“I (as a rapper) wouldn’t be able to exist if you didn’t show up. You are a legend and truly a pillar in the rapper community,” Chika – a 23-year-old female rapper – gave those words of praise to Snoop Dogg, in a conversation with him on Twitter on August 8, 2020. .
As Chika said, Snoop Dogg is truly a legend. But before being praised with such beautiful words, the 49-year-old star went through a dark, rebellious and depraved youth.
Dark youth
Snoop and his cigarettes are a familiar image that has stuck with the 49-year-old rapper for decades. Before he was famous, he tasted cigarette smoke.
Snoop Dogg’s past isn’t all about early smoking. It was a crime-filled youth, where guns, drugs and prostitution covered his life in a dark, deadlocked darkness.
Snoop Dogg’s real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, born and raised in Long Beach, California (USA). In the neighborhood where Snoop and his family reside, drugs, guns and fights are part of daily life. People can fall at any time, from bullets or bloody disputes.
“Every day, I think it’s my last day on the street” – Snoop Dogg once said that when referring to childhood and youth. Perhaps, it was that volatile and unstable living environment that contributed to sinking the male rapper into a series of pitfalls and mistakes.
In his youth, Snoop Dogg was a member of the notorious Crips gang in Long Beach. During nearly 20 years from 1990 to 2006, he was in and out of prison many times.
Just graduating from high school, Snoop Dogg was arrested for possession of narcotics. In the following years, prison was a frequent place for the young man in his early twenties for crimes such as drug possession and trafficking.
In 1993, the veteran rapper fell deeply into a legal battle, even going to jail on suspicion of being involved in the death of Phillip Woldermariam – a member of a rival gang. After that, Snoop Dogg escaped guilt because the court concluded that he did not kill the victim.
Talking about his youth with Rolling Stone, Snoop Dogg called himself a “pimp”. From a dark youth, seemingly deadlocked, Snoop Dogg found a way out of his life, and that savior was music.
From the bottom of the black mud, Snoop Dogg got serious about another dream, which is to become a rapper.
The salvation of music
Snoop Dogg started rapping in middle school. “When I rapped in the school hallway, there was always a crowd attracted and surrounding me to the point where the principal thought there was going to be a fight
That made me realize that I also have some talent. My raps make people excited and also make me care about myself,” the Los Angeles Times quoted the male artist as saying.
The nickname Snoopy has also followed him since he was a child. Before the 49-year-old rapper’s biological father gradually distanced himself and was absent from his son’s life, he gave him that nickname. Snoop Dogg loves the character Snoopy in the cartoon Peanuts
Later, the nickname derived from his childhood love became part of his stage name.
Rap followed Snoop Dogg throughout his youth. In 1992, an impromptu recording with his participation suddenly reached the ears of legendary rap artist, music producer Dr.Dre.
So impressed with this recording, Dr.Dre called Snoop Dogg to audition, then gradually guided the “rough gem” to become one of the greatest rappers in European and American music.
The singer from Long Beach was first introduced in the single Deep Cover and the album The Chronic – Dr.Dre’s debut products.
As a senior, and also the person who discovered a talent like Snoop Dogg, Dr.Dre said that the young man with a rebellious past was born to become a superstar.
“Snoop is a pure raw gem. No one has a voice like him. Snoop’s style and charisma make me feel like he was destined to become a superstar,” Reuters quoted Dr.Dre as saying at an event.
Under the support of Dr.Dre, Snoop Dogg’s career flourished right from his debut album Doggystyle (1993). In the first week of release, the album sold more than 800,000 copies.
That is a record number for an artist who has just released his first album. In addition, Doggystyle is also certified platinum 4 times, won No.1 Billboard 200 and is in the top of the greatest rap/hiphop albums of all time.
Snoop Dogg has a thick voice and gentle rap style.
Through hits like Who Am I, Murder was the Case, Doggy Dogg World… the male rapper shows off his thick voice and also has a sexy look. The lyrics in his songs always contain 18+ content, are bold and provocative, but attract many young fans.
After his debut product, Snoop Dogg continued to compose, record and release famous albums around the world such as Tha Doggfather, No Limit Top Dogg, Rhythm & Gangsta…
Commenting on Snoop Dogg’s rap voice, music critic Touré of Rolling Stone commented: “Snoopy’s vocal style is one of the factors that helps him not mix with anyone. If many rappers often scream, both literally and figuratively, Snoop seems to only speak softly.
For the past 27 years, Snoop Dogg has rapped about the rough, tumultuous lives on the streets of black people at the bottom of American society. The male rapper’s harsh view of the weaker sex later improved and became more positive.
“Gangsta rap” has been at the center of controversy over censorship and labeling. Snoop Dogg is often considered a typical musical artist with violent and distorted thinking.
Amid endless controversies, Snoop Dogg still rose to become one of the most successful rappers. Kendrick Lamar – one of the 10 greatest rappers of all time (voted by Billboard in 2015) – also affirmed that there would be no Kendrick if Snoop Dogg’s album Doggystyle was not born.
For nearly 30 years, Snoop Dogg devoted himself to music. His track record is a long series of 17 studio albums and 7 collaborative albums. The veteran rapper sold a total of 23 million albums in the US market and 35 million copies worldwide, according to Forbes statistics in 2019.
A successful music career has brought Snoop Dogg 14 Grammy nominations and a series of other prestigious awards. He wrote his name on the Walk of Fame in 2018.
“My family changed me”
As a rapper, the name Snoop Dogg has become the center of countless controversies. His bad past, carefree lifestyle, complicated personal life, and music products containing sensitive lyrics are enough to make him receive an unsympathetic look from a part of the audience.
The singer born in 1971 told Sky News that his attitude towards women has changed, thanks to his family. It is the result of a process where the 49-year-old rapper acknowledged the importance and influence of the women in his life.
Love for his wife has helped Snoop Dogg change his view of women.
“Over time, I fell in love with my wife, then began to love my mother, grandmother and daughter more. I realized the true concept of women and started writing, expressing what I had understood,” he confided.
Snoop Dogg said that once he sees an opportunity to grow more, learn more and become a better person, he always incorporates that into his artistic output.
The 49-year-old rapper cannot deny his scarred past and can only restrain himself to avoid falling in the present and future. “Twenty years ago, I didn’t have to shoulder any responsibilities. I am a former member of a notorious gang and involved in gangsterism. I’m stubborn and stubborn. I don’t live for anything but myself,” Snoop confided to Sky News.
But now, he has more concerns. Snoop Dogg still has a family, and they, with their love, have changed people, work, perspectives and the way Dogg sees life.
At the age of 50, Snoop Dogg is still devoted to art: Writing music, releasing new albums, burning his heart out on stage… In addition, he is also busy with business.
Having a successful career and huge wealth, in the end, Snoop Dogg still has a simple, simple dream after retirement. When he is no longer a rapper, he wants to open an ice cream shop and change the name to Scoop Dogg.
