Rapper, businessman and now Olympic commentator: learn more about Snoop Dogg

“He’s a character,” is a common comment when the subject is Snoop Dogg, 52, one of the non-sports figures who has been attracting the most attention at the Paris Games — whether carrying the torch, commentating on events or randomly hanging out in the audience in different categories. In one of them, he was guided by Brazilian skateboarder Leticia Bufoni.

Snoop, born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. in Long Beach, California, got his start in music as a child, singing and playing piano in his church choir. Sponsored by Dr. Dre, he launched his rap career as Snoop Doggy Dogg in the early 1990s, making guest appearances on other artists’ tracks. In 1993, he released his debut album, “Doggystyle,” on Death Row (a record label founded by Dr. Dre and now owned by him). It was a stunner.

The album sold 8 million copies and catapulted Snoop to the forefront of gangsta rap, a genre characterized by lyrics with explicit themes (the name of the album itself makes this clear: it is a pun on his name and a well-known slang term for a sexual position). In the years that followed, he released 18 albums, had several songs on the charts and sold more than 60 million records.

It was at the turn of the millennium that the singer reached the height of his fame. In 1998, he dropped his third name and began to sign as Snoop Dogg. It was with this name that he landed in Rio de Janeiro in 2002, where he released the hit “Beautiful”, featuring Pharrell Williams.

The music video was filmed on Leme beach, in the southern part of the city, and in less touristy spots, such as Parque Lage. It was during this time that Snoop became MTV’s darling, began to partner with hip hop artists and artists from other genres, such as pop and rock, and ended up in Hollywood, exploring his comedic side in films such as “Baby Boy” and “Training Day”.

His charismatic side has earned the star numerous advertising partnerships and appearances on TV shows. Last year, he made viewers laugh when he starred in a lighter campaign alongside TV host Martha Stewart, with whom he has been friends for decades. Martha is an investor in the cannabis industry and even hosted a cooking show alongside Snoop.

SNOOP LION

In 2012, after a trip to Jamaica, Snoop decided to launch himself as a reggae artist and composed the album “Reincarnated”, which accompanied a documentary of the same name. He also launched a new persona, under the pseudonym Snoop Lion.

The album was a critical success and featured artists such as Drake, Busta Rhymes, Akon, Chris Brown, Mavado, Popcaan, Mr. Vegas, Miley Cyrus, Rita Ora, Major Lazer and Diplo, among others. The album was nominated for a Grammy for best reggae album. Snoop, in fact, has 13 Grammy nominations, but has never taken home the award.

MARIJUANA ACTIVIST (AND BUSINESSMAN)

Throughout his career, Snoop has advocated for the recreational use of marijuana, which is now legal in parts of the US. One of the biggest hits on his album “Reincarnated” is “Smoke the Weed.” In 2023, he publicly announced that he would quit smoking marijuana, but it was all a marketing stunt to promote his own cannabis brand.

Two weeks ago, the artist opened the first SWED store in Los Angeles, which stands for “smoke weed every day.” The next store will open in August in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, once the rapper finishes his current commitment as an Olympic commentator.

Snoop’s legacy in hip hop goes far beyond music and advocacy for weed. The rapper, who acquired Death Row in 2022, has since spun off the label into a clothing brand. The looks, often worn by him and other artists, feature prints and references that hark back to the rap of the 1980s and 1990s.

GRANDPA SNOOP

Snoop made his name by surrounding himself with scantily clad women while claiming to be a “pimp.” Was he sexist? Did he objectify women’s bodies? These issues were addressed early in his career, but they faded as his rhetoric became less politically incorrect.

The rapper has been married since 1997 to Shanté Broadus, with whom he has three children, musician Corde Broadus, 29, businessman Cordell, 27, and singer Cori, 25.

The rapper is also the father of technology engineer Julian, 26, from a side relationship. Snoop and Shanté are grandparents to five grandchildren: Zion, Leo, Elleven, Cordoba and Chateau, and the grandpa’s social media is full of photos of him with his grandchildren.