Snoop Dogg

Having sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, Snoop Dogg also known as Snoop Lion has made himself a legend as a rapper, songwriter, and occasional actor. He was born Calvin Broadus, Jr., on October 20, 1971, in Long Beach, California. Snoop Dogg’s musical influence began when he was a young boy at church, where he sang and played piano. He later discovered his interest in rapping, and after spending some time in prison, he got together with his cousins to create the group 213. Dr. Dre heard their mixtape, and took Snoop under his wing; at that time, the artist was going by the name Snoop Doggy Dogg. With Dr. Dre’s help, he released his very successful first album Doggystyle in 1993, followed by the sophomore effort The Doggfather in 1996.

Snoop Dogg moved on to No Limit Records, releasing Da Game is to Be Sold, Not to be Told in 1998 and No Limit Top Dogg in 1999, which sold more than one million copies, followed by Tha Last Meal in 2000, also selling more than one million copies. Between 2002 and 2013, Snoop Dogg would release seven more albums in addition to many collaborations with other well known artists. Snoop was recognized at the BET Awards in 2003 and won an award for Best Collaboration with Pharrell and Charlie Wilson for the track “Beautiful”. His 2005 track “Drop It Like It’s Hot” also won the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Award for Hot Rap Track. In 2012, after converting to Rastafarianism upon returning from Jamaica, he changed his name to Snoop Lion.