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Snoop Dogg
Background information
Birth name Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr.
Also known as Snoop Doggy Dogg
The D O Double G
Bigg Snoop Dogg
Born October 20, 1971 (1971-10-20) (age 35)
Origin Los Angeles, California, United States
Genre(s) Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper, actor, producer
Years active 1992 – present
Label(s) Death Row, Interscope, Universal, No Limit, Priority, TVT, EMI,
Star Trak, Geffen, Doggystyle
Associated
acts Dr. Dre, 213, Tha Dogg Pound, Tha Eastsidaz, Ice Cube, Xzibit, The
Game, 50 Cent
Website www.snoopdogg.com
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. (born October 20, 1971), better known
professionally as Snoop Dogg and previously Snoop Doggy Dogg, is an American
rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as an MC in the West
Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of producer Dr. Dre's most notable
protégés. His catch phrase is widely known as "fo' shizzle, ma nizzle",
meaning, "for sure, my nigga". That style of slang was invented by Frankie
Smith and The Gap Band in the early eighties, and popularized in part by
fellow rapper E-40,[1] much of which is simply derived by adding an "izz" or
"-izzle" sound to the end of a word.
His mother nicknamed him "Snoopy" as a child because of the way he dressed
and because of his love of the cartoon Peanuts; he took the stage name Snoop
Doggy Dogg when he began recording. He changed his name to Snoop Dogg in
1998, when he left his original record label Death Row Records and signed
with No Limit Records. But he still can be called Snoop Doggy Dogg, which he
does in his songs, or by other rappers.
Biography
Early life
Calvin Broadus was born October 20, 1971, in Long Beach, California. As a
child he received the nickname Snoopy from his mother due to his love of the
television show Peanuts, which was based on the popular comic strip, and
contained a dog of the same name. Snoop Dogg attended Long Beach Polytechnic
High School,[2] and was later convicted for cocaine trafficking. Snoop Dogg
was a member of a local Crips gang (lead by Bow Keene Mundine) in Long
Beach, the Rollin' 20's Crips. Snoop Dogg's conviction caused him to be in
and out of prison for the first three years after he graduated from high
school. Older Crips members and prison inmates affiliated with the Crips
gang had a long-standing pattern of recognizing talent (particularly musical
or sports talent) among their membership, and Snoop Dogg was pushed to make
something of himself as a rapper rather than as a street hustler. Snoop thus
followed up on the homemade rap tapes that he had made with his cousin Nate
Dogg and best friend Warren G (stepbrother of Dr. Dre of N.W.A.).
Originally, Nate's cousin Lil' 1/2 Dead was also part of the group, called
213, named after the Long Beach area code at the time. This was largely in
homage to Richie Rich's group 415, which was named for the (then) area code
of Oakland, California (now the area code of San Francisco and its northern
neighbor Marin County). Several of his cousins also became hip hop artists
and Aftermath collaborators, including RBX, Nate Dogg, Daz Dillinger, and
Joe Cool. He's also the nephew of Soul/Gospel singer Willie Norwood and
cousin of his R&B singing children Ray J and Brandy and he recently released
"Smokin trees" with Ray J and a duet with Brandy was pre-recorded for Tha
Blue Carpet Treatment, but was not part of the album.[3]
Success with Death Row Records
Dr. Dre began collaborating with Snoop Dogg, first on the theme song of the
feature film Deep Cover, and then on Dr. Dre's debut solo album The Chronic
with the other members of his former starting group, Tha Dogg Pound. Snoop
Dogg's contribution to The Chronic was considerable; the rapper's rhymes
were as present as Dr. Dre's. The huge success of Snoop Dogg's debut
Doggystyle was partially due to this intense exposure.
While recording Doggystyle with Dr. Dre in August 1993, Snoop Dogg was
arrested in connection with the death of Phillip Woldermarian, a member of a
rival gang who was fired at and killed in a gang fight. Snoop Dogg was
defended by David Kenner, with his bodyguard McKinley Lee, while Sean Abrams
(accompanying member in the jeep) was defended by Johnnie Cochran.[4] Both
Snoop Dogg and McKinley Lee were acquitted; Lee was acquitted on grounds of
self-defense, but Snoop Dogg remained entangled in the legal battles around
the case for three years. His video "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" with Tupac
Shakur chronicled the difficulties each rapper was dealing with as a result
of their unrelated but concurrent criminal prosecutions.
The Doggystyle album was released in November 1993 on Death Row Records and
became the first debut album ever to enter the charts at #1, helping to fuel
the ascendance of West Coast "g-funk" rap. The singles "Who Am I (What's My
Name)?" and "Gin and Juice" reached the top ten most-played songs in the
United States, and the album stayed on the Billboard charts for several
months. Gangsta rap became the center of arguments for censorship and
labeling, with Snoop Dogg often used as an example of violent and
misogynistic musicians.
Doggystyle, much like The Chronic, featured a host of rappers signed to or
affiliated with the Death Row label including Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Nate
Dogg and others. In 1995 Snoop Dogg and the Dogg Pound were featured on the
Los Angeles Based hip-hop show "Street Vibe '95, produced and directed by
Edmund Darris. This show a spin off of the St. Louis Based show "Eddie D
Live" that promoted heavily rap and hip-hop artist on midwestern television.
Snopp Dogg was reported as being a king among men, according to Edmund
Darris, who interveiwed him and the Dogg Pound exclusively. Darris reported
that despite what the media portrays Snoop Dogg, he is a talented genius and
has the power of words...he is our modern day Shakespere with raging skills
and charisma.
A short film about Snoop Dogg's murder trial called Murder Was the Case, was
released in 1994, along with an accompanying soundtrack.
However, by the time Snoop Dogg's second album, Tha Doggfather, was released
in November 1996, the price of imitating (or sometimes just living) the "gangsta"
life had become very evident. Among the many notable rap industry deaths and
convictions were the death of Snoop Dogg's friend and label-mate Tupac
Shakur and the racketeering indictment of Death Row co-founder Suge Knight.
Dr. Dre had left Death Row earlier in 1996 due to a contract dispute, so
Snoop Dogg co-produced Tha Doggfather with Daz Dillinger and DJ Pooh.
This album featured a distinct change of style as compared to Doggystyle.
While the album sold reasonably well, it was not as successful, and it was
widely believed that its quality suffered from Dr. Dre's lack of
involvement. However, Tha Doggfather had a somewhat softer approach to the
G-funk style, and Snoop Dogg used a less energetic and more charismatic type
of rhyming style, which would be more widely incorporated and exercised
later on in his career.
In the immediate aftermath of Dr. Dre's withdrawal from Death Row Records,
realizing that he was subject to an iron clad time-based contract (i.e.,
that Death Row practically owned anything he produced for a number of
years), Snoop Dogg refused to produce any more tracks for Suge Knight, other
than the insulting "Fuck Death Row", until his contract expired.
Recent years
In recent years, Snoop Dogg's artistic style has moved away from hardcore
gangsta rap; he performed on the alternative rock Lollapalooza tour in 1997,
and he has made several film appearances, in addition to producing and
directing music videos both for himself and other artists. He released an
autobiography in 2001.
In 2000 he joined Dr. Dre, Ice Cube & Eminem on the Up In Smoke Tour
Upon leaving Death Row Records Snoop was approached by a number of record
labels. He eventually signed a contract with Master P's No Limit Records. No
Limit was quite popular at the time, as Southern Hip Hop was going through a
revival and beginning to dominate the charts in a way which had not been
seen since Florida rap dominated the charts in the early 1990s, thanks to 2
Live Crew and Luke. Snoop shortened his name from Snoop Doggy Dogg to Snoop
Dogg, and received a great deal of criticism for signing to the label.
Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told was the first album Snoop released at
No Limit. It received negative reviews, yet still sold well. Snoop put his
stamp of the now ubiquitous "Dirty South" sound on this album. Similar to
the group focus of Death Row Records, many other No Limit Records artists
appeared on the album, and it was produced mostly in-house by Beats By The
Pound. Snoop's next effort, No Limit Top Dogg would re-unite Snoop with his
mentor Dr. Dre for some highlight tracks and see a return to the G-funk
style of his Death Row days; it proved to be a success in both ratings and
sales, as the album embraced both old and new styles of West Coast hip hop
along with assorted guests from the No Limit roster. Snoop Dogg followed
this up with his last album on No Limit Records titled Tha Last Meal, which
built upon the mixture of styles on No Limit Top Dogg.
In 2000, Snoop (as "Michael J. Corleone") directed Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle,
a pornographic film produced by Hustler. This film, combining hip-hop with
X-rated material, was a huge success and won "Top Selling Release of the
Year" at the 2002 AVN Awards.[5] Driven by this success, Snoop directed
Snoop Dogg's Hustlaz: Diary of a Pimp in 2002 (this time using the nickname
"Snoop Scorsese").
Perhaps in conjunction with his entry into the x-rated world, Snoop claimed
in a 2006 interview with Rolling Stone magazine that unlike other hip hop
artists who've superficially adopted the pimp persona, he was an actual
professional pimp in 2003 and 2004, saying "That shit was my natural calling
and once I got involved with it, it became fun. It was like shootin' layups
for me. I was makin' 'em every time." He goes on to say that upon the advice
on some of the other pimps he knew, he eventually gave up pimping to spend
more time with his family.[2]
Snoop founded his own production company, Snoopadelic Films, in 2005. Their
debut film was Boss'n Up, a film inspired by R&G starring Lil Jon and
Trina.[6]
In 2002, Snoop announced that he was giving up women and drugs.[7] Later
that year he released the album Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$, on Capitol
Records which featured the hit singles and videos "From Da Chuuuch to Da
Palace" and "Beautiful," featuring guest vocals by Pharrell Williams.
In 2004 Snoop appeared on the Showtime series The L Word as the character
"Slim Daddy", a portmanteau of Slim Shady and Puff Daddy.
On May 21, 2004, Snoop Dogg filed for divorce from his wife Shante Broadus,
citing irreconcilable differences and seeking joint custody of their three
children, Corde, Cordell, and Cori; they have since reconciled. Later that
year, he collaborated again with his old friends Nate Dogg and Warren G as
part of 213. They released an album The Hard Way, which featured the single
"Groupie Luv", and reached #4 in the U.S. Billboard 200 album charts.
In 2004, Snoop signed to Geffen Records/Star Trak Entertainment both of
which are distributed through Interscope Records; Star Trak was headed by
the Neptunes, who produced several tracks for Snoop's 2004 release R&G
(Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece. "Drop It Like It's Hot" (featuring
Pharrell), the first single released from the album, was a hit and became
Snoop Dogg's first single to reach number one. His third release was
"Signs", featuring Justin Timberlake & Charlie Wilson, which entered the UK
chart at #2. This was his highest entry ever in the UK chart. Rhythm &
Gangsta wasn't too well received by fans, some saying that it wasn't
"gangster" enough. The album sold very well and most singles got alot of
airtime.
He also notably played the drug dealer-turned-informant character of Huggy
Bear, in the 2004 remake film of the 70's TV-series of the same name,
Starsky & Hutch.
Snoop Dogg appeared in the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park.
Snoop Dogg's latest music is being featured on West Coast rap albums such as
Laugh Now, Cry Later by Ice Cube and Cali Iz Active by Tha Dogg Pound. He is
featured on 2 tracks from Cube's album including the single "Go to Church",
and several tracks on Cali Iz Active. Also, his latest song, "Real Talk",
was leaked over the Internet in the summer of 2006 and a video was later
released on the Internet. "Real Talk" is a dedication to Tookie Williams and
a diss to Arnold Schwarzenegger. His two other new songs are "Keep Bouncing"
by Too $hort, Snoop Dogg & will.i.am; and "Gangsta Walk" by Coolio & Snoop
Dogg.
Snoop Dogg's 2006 release, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, did well on its first
week, debuting at #5, which has been his highest since 2000's The Last Meal.
The album, and the second single "That's That Shit" featuring R. Kelly have
been received good critical response so far.
Currently Snoop Dogg is working with producer JT the Bigga Figga on a
documentary DVD entitled Mandatory Business, which will feature the likes of
Russell Simmons, Spike Lee, Xzibit, Young Buck and 50 Cent. There will also
be a soundtrack released for the documentary.
Snoop Dogg recently collaborated in a video with E-40 and other westcoast
rappers for his single Candy which is Snoop Dogg getting a taste of the
hyphy sound from E-40.
On 7 July 2007 Snoop Dogg performed at the German leg of Live Earth in
Hamburg http://liveearth.msn.com/artists/snoopdogg
Recently he gave a shout out to New Zealand Crips gang, The Lowrider BoyZ
(also known as T.L.B) through a radio broadcast.
In July 2007, Snoop Dogg also made history by becoming the first artist to
release a track as a ringtone prior to its release as a single, "It's The
D.O.G.".
He also made an appearance on the hit TV shows Entourage and Monk in July
2007. Bell claimed that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by Broadus
and four others. In December 2004, one month before Bell filed her suit
against him, Snoop sued her, accusing her of extortion. Kylie Bell
eventually dropped her lawsuit, and Snoop dropped his US$5 million
countersuit against her. Snoop's publicist said "absolutely no money" was
paid by the rapper in reaching a settlement.[8]
On April 26, 2006, Snoop Dogg and members of his entourage were arrested
being turned away from British Airways' first class lounge. Snoop and his
party were not allowed to enter the lounge because some of the entourage
were flying first class, other members of the party were flying economy
class. After the group was escorted outside, they vandalized a duty-free
shop by throwing whiskey bottles. Seven police officers were injured in the
fracas. After a night in prison, Snoop Dogg and the other men were released
on bail on April 27, but he was unable to perform at the Premier Foods
People's Concert in Johannesburg on the same day. As part of his bail
conditions, he had to return to the police station in May. The group has
been banned by British Airways for "the foreseeable future."[9][10]
On May 11, when Snoop Dogg appeared at a London police station, he was
cautioned for affray under Section 4 of the Public Order Act for use of
threatening words or behavior [3]. On May 15, the Home Office decided that
Snoop Dogg should be denied entry to the UK for the foreseeable future due
to the fracas at Heathrow as well as his previous convictions in the United
States for drugs and firearms offenses.[11][12]
Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, and The Game have been sued for assaulting a fan
on stage at a May 2005 Auburn concert at the White River Amphitheatre. The
accuser claims he was beaten by the artists' entourage while he was running
up to touch Snoop. He alleges that he reacted to an "open invite" to come on
stage. Before he could, Snoop’s bodyguards grabbed him and he was beaten
unconscious by crew people, including the rapper and producer Soopafly.
Snoop and The Game were included in the suit for not intervening to hold the
fight. The lawsuit focuses on a pecuniary claim of $22 million in punitive
and compensatory damages, battery, negligence, and intentional infliction of
emotional distress.[13]
On September 27, 2006, Snoop Dogg was detained at John Wayne Airport in
Orange County, California by airport security, after airport screeners found
a collapsible police baton in Snoop's carry-on bag. The baton was
confiscated but Snoop was allowed to board the flight. He has been charged
with various weapons violations stemming from this incident. When arrested,
he told deputies the baton was a prop for a movie. Bail was set at $150,000,
which Snoop has paid.
Snoop Dogg was arrested again on October 26, 2006 at Bob Hope Airport in
Burbank, California while parked in a passenger loading zone. Approached by
airport security for a traffic infraction, he was found in possession of
marijuana and a firearm, according to a police statement. He was transported
to Burbank Police Department Jail, booked, and released on $35,000 bond. He
faced firearm and drug possession charges on 12 December at Burbank Superior
Court.[14]
He was again arrested on November 29, 2006, after performing on The Tonight
Show, for possession of marijuana and a firearm.[15]
Snoop Dogg was arrested again on March 12, 2007 at 1:25 a.m CET after
performing in a concert with P.Diddy in Stockholm's Globe Arena, Sweden.
Snoop Dogg was arrested along with a woman after the pair reportedly
"reeked" of marijuana. They were arrested and released 4 hours later after
providing a urine sample. Pending results on urine will determine whether
charges will be pressed. However the rapper denied all charges.[16][17][18]
Snoop Dogg's visa request to enter the United Kingdom was rejected by local
authorities because of the Heathrow incident on March 24, 2007. A planned
concert at London's Wembley Arena on 27th will go ahead with Diddy (with
whom he toured Europe) and the rest of the show. However the decision
affects four more British performances in Cardiff, Manchester, Nottingham
and Glasgow[19] and Budapest (due to rescheduling).[20]
On April 12, 2007 Snoop Dogg was sentenced to five years of probation for
gun and drug charges. He is expected to continue touring.
On April 26, 2007, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship
banned him from entering the country on character grounds, citing his prior
criminal convictions. He had been scheduled to appear at the MTV Australia
Video Music Awards on April 29, 2007.[21]
On July 19, 2007, Snoop Dogg came on a California radio station and publicly
dissed LSU head coach Les Miles, who had criticized Snoop's favorite team -
the USC Trojans.
Discography
* 1993: Doggystyle
* 1996: Tha Doggfather
* 1998: Da Game Is to Be Sold Not to Be Told
* 1999: No Limit Top Dogg
* 2000: Tha Last Meal
* 2002: Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$
* 2004: R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece
* 2006: Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
* 2007/08: Ego Trippin'
Filmography
* 1994: Murder Was the Case (Platinum)
* 1998: Half Baked (cameo appearance)
* 1999: Hot Boyz
* 1999: Whiteboyz
* 1999: Urban Menace
* 2000: Up In Smoke Tour
* 2000: The Eastsidaz (also executive producer) (2x platinum)[22]
* 2001: Baby Boy (Gold)[23]
* 2001: Training Day
* 2001: Bones
* 2001: The Wash
* 2003: Malibu's Most Wanted
* 2003: Old School
* 2004: Starsky & Hutch
* 2004: Soul Plane
* 2005: Boss'n Up
* 2005: Racing Stripes
* 2006: The Tenants
* 2006: MILF Money (Weeds episode)
* 2007: Arthur and the Minimoys (voice)
* 2007: Coach Snoop
* 2007: Monk: role of Murderuss.
o During the opening credits, he covered the title song by Randy Newman It's
a Jungle out There.
Video Games
* True Crime: Streets of LA
* Def Jam Fight For NY (as crow)
* Fear & Respect
* Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
Endorsements, advertisements and products
* St. Ides
* Snoop Dogg 40 Oz Malt liquor
* Boost Mobile cell phone
* Orbit Gum
* Cal Worthington's Ford dealership in Long Beach, California
* "Snoop Doggs" - foot-long hot dogs manufactured in Massachusetts a joint
venture with Platinum One Media [4]
* "Snoop Dogg Board Company (SDBC)" - skateboards and Luggage fabrication
company (with Pentagon Distribution)
* "Snooperbowl" and "Snoop Youth Football league"
* "Chronic Candy" - candy that tastes like marijuana (from Switzerland and
is currently banned in some cities of US)
* Love Don't Live Here No More, Doggy Tales Vol.1 - love novel (co-written
by David E. Talbert, published by Atria and Snoopadelic Films) ISBN
0-7432-7363-X [5]
* Tha Doggfather : The Times, Trials, And Hardcore Truths Of Snoop Dogg -
autobiography (published by William Morrow) Hardcover ISBN 0-688-17158-3,
Paperback ISBN 0-06-107607-4 [6]
* Fear & Respect (project cancelled as of March 1 2006) - PlayStation 2
video game (developed by Midway Games)
* "Doggy Biscuitz" - shoe brand (in partnership with Pony International) [7]
* "Snoop Dogg Clothing" - streetwear (distributed at Macy's)
* "WRFF" - unique design scooters (in cooperation with Salton, Inc.) [8]
* "Hip Hop Gaming League" - a celebrity online gaming competition (hosted by
Global Gaming League) [9]
* "Snoop Dogg figures" (Vital Toys, Sota Toys) [10]
* "Snoop Dogg Boxing" - mobile phone game (Sony Pictures Mobile)
* "Snoop Dogg Pet Accessory Line" (in conjunction with Jakks Pacific)[24]
* Snoop Dogg T-shirts (Alstyle Apparel & Activewear)
* 100 Racks
References
1. ^ ON LANGUAGE: Izzle
2. ^ [1]
3. ^ Snoop Reunites With Dre, Improves Macking Mojo On Tha Blue Carpet
Treatment
4. ^ Los Angeles Times excerpt on the The Tech. News Briefs 1, Volume 115,
Number 52 2. MIT (October 27, 1995). Retrieved on December 15, 2006. “With
O.J. Over, Dogg Trial Begins”
5. ^ AVN Awards Past Winners
6. ^ Quick News On 50 Cent, Kanye West, Irv Gotti, Beyonce, Zack De La
Rocha, Alice In Chains & More
7. ^ Touré. "The Way of the Pimp", Rolling Stone, Wenner Publishing,
2006-12-14, p. 138.
8. ^ Snoop Dogg Has Sexual Assault Lawsuit Dropped
9. ^ Rapper Snoop Dogg freed on bail
10. ^ Rap star to leave UK after arrest
11. ^ Snoop Dogg Forbid From Entering UK After Airport Altercation
12. ^ Snoop 'banned from UK'
13. ^ XXL Magazine Snoop Dogg, Dogg Pound and The Game Sued for Concert
Assault
14. ^ CNN Law Center retrieved on 27 October, 2006
15. ^ Associated Press
16. ^ http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur32031.cfm
17. ^ http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/12032007/snoop_arrested
18. ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSL1230455320070312
19. ^ http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/24/snoop.london.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
20. ^ http://www.hiphop.hu
21. ^ Look who put the Dogg out - Sydney Morning Herald, 26 April 2007
22. ^ Emi Music Sweden
23. ^ Sales Awards by the Entertainment Merchants Association
24. ^ SFGate,Hearst Communications Inc.,2006
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