Introduction
Over the last three decades, Snoop Dogg has cemented his status as a hip hop icon. With his laidback flow, signature braided hairstyles, and larger-than-life persona, Snoop has captivated fans worldwide. While his music and pop culture influence is undeniable, one of the most enduring aspects of his legacy is his name itself. The origins of Snoop Dogg’s iconic moniker have become the stuff of hip hop legend.
But how did Calvin Broadus Jr., a young rapper from Long Beach, California, become known globally as Snoop Dogg? The story behind Snoop’s name reveals his roots in West Coast gangsta rap and close association with Dr. Dre. Tracing the evolution of his stage names over the years also provides insight into Snoop’s creative journey and reinvention as an artist. Ultimately, the name Snoop Dogg encapsulates a defining era in hip hop history.
Early Life
Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. was born on October 20, 1971 in Long Beach, California (1). He was the second of three sons born to Beverly Broadus (née Tate) and Vernell Varnado, who was a Vietnam veteran, singer, and mail carrier (2). His parents nicknamed him “Snoopy” as a child because of his appearance, but usually addressed him as Calvin at home (1).
Broadus was very close to his family growing up. His parents divorced when he was still a toddler, and he and his brothers spent their early years living with their maternal grandmother until their mother remarried and reunited with her children (2).
As a boy, Broadus sang in Golgotha Trinity Baptist Church and began playing the piano and guitar in sixth grade. His lifelong love of music was nurtured by his family who encouraged him to explore his artistic talents (1).
Sources:
(1) https://www.britannica.com/biography/Snoop-Dogg
(2) https://www.biography.com/musicians/snoop-dogg
High School Years
As a child, Broadus got the nickname “Snoopy” from his parents, as mentioned on Simple English Wikipedia (“Snoop Dogg – Simple English Wikipedia, the free …,” n.d.). This was likely a reference to the Peanuts comic strip character. According to NickiSwift.com, the origins of his stage name “trace back to a childhood nickname” (“How Did Snoop Dogg Really Get His Stage Name?,” 2023). His family played a key role in influencing his nickname growing up.
Early Music Career
As a teenager, the rapper began recording homemade tapes under the name “Snoop Doggy Dogg” with his cousin Nate Dogg and friend Warren G as 213. One of his early demos found its way to Dr. Dre, who invited Snoop Dogg to audition. Impressed by the young rapper’s flow, Dre collaborated with him on the theme song for the 1992 film Deep Cover and on Dr. Dre’s solo debut album The Chronic, released in late 1992.
Snoop Dogg appeared on four of the album’s tracks, including on the singles “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” and “Fuck wit Dre Day.” The Chronic became a massive hit, spending months on top of the Billboard 200 amid widespread media buzz and multiple controversies about the gangster image propagated by Death Row Records.
Riding high off the success of The Chronic, Snoop Dogg began working on his debut solo album Doggystyle, collaborating again with Dr. Dre who served as the album’s executive producer. Most of Doggystyle was recorded in early 1993, with Dre recording new parts and remixing some existing vocals. Doggystyle was released in November 1993 by Death Row Records and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, propelled by the immense commercial success of the singles “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?” and “Gin and Juice.”
Working with Dr. Dre
In 1992, Snoop was featured on Dr. Dre’s debut solo single “Deep Cover” and then on Dre’s debut solo album The Chronic. Snoop’s smooth, laidback flow was a perfect complement to Dre’s G-Funk sound. Dr. Dre collaborated with Snoop to help further develop his rap persona. According to Snoop, Dr. Dre started calling him “Snoop Doggy Dogg” during their collaboration. Snoop explained the origins of the name in an interview with The New York Times: “That name was given to me by Dr. Dre. I used to carry a little pocket dog around and Dr. Dre used to say, ‘You’re like a little snoop doggy dog'”. (Source) The name stuck and Snoop eventually shortened it to just “Snoop Dogg”.
Debut Album
In 1993, Snoop Dogg released his massively successful debut album Doggystyle on Death Row Records. The album, which featured singles like “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?” and “Gin and Juice”, was a monumental success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and becoming certified quadruple platinum. It established Snoop as one of the biggest stars in hip hop under his original stage name, Snoop Doggy Dogg.
As noted in the Wikipedia article on Doggystyle, the album is considered one of the most significant rap albums of the 1990s and a defining record of the emerging West Coast G-Funk style of rap music. The success of Doggystyle cemented Snoop’s status as a hip hop icon and household name.
Shortened to Snoop Dogg
In the beginning of his music career, Snoop Dogg went by the stage name Snoop Doggy Dogg. He was given this stage name by producer Dr. Dre when he started working on his debut album Doggystyle in 1992 (1). The name Snoop Doggy Dogg was inspired by Snoop’s childhood nickname “Snoopy” and by the TV cartoon character Snoopy the Dog (2).
However, in 1996 after the release of his second album Tha Doggfather, Snoop decided to shorten his stage name to just “Snoop Dogg” (3). He felt that the name Snoop Doggy Dogg was too long and believed a shorter name would have more mass appeal (4). Dropping “Doggy” from his name also marked a shift to a more mature sound and image for Snoop’s music (5). From 1996 onwards, he has been known worldwide simply as Snoop Dogg.
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoop_Dogg
(2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWCZse1iwE0
Meaning Behind the Name
Snoop’s well-known nickname has an interesting backstory. According to sources, the name “Snoop Doggy Dogg” originated from his childhood.
As a kid, Snoop had a fascination with the Peanuts cartoon character Snoopy. Snoop’s family and friends noted his resemblance to the inquisitive dog, and the nickname “Snoop” stuck. The name referenced his tendency to snoop around and spy on others.
The “Dogg” portion of his name stems from the canine and dog imagery frequently used in his lyrics. It started as a play on the term “doggystyle” and eventually became permanently attached when he was first signed to Death Row Records in 1992.
His full stage name at the time was Snoop Doggy Dogg, but it was later shortened to just Snoop Dogg as his fame grew exponentially in the mid 1990s.
According to an article on NickiSwift.com, Snoop reflected on the name: “I want to explain where I got my name from, for the people who don’t really understand where it came from. My name didn’t just come from what I look like or what I did. It was given to me by the neighborhood.”
Global Recognition
By the mid-1990s, Snoop Dogg had become a household name not just in hip hop but in pop culture worldwide. Songs like “Gin and Juice,” “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?,” and “Murder Was the Case” had made him a major MTV fixture. His laidback flow, signature braids, and West Coast style defined the classic 1990s gangsta rap aesthetic.1 Snoop was ascending to the level of fame and ubiquity rarely seen in hip hop at the time. He collaborated with legendary artists from Dr. Dre to Tupac and appeared in films and commercials. Brands like Adidas and Chrysler used his music in ads, recognizing his marketing appeal.2
By the late 90s, Snoop Dogg had become a bonafide international celebrity. His name and music were recognizable from America to Europe to Asia and beyond. Snoop embodied West Coast hip hop and Cali cool. Over the decades since, he has maintained elite status and high demand for his music, films, and endorsements. From featuring in Bollywood films to Super Bowl ads, Snoop Dogg’s longevity demonstrates how he transcended rap to become a staple of worldwide pop culture.
Conclusion
Snoop Dogg, born Calvin Broadus, is an American rapper whose career took off in 1992 when he was featured on Dr. Dre’s debut solo album The Chronic. His laidback flow and smooth delivery made him an instant star. The following year, he released his hugely successful debut album Doggystyle. Around this time, Broadus adopted the stage name Snoop Doggy Dogg, which was later shortened to simply Snoop Dogg. The name referred to his childhood nickname “Snoopy” and also referenced his vocal style that resembled a dog’s bark. Over his long career, Snoop Dogg has sold over 35 million albums worldwide and become one of the most recognizable faces in hip hop. His name is now known globally and he has expanded beyond music into movies, TV shows, and brand partnerships. Snoop Dogg’s laidback flow and inventive lyrical delivery have made him a rap icon, cementing his status as a true pioneer in the genre. From his origins as a Long Beach teenager to his rise to international stardom, the incredible career of Snoop Dogg serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists worldwide.
