Snoop Dogg (real and full name Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.) is a unique rapper and an extraordinary musician who has managed to become a true legend in his genre. Today, he is a living symbol of the entire US music industry and a whole musical direction.
Snoop Dogg
Childhood and Youth
Calvin was born to Beverly Tate and Vernell Varnado on October 20, 1971, in California, USA. His father was a musician, but he left the family shortly after his son's birth and did not participate in his upbringing. Over time, Calvin's mother remarried, and the boy took his stepfather's surname.
Snoop Dogg in his early years
The only thing Snoop Dogg inherited from his biological father was a love for music. After his departure, the former musician left many records in the house, giving the young boy the opportunity to immerse himself in the world of music from an early age. From his early childhood, he sang in a church choir for black children, played the piano, and created his own rhythms and melodies.
In middle school, Calvin became interested in rap music, and it was during this period that he adopted the pseudonym Snoop Doggy Dogg. The boy's mother called him Snoopy. As the performer himself noted, this was due to his natural curiosity and his undeniable love for the cartoon dog series.
During his school years, the musician was a member of the Crips gang, which was involved in drug trafficking. After graduating from high school, Calvin enrolled in a Long Beach Polytechnic high school. However, he soon ended up in jail for six months for cocaine possession. Later in his interviews, Calvin admitted that from 1989 to 1991 he was repeatedly behind bars.
During his school years, Snoop Dogg was a member of a street gang
After his release, Snoop Dogg quit his university studies and returned to his musical pursuits: he made several demo recordings with his friends, which ended up on the desk of the famous musician and producer Dr. Dre.
Music Career
In 1992, two rappers began work on a joint album called "The Chronic", which became a bestseller in Canada and the United States. Not only was the iconic Dr. Dre praised, but also his young friend, Snoop Dogg. His vivid lyrics and unique delivery style made him a star even before the release of his first solo album.
A year later, the musicians started gathering material for Snoop Dogg's first solo album. As a result, "Doggystyle" became the most anticipated album of 1993.
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre
The gangsta rap genre troubled the US government, and Snoop Dogg's work along with his colleagues was even discussed in Congress, but this only increased the artist's popularity. In 1995, Snoop founded his own record label, Doggy Style Records, and a year later released his second solo album "Tha Doggfather", dedicated to the memory of Tupac Shakur.
Snoop Dogg - Tha Doggfather
In 1994, the rapper began his acting career, primarily playing himself. Mostly, he appeared in crime films such as "Caught Up" (1998) and "Half Baked" (1998). However, Snoop Dogg later appeared in comedic films, such as "Scary Movie 5" (2013), which also featured Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen.
Snoop Dogg in the movie Scary Movie 5
In 1998, Snoop signed a contract with the label No Limit Records and shortened his pseudonym to Snoop Dogg. There he recorded three albums: Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told, No Limit Top Dogg, and Tha Last Meal, each of which only increased the artist's success.
Snoop Dogg - Drop It Like It’s Hot
In 2004, for the first time in his career, his single "Drop It Like It’s Hot" topped the Billboard Hot 100. Two years later, Snoop Dogg worked on joint singles with the rising band Pussycat Dolls, for which the rapper's participation in the album recording brought unprecedented success at the time.
Snoop Dogg and his wax figure at Madame Tussauds museum
By 2009, Snoop Dogg's wax figure was installed in the Las Vegas branch of Madame Tussauds museum. From 2011 to 2013, Snoop experimented with music genres: under the pseudonym Snoop Lion, he released several reggae compositions and also played DJ sets at the Electric Zoo festival under the nickname Snoopadelic.
In 2017, Snoop released his 15th solo album, Neva Left, and a year later, another album, Bible of Love.
Snoop Dogg - Words Are Few
In addition to his music career, Snoop Dogg has also been successful in business. His commercial projects include a clothing and footwear brand, headphones, skateboards, cigars, and even adult films.
Snoop Dogg's Personal Life
In June 1997, Calvin married a girl named Shante Taylor, who was his school sweetheart and with whom they already had a common son, Corde (1994). That same year, another son, Cordell, was born, and in 1999 - a daughter, Cori.
Snoop Dogg with his wife and children
For a long time, the musician's family seemed completely happy. However, in 2004, the artist filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences in their relationship with his wife. Four years later, the lovers started dating again and even renewed their wedding vows for the second time.
Snoop Dogg Now
The rapper's most recent album "Bacc On Death Row" was released in 2022 under the label Death Row Records. He is increasingly dedicating his time to his acting career. In 2021, Snoop Dogg appeared in the series "Black Mafia Family" as Pastor Swift. In 2022, he featured in comedian rapper Machine Gun Kelly's "Good Mourning" and in J.J. Perry's action film "Day Shift". He made a cameo in the comedy "House Party" by newcomer Calmatic, who previously only directed music videos, in 2023.
A scene from the series 'Black Mafia Family'
In November 2023, the rapper shocked fans by announcing that he was quitting smoking. However, it soon emerged that the musician had no intention of giving up part of his image, but was simply advertising smokeless stoves.
-
Zachary Connor Edwards
2021-05-05 09:47:38
-
Daniel Brown
2021-05-02 13:54:25
-
Angel Joseph White
2021-04-30 20:36:06
-
Donald Adams
2021-04-24 17:23:19
-
Blake Seth Anderson
2020-12-30 10:44:16
5