Introducing Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, media personality, entrepreneur, and actor who has been an influential figure in hip hop since the early 1990s. His real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. and he was born on October 20, 1971 in Long Beach, California (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoop_Dogg). Snoop’s music career began in 1992 when he was discovered by Dr. Dre and featured on Dre’s album The Chronic. This launched Snoop’s own successful solo career starting with his debut album Doggystyle in 1993, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart (Snoop Dogg – Biography).
Snoop Dogg’s Early Life
Snoop Dogg was born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. on October 20, 1971 in Long Beach, California to parents Vernall Varnado and Beverly Broadus (source: https://www.biography.com/musicians/snoop-dogg). His parents nicknamed him “Snoopy” as a child because of his appearance and the Peanuts character Snoopy. Snoop grew up in Long Beach and attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School.
As a child, Snoop lived a modest life in a primarily black neighborhood riddled with street gang activity. He started singing and playing piano at a young age in the Golgotha Trinity Baptist Church choir. However, he began dealing drugs as a teenager and joined the notorious Crips gang. Despite his involvement with gangs, Snoop maintained good grades in school. His mother and stepfather wished for him to pursue a career as an athlete or join the military after high school.
High School Years
Snoop Dogg attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California. He began rapping in high school and was a member of the Rollin’ 20 Crips gang, despite his mother’s attempts to keep him out of gang life. Snoop was an avid football and basketball player in high school, playing as a wide receiver on the football team and starting at point guard on the basketball team. However, his athletic career was derailed after he was arrested shortly before his graduation for possession of cocaine. Despite this setback, Snoop Dogg managed to graduate high school in 1989. Academics were not his main focus during his high school years, as he spent more time pursuing music and gang activity. Still, he was able to complete the necessary coursework and earn his diploma before launching his rap career shortly thereafter.
According to the biography page on Wikipedia, Long Beach Polytechnic High School played an integral role in Snoop Dogg’s formative years and helped set him on the path toward fame and success.
Brief College Experience
After graduating from high school, Snoop Dogg attended Long Beach City College in California. According to Wikipedia, Snoop was a member of the football team at Long Beach City College. However, as noted on Quora, Snoop did not actually graduate from the college.
Snoop only attended Long Beach City College for around 3 years before deciding to drop out in order to pursue a career in music. So while he did briefly enroll in college after finishing high school, he did not complete his degree. Ultimately, the calling of hip hop proved too strong and Snoop left higher education behind.
Launching Music Career
Snoop Dogg’s music career began in 1992 when he was discovered by Dr. Dre. Dre was impressed by Snoop’s vocal style and charisma when he heard a demo tape that Snoop had made. Dre signed Snoop to his record label, Death Row Records, that same year.
Snoop’s debut album, Doggystyle, was released in 1993 through Death Row Records. The album was produced almost entirely by Dr. Dre and featured Snoop’s laidback vocal delivery over Dre’s G-funk production. Doggystyle was a major success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 800,000 copies in its first week. The album’s first single, “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?”, reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.
The quick success of Doggystyle announced Snoop Dogg as one of the preeminent rappers on the West Coast hip hop scene in the early 1990s. His collaboration with Dr. Dre was crucial in helping launch his music career. [1]
Rise to Fame
Snoop Dogg’s debut album, Doggystyle, was released in November 1993 by Death Row Records. The album was produced by Dr. Dre and featured singles like “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?” and “Gin and Juice.” Doggystyle became a huge commercial success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 800,000 copies in its first week alone (Wikipedia). It is widely considered to be one of the most significant and influential hip hop albums of the 1990s.
The success of Doggystyle cemented Snoop Dogg’s status as a hip hop superstar. His charismatic flow, smooth delivery, and catchy party anthems made him a household name. Snoop was featured on hit singles like “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” and “California Love” which also contributed to his meteoric rise in popularity. By the mid-90s, Snoop had become one of the most famous faces and voices in rap music.
Continued Music Success
After achieving mainstream fame in the 1990s, Snoop Dogg continued releasing successful albums into the 2000s and beyond. In 2000, he released his fifth studio album Tha Last Meal, which debuted at number 9 on the Billboard 200 and featured the hit single “Lay Low” (Snoop Dogg discography). His 2002 album Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$ debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and marked his first album under his newly founded record label Doggystyle Records.
Snoop continued evolving his music style over the years, incorporating more funk and soul influences. His 2006 album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment signaled a return to his West coast gangsta rap roots and included collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Raphael Saadiq (Snoop Dogg’s albums ranked). In 2008, he switched to a more pop-oriented sound with Ego Trippin’, which featured the hit single “Sensual Seduction.” Throughout his career, Snoop has shown an ability to adapt with the times while maintaining his distinctive smooth flow.
Other Career Ventures
In addition to his hugely successful music career, Snoop Dogg has also pursued acting and business opportunities over the years. He made his film debut in Half Baked in 1998 and has since appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including Training Day, Starsky & Hutch, Scary Movie 5, and The L Word. Some of his most memorable roles have been in the comedy films Old School and The Wash. He also created and starred in his own sketch comedy series for MTV called Doggy Fizzle Televizzle in the early 2000s.
On the business side, Snoop has founded several companies and invested in various entrepreneurial ventures. In 2015, he co-founded the media platform Merry Jane focused on cannabis and pop culture. He also started his own cannabis product lines Leafs By Snoop and Beyond / Hello under the umbrella of his firm Casa Verde Capital. Additionally, Snoop has invested in several tech startups including Reddit, Robinhood, and Dog for Dog.
Snoop is also known for his philanthropy and community involvement. He established the Snoop Youth Football League in 2005 to provide opportunities for inner-city youth. According to Look To The Stars, Snoop has supported organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and MusiCares among others. After converting to Rastafari religion, he announced a reincarnated alter ego Snoop Lion and released a reggae album to benefit disadvantaged youth in Jamaica.
Sources:
https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/snoop-lion
https://vocal.media/motivation/the-legendary-career-of-snoop-dogg-from-music-to-entrepreneurship
Legacy and Influence
Over his decades-long career, Snoop Dogg has had an enormous influence on hip hop music and culture. He is credited with popularizing the laidback, smooth flow and lyrical style of West Coast gangsta rap. Snoop’s iconic lazy drawl and effortlessly cool persona made him a star and cemented his status as a rap icon. According to one source, “For over 25 years, he has championed West Coast hip hop.”
With smash hits like “Gin and Juice” and “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?”, Snoop brought G-funk rhythms and catchy hooks to the mainstream. As described by Medium, “Snoop Dogg is a living legend and a master of his craft.” The artist has been praised for his charisma and showmanship, bringing fun party vibes and humor to his songs. Snoop also helped launch the careers of other prominent West Coast rappers like Warren G and Nate Dogg through collaborations.
Beyond just music, Snoop has become a pop culture phenomenon. He has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, showing off his natural charisma and talents as an entertainer. Snoop’s unique slang and catchphrases have entered the cultural lexicon. He has also built a successful business empire spanning beyond music into brands like cookbooks, wines, and a media company. As stated by LA Explained, Snoop found “inspiration in the musical heritage of the city.” Now in his 5th decade of fame, Snoop Dogg remains one of hip hop’s most beloved, recognizable icons.
The Answer
Snoop Dogg did not graduate from college. He attended Long Beach City College for three years, but did not earn a degree. Snoop Dogg left college before graduating to pursue a career in hip hop music. Though his time in college was limited, it helped pave the way for his future music career. He began rapping and DJing at house parties while in college, gaining local recognition. Soon after leaving Long Beach City College, Snoop was discovered by Dr. Dre and signed to Death Row Records in 1992, going on to achieve massive mainstream success. So while he did not obtain a college diploma, Snoop Dogg’s brief college experience played an important role in connecting him to the music industry and launching his iconic career as a rapper.
