tha Snoopadelics, Doggy Style Allstars, Doggy’s Angels, 9 Inch Dix, West Coast Bad Boyz, Death Row Players, Beats by Dre Band, DPGC, Death Row Eastsidaz, The No Limit Soldiers, Lethal Interjection Crew, QDT, The Christmas All-Stars and LBC Movement.