SNOOP DOGG

Biography

Born Calvin Broadus on October 20, 1971, the soon-to-be-christened Snoop Doggy Dogg grew up in Long Beach, California. He received the nickname "Snoop" from his mother, who used to lovingly tease him about his likeness to Snoopy of the Peanuts comic strip.

snoop dogg on the streets

Living the life of a hoodlum in the ghettos of Long Beach, Snoop was no stranger to drugs and run-ins with the law. After graduating from high school, his life selling cocaine on the streets came to a halt when he was arrested for possession.

He spent three years in prison and, upon his release, tried to avoid getting sucked back into the ghetto life by concentrating on music.

snoop dogg meets dr. dre

Rap was invading the radios with increasing frequency at this time and, as it reflected the life he was currently going through, Snoop naturally gravitated toward the art form. He submitted a few of his demo tapes to friend and future star Warren G, who, in turn, sent them off to half-brother and Death Row Records co-founder, Dr. Dre.

Dre and Snoop became friends and, when the former released his debut album, called The Chronic, in 1993, Snoop figured prominently in what is now one of rap's all-time great albums. The track "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang" was a huge smash and, thanks to his writing and co-rapping credits, Snoop received a lot of praise.

snoop loves his gin and juice

Though just emerging on the rap scene, Snoop already had his fair share of controversy to deal with. Just before his debut Doggystyle was set for release, he was arrested in connection with a drive-by murder.

In between legal proceedings and at the height of a public outcry over this charge and the content of his lyrics, Doggystyle hit stores in November 1993. "Who Am I (What's My Name)?" and "Gin and Juice" made true rap heads forget all about Snoop's public troubles.

snoop becomes tha doggfather

It took three years for the case to be settled and, when all was said and done, Snoop was dismissed of all charges. Now free to concentrate on music, he satisfied his already plentiful legions of fans with Tha Doggfather, which sold two million copies. After leaving Death Row Records, Snoop took the time to tour and, contrary to his perceived "pimpin'" lifestyle, settled down and married Shante Taylor in 1997.

Signing with Master P's No Limit Records, Snoop released three albums in consecutive years, starting with Da Game Is to Be Sold Not to Be Told and following up with No Limit Top Dogg and Dead Man Walking.

Top Dogg went platinum and each album included a number of hits, including the club single "B Please."

snoop stars in training day

After publishing his autobiography and releasing Tha Last Meal -- the final album under his No Limit contract -- Snoop began to get into acting. He appeared in Baby Boy with Tyrese, Training Day with Denzel Washington, and the bomb Bones, all in 2001. He also established Doggystyle Records and signed various West Coast acts to his new label.

snoop does girls gone wild

Delving into the porno scene, Snoop directed Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (a top seller) and then appeared in Girls Gone Wild Doggy Style. Going back to the studio, he churned out more hits with Paid Tha Cost To Be Da Bo$$ and enjoyed time on the Top 10 charts with "Beautiful."

snoop dogg is huggy bear

Diverting back to film (again), Snoop landed a significant role in 2003's Starsky & Hutch as the pimp/street informer Huggy Bear, appropriately enough. He also played a pilot in the comedy Soul Plane in 2004. He also proved he could do TV, as the host of MTV's Doggy Fizzle Televizzle (2003) and an episode of SNL in 2004.

Following the release of a best-of album entitled Tha Dogg: Best of the Works, Snoop filed for divorce from his wife Shante. Amid reports he reneged on his apparent vow to stop smoking weed, Snoop is currently attempting to gain custody of his three children.

The future holds more rap albums for this legend, as well as increasingly more face time on the big screen.