It is not often that a gangster rapper lives to become the darling of millions of people. Most times, the circle of violence and vices that they surround themselves with usually ends up cutting their life short or they come to be resented by many for the damage they have caused to listeners of their music or the violent repercussions of their message. Things are a little different when you are Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. popularly and affectionately known as Snoop Dogg. The rap legend who is also a producer, entrepreneur, and actor has 16 solo albums to his name with 7 collaborative albums since the beginning of a music career that started in 1992. His transition from gangster rap to being the darling of both the African American community and White community is worthy of study.
Biography
Snoop Dogg, was born on October 20, 1971, to Beverly Broadus. His father, Vernell Varnado was not a stable figure in his life while he was growing up and may have contributed to his early life of crime. He grew up going by many names, which simply exemplifies the colorful career that the man from Long Beach, California has had. The names include Snoopzilla, Niggarachi, Snoop Lion, and DJ Snoopadelic. Before becoming known for many other things, he was a musician, specifically a rapper that was discovered by another rap legend – Dr. Dre. The superstar producer featured Snoop Dogg on his solo debut album, ‘Deep Cover’.
Snoop Dogg was subsequently signed onto Death Row Records and had his first album, Doggystyle released in 1993. 15 albums later, he has sold over 35 million albums worldwide with 23 of them sold in the United States alone.
A career that has spanned over 25 years has seen Snoop transition from doing hardcore gangster rap to more chilled music, although he is certainly still considered a weed icon. His colorful history in the industry is littered with court cases including a particularly prominent murder trial, a gospel album, a brief stint as a reggae artist, a pornographic movie, and a stint with Bollywood music. He was also a pimp for a year between 2003 and 2004
As Snoop’s music career established him as a music star, he diversified into other ventures. Other than acting where he has a filmography of over 35 movies and 31 Television shows with an episode count of over 50 appearances, he has also ventured into the restaurant business after he bought Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles. Snoop Dogg is a famed marijuana supporter, and naturally, the entrepreneur has three marijuana-related businesses including a stake in weed delivery startup, Eaze. He also has a digital media business called Merry Jane, which is targeted at marijuana-related news and content, and while other artists have clothing lines Snoop has a line of marijuana products called Leafs by Snoop.
Wife and Kids
For someone with Snoop Dogg’s history, it might be difficult to see him being in a long-term relationship but the Drop it like it’s hot star married his high school sweetheart Shante Taylor on June 12, 1997. Despite a temporary divorce in 2004, the couple is still together and they share three children. Two boys, Cordell born on February 21, 1997, and Cordé born on August 11, 1994. Their daughter and last child, Cori was born on June 22, 1999.
Although Snoop Dogg and Shante Taylor share only 3 children, Snoop Dogg has a 4th child from a brief relationship with a woman known as Laurie Holmond. The boy, Julian Corrie Broadus was born in 1998.
Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart’s Relationship
We have established that Snoop Dogg has had a colorful career. One rather colorful part of that career is his relationship with Martha Stewart. The pair has found an unlikely relationship and they currently host a TV Show, Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party, together. It is a relationship that started in 2008 back when Snoop Dogg guest-starred on Martha’s show. Ever since the two have been connected professionally until 2016 when they started a show together on VH1.
Relationship with Donald Trump
Another important television personality Snoop’s career has featured is the current US President, Donald Trump. Many might think Snoop’s attack on the President is the beginning of any interaction between them but the two have had an amicable relationship since 2007. Before 2016 when the political landscape of the United States shifted due to Trump’s election as President, the two maintained an amicable relationship. Ever since Trump became president, however, Snoop has been a vocal critic of his administration.
