Snoop Dogg
Born 1971 · Age 54
American rapper, record producer, actor and entrepreneur; major figure in West Coast hip-hop whose career began in the early 1990s after being discovered by Dr. Dre.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Long Beach, California
Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. born to Beverly Tate and Vernell Varnado in Long Beach, CA.
Began rapping (approx.)
Started rapping around sixth grade and performed frequently in school hallways, discovering his talent and crowd appeal.
Graduated Long Beach Polytechnic High School
Finished high school; shortly thereafter arrested for possession of cocaine and experienced frequent incarcerations in subsequent years.
Auditioned for Dr. Dre / Began recording career
A mixtape/freestyle reached Dr. Dre leading to Snoop auditioning and beginning work with Dre (Death Row/Future Shock association).
Guest on Dr. Dre's 'Deep Cover' single
Early high-profile guest appearance that introduced Snoop to a national audience and preceded his appearances on The Chronic.
Featured on Dr. Dre's The Chronic
Appeared on Dre's debut solo album The Chronic, including prominent vocals on 'Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang', accelerating his rise.
Sales milestone: Long-term sales totals (reported)
Over his career Snoop Dogg has sold more than 23 million albums in the United States and 35 million worldwide (cumulative estimate reported).
Charged with first-degree murder (later acquitted)
Arrested/charged in connection with a shooting; case lasted years though Snoop maintained he was not the shooter.
Released debut album 'Doggystyle'
Debut studio album produced entirely by Dr. Dre and released by Death Row; debuted atop the Billboard 200.
Released 'Murder Was the Case' soundtrack; film acting debut
Lead performer on Death Row's soundtrack for the short film Murder Was the Case; marked his acting debut.
Doggystyle certified quadruple platinum (RIAA)
Following year after release, Doggystyle received quadruple platinum certification in the U.S.
Registered Doggy Style Records, Inc.
Doggy Style Records, Inc. was registered with the California Secretary of State (entity C1923139).
Acquitted of murder charges
Snoop Dogg was acquitted on February 20, 1996 after a multi-year legal case.
Signed Charlie Wilson to Doggy Style Records (subsidiary of Death Row)
By August 1996 Doggy Style Records (a Death Row subsidiary) signed Charlie Wilson as one of its initial artists.
Released second studio album 'Tha Doggfather'
Second album debuted atop the chart and later received double-platinum certification; co-produced post-Dre departure.
Performed at Lollapalooza tour
Participated in the 1997 Lollapalooza concert tour, expanding his audience beyond rap/hip-hop into alternative crowds.
Canceled 'Doggumentary' EP release (was scheduled)
An EP titled Doggumentary scheduled for July 8, 1997 was canceled though a video for projected single 'Midnight Love' surfaced.
Released 'Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told' (No Limit)
First album on No Limit Records, marking a new label era for Snoop.
Signed with No Limit Records (Master P)
Left Death Row and signed with Master P's No Limit Records (distributed by Priority/EMI), changing career direction.
Published autobiography 'Tha Doggfather'
Released an autobiography titled Tha Doggfather.
Released 'No Limit Top Dogg' (sold ~1.51M)
No Limit era album No Limit Top Dogg sold over 1,510,000 copies.
Directed adult film 'Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle'
Directed a pornographic film (as 'Michael J. Corleone') produced by Hustler; it later won 'Top Selling Release of the Year' at the AVN Awards (2002).
Released 'Tha Last Meal' (sold ~2.1M)
Final major release on No Limit at that time; sold over 2,100,000 copies.
Directed 'Snoop Dogg's Hustlaz: Diary of a Pimp'
Directed a second adult film (credited as 'Snoop Scorsese'); continued cross-media ventures.
Received AVN Award recognition for adult film
'Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle' won 'Top Selling Release of the Year' at the 2002 AVN Awards.
Released 'Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$' (Priority/Capitol/EMI)
Sixth studio album released on Priority/Capitol/EMI; sold over 1,310,000 copies and included hits like 'Beautiful'.
Released 'R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece' and 'Drop It Like It's Hot' #1 single
Album (2004) spawned single 'Drop It Like It's Hot' (featuring Pharrell) — Snoop's first Billboard Hot 100 #1.
Formed/reunited 213 and released 'The Hard Way'
Reunited with Warren G and Nate Dogg as 213 to release The Hard Way; debuted at No.4 on Billboard 200.
Signed to Geffen / Star Trak (Neptunes) / Interscope
Signed with Geffen Records and Star Trak (Neptunes) in a move that produced major collaborations and hits.
Founded Snoopadelic Films
Launched his production company Snoopadelic Films; debut film was Boss'n Up (inspired by R&G).
Released 'Tha Blue Carpet Treatment' (debuted No.5)
Album debuted at No.5 on Billboard 200 and sold over 850,000 copies in the U.S.
First ringtone-first release ('It's the D.O.G.')
Became first artist to release a track as a ringtone before its single release, an industry-first move.
Performed at Live Earth concert (Hamburg)
Performed at the global Live Earth event on July 7, 2007.
Released 'Ego Trippin'' (9th studio album)
Ego Trippin' sold about 400,000 copies in the U.S.; included single 'Sexual Eruption' which peaked at No.7.
Appointed chairman / executive role at Priority Records
Returned to Priority (hired as chairman/executive) and released Malice n Wonderland via Priority/Capitol.
Released 'Malice n Wonderland'
Tenth studio album; debuted at No.23 on Billboard 200 with 61,000 copies sold in its first week.
Released 'Doggumentary' (11th studio album)
Eleventh studio album went through several tentative titles before final release as Doggumentary.
Announced 'Reincarnated' documentary and reggae album
Announced the Reincarnated documentary and upcoming reggae album under new persona Snoop Lion.
Adopted the stage name 'Snoop Lion'
Announced he had been rechristened Snoop Lion by a Rastafari priest after a trip to Jamaica; shifted to reggae music.
Performed at Kennedy Center Honors (honoring Herbie Hancock)
Performed at the Kennedy Center Honors concert in December 2013 and publicly praised Hancock's influence on hip-hop.
Released 'Reincarnated' documentary (film)
Documentary about his Jamaican experience released March 21, 2013; reggae album Reincarnated followed in April.
Released 'Snoopify' app (with Nick Adler)
Mobile sticker/photo app Snoopify launched; by 2015 generating ~$30,000 weekly sales.
Released G-Pen vaporizer (with Grenco Science)
Released an electrical weed vaporizer product in collaboration with Grenco Science.
Released '7 Days of Funk' debut (with Dâm-Funk)
Formed funk duo 7 Days of Funk and released their self-titled debut album.
Invested in Eaze (minority investor)
Became a minority investor in Eaze, a California cannabis delivery start-up.
Released album 'Bush' (produced by Pharrell)
Thirteenth studio album, entirely produced by Pharrell Williams; included the single 'Peaches N Cream'.
Launched Merry Jane digital media brand
Launched Merry Jane, a digital media business focused on cannabis news and culture.
Launched Leafs By Snoop cannabis brand
Introduced a branded line of cannabis products including flowers, concentrates and edibles.
Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame (Celebrity Wing)
Recognized by WWE and inducted into the celebrity wing of the Hall of Fame.
Host/co-star of 'Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party' premiered
Co-starred with Martha Stewart on VH1 cooking/variety show; the pair later received a Primetime Emmy nomination.
Primetime Emmy nomination for 'Martha & Snoop' (with Martha Stewart)
Snoop and Martha Stewart were nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for their co-hosting work (2017 nomination for 2016 show).
Appeared at WrestleMania XXIV as Master of Ceremonies
Appeared at WrestleMania XXIV in Orlando as MC for a tag team match.
Released gospel album 'Bible of Love'
Released his first gospel album, reflecting a born-again Christian phase.
Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his entertainment career.
Released album 'I Wanna Thank Me'
Seventeenth studio album released independently; title track released July 3, 2019.
Launched 'Snoop Cali Red' wine with 19 Crimes
Debut wine release in partnership with Australian wine brand 19 Crimes; Snoop's face featured on the label.
Released 'From tha Streets 2 tha Suites' (18th studio album)
Eighteenth studio album released April 20, 2021 to generally positive reviews.
Joined Def Jam as executive creative & strategic consultant
Officially joined Def Jam Recordings to work across A&R and creative development, reporting to Lucian Grainge and Def Jam leadership.
Claimed to be NFT collector 'Cozomo De' Medici' (Sept 21, 2021 tweet)
Publicly claimed to be prolific NFT collector under the pseudonym; later described the reveal as trolling/stunt.
Announced acquisition of Death Row Records
Announced that he had acquired Death Row Records from MNRK Music Group and intended to revive the label.
Released 'BODR' (Bacc on Death Row) — 19th studio album
Released BODR on Feb 11, 2022 (moved up two days from planned release); first Death Row release under his ownership.
Performed at Super Bowl LVI halftime show
Performed alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show.
Joined FaZe Clan board of directors
Announced as a member of FaZe Clan's board of directors (resigned March 2023).
Added as operator in Call of Duty games
Added to Call of Duty: Vanguard and Warzone as an operator (Tracer Pack: Snoop Dogg Operator Bundle).
Collaborated with Eminem on 'From the D 2 the LBC'
Released a collaborative track and live-action/animated video with Eminem.
Hosted both nights of WrestleMania 39 and improvised match
Co-hosted WrestleMania 39 nights with The Miz; famously improvised and finished a match on Night 2 after Shane McMahon injury.
Released luxury gin 'Still G.I.N.' (designed bottle) with Ini Archibong
Launched a premium gin brand referencing 'Still D.R.E.' with Venetian glass bottle design by Ini Archibong.
Launched pre-mixed 'Gin and Juice' cocktails with Dr. Dre
Released a range of pre-mixed cocktails named after 'Gin and Juice' in flavors (apricot, citrus, melon, passion fruit).
Performed at Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony; served as NBC/Peacock correspondent
Appeared and performed at the Olympics closing ceremony and worked as a correspondent; hosting earned two Sports Emmy Awards.
Released first single 'Gorgeous' from 'Missionary'
Released lead single 'Gorgeous' (Nov 1, 2024) from new album produced entirely by Dr. Dre.
Released 20th studio album 'Missionary'
Released Missionary (Dec 13, 2024), produced entirely by Dr. Dre; became his highest-charting album since 2015 (peaked in Billboard 200 top 20).
Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People
Listed as one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine (April 2025 mention).
Released surprise album 'Iz It a Crime?'
Surprise album Iz It a Crime? released May 15, 2025.
Announced co-ownership/investment in Swansea City AFC
Announced as a co-owner/investor in Welsh football club Swansea City (EFL Championship).
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