Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Snoop Dogg

Discover the career path of Snoop Dogg, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr., known as Snoop Dogg, is a highly influential American rapper, record producer, and actor from the West Coast hip-hop scene. He gained prominence in 1992 through collaborations with Dr. Dre on "Deep Cover" and Dre's album, The Chronic. Recognized for his distinctive drawled lyrics and themes related to West Coast culture and social issues, he has sold over 23 million albums in the U.S. and 35 million globally. His achievements include an American Music Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and 17 Grammy nominations.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1981: Popularization of Izzle Speak

In 1981, Frankie Smith's hit song "Double Dutch Bus" popularized the use of -izzle speak, which Snoop Dogg further popularized in the pop and hip-hop music industry.

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1991: Audition for Death Row Records

In 1991, Dr. Dre was impressed by Snoop Dogg's freestyle and called him to audition for Death Row Records.

1992: Early Fame

In 1992, Snoop Dogg gained initial fame through his guest appearance on Dr. Dre's debut solo single, "Deep Cover," and later on Dre's debut album, The Chronic that same year.

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1992: Signing with Death Row Records

In 1992, Snoop Dogg signed with Dr. Dre's label, Future Shock Records (later known as Death Row Records), and began working with Dr. Dre on various projects.

1993: Release of Doggystyle

In 1993, Snoop Dogg's debut studio album, Doggystyle, produced by Dr. Dre, was released by Death Row Records and debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart.

1994: Release of Murder Was the Case

In 1994, A short film about Snoop Dogg's murder trial, Murder Was the Case, was released, along with an accompanying soundtrack.

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1994: Quadruple Platinum Certification and Acting Debut

In 1994, Snoop Dogg's album Doggystyle received quadruple platinum certification by the RIAA. In the same year, Snoop Dogg made his acting debut as the lead performer in Death Row's soundtrack album for the short film, Murder Was the Case.

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July 6, 1995: Registration of Doggy Style Records, Inc.

On July 6, 1995, Doggy Style Records, Inc., a record label founded by Snoop Dogg, was registered as a business entity in California.

August 1996: Doggy Style Records Signs Charlie Wilson

By August 1996 Doggy Style Records, a subsidiary of Death Row Records, signed Charlie Wilson as one of its first artists.

November 1996: Release of Tha Doggfather and Changes at Death Row

In November 1996, Snoop Dogg's second album, Tha Doggfather, was released amidst notable hip hop industry deaths and convictions, including Tupac Shakur and Suge Knight. Dr. Dre had left Death Row earlier in 1996.

1996: Release and Certification of Tha Doggfather

In 1996, Snoop Dogg's second album, Tha Doggfather, debuted atop the charts and received double platinum certification.

July 8, 1997: Cancellation of Doggumentary EP

Snoop Dogg's EP titled Doggumentary was scheduled to release on July 8, 1997, but the album was cancelled.

1997: Participation in Lollapalooza Concert Tour

In 1997, Snoop Dogg participated in the Lollapalooza concert tour, which featured mainly alternative rock music, signaling a move away from his gangsta roots.

March 1998: Signing with No Limit Records

In March 1998, Snoop Dogg signed with Master P's No Limit Records.

1998: Departure from Death Row Records

In 1998, Snoop Dogg left Death Row Records and signed with Master P's No Limit Records.

1998: Contract Disputes with Death Row Records

In 1998, Snoop Dogg stated that Death Row Records had withheld his royalty payments despite giving him lavish gifts.

1999: Continued Success with No Limit Records

In 1999, Snoop Dogg continued his success with No Limit Records, releasing the album 'No Limit Top Dogg'.

1999: Release of 'No Limit Top Dogg' and Autobiography

In 1999, Snoop Dogg released 'No Limit Top Dogg' and also published his autobiography, 'Tha Doggfather'.

2000: Release of Tha Last Meal

In 2000, Snoop Dogg released the album Tha Last Meal through No Limit Records.

2002: Release of Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss

In 2002, Snoop Dogg released the album Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss on Priority, Capitol, and EMI Records.

June 2004: Signing with Geffen Records and Star Trak Entertainment

In June 2004, Snoop Dogg signed with Geffen Records and Star Trak Entertainment, leading to the release of R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece later that year.

2004: Release of R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece

In 2004, Snoop Dogg released the album R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece through Geffen Records after signing with them.

2005: Founded Snoop Youth Football League

In 2005, Snoop Dogg founded the Snoop Youth Football League for at-risk youth in Southern California.

2006: Guest Appearances and "Real Talk" Release

In 2006, Snoop Dogg appeared on tracks from Ice Cube's album and Tha Dogg Pound's album. His song "Real Talk" was leaked, which was dedicated to Stanley "Tookie" Williams and a diss to Arnold Schwarzenegger.

2006: Release of Tha Blue Carpet Treatment

In 2006, Snoop Dogg released the album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment.

April 29, 2007: Scheduled Appearance at MTV Australia Video Music Awards

Snoop Dogg was scheduled to appear at the MTV Australia Video Music Awards on April 29, 2007, but was later banned from entering the country.

2008: Release of Ego Trippin'

In 2008, Snoop Dogg released the album Ego Trippin'.

2009: Release of Malice 'n Wonderland

In 2009, Snoop Dogg released the album Malice 'n Wonderland after returning to Priority and Capitol Records as chairman.

2011: Release of Doggumentary

In 2011, Snoop Dogg released the album Doggumentary, which saw mild critical and commercial response.

2012: Conversion to Rastafari and Alias Snoop Lion

In 2012, Snoop Dogg converted to Rastafari following a trip to Jamaica and adopted the alias Snoop Lion.

2012: Conversion to Rastafari Movement

In 2012, Snoop Dogg converted to the Rastafari movement after a trip to Jamaica, changed his name to Snoop Lion, and switched the focus of his music to reggae.

2013: Expressed Support for Tighter Gun Control

In 2013, Snoop Dogg, then known as Snoop Lion, expressed his support for stricter gun control measures and released the song "No Guns Allowed" feat. Drake and Cori B.

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2013: Release of Reincarnated

In 2013, Snoop Lion released his reggae album, Reincarnated, and a documentary film about his Jamaican experience.

2015: Release of Bush

In 2015, Snoop Dogg released his thirteenth studio album, Bush, produced by Pharrell.

July 7, 2016: Led Peaceful March to LAPD Headquarters

Following the deadly shooting of five police officers in Dallas on July 7, 2016, Snoop Dogg and the Game organized a peaceful march to the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters to protest police brutality as part of the "Operation H.U.N.T." initiative.

2016: Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

In 2016, Snoop Dogg gave away 3000 turkeys to the less fortunate in Inglewood, California, at Thanksgiving. He partners with city officials for this annual event. Snoop Dogg was also a judge for the 7th annual Independent Music Awards.

2016: Release of Coolaid

In 2016, Snoop Dogg released his fourteenth studio album, Coolaid.

2017: Launched Snoop Special Stars

Since 2017, Snoop Dogg has also run a special-needs division called Snoop Special Stars for anyone 5 years or older with a physical, mental, or developmental disability.

June 2018: Performed at EMA Honors Gala

In June 2018, Snoop Dogg performed at the Environmental Media Association (EMA) Honors Gala, where the logo for vegan brand Beyond Meat was displayed.

2018: Referenced Jesus Christ

After releasing Bible of Love in early 2018 and performing in the 33rd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Snoop Dogg told a TV One interviewer while speaking of his Gospel influences that he "always referred to [his] savior Jesus Christ" on most of his records, and that he had become "a born-again Christian".

2018: "Born-again Christian" and Gospel Album Release

In 2018, Snoop Dogg became "a born-again Christian" and released his first gospel album, Bible of Love, in March. Also, Snoop Dogg was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2018: Snoop Youth Football League Size

In 2018, Snoop Dogg's Youth Football League was claimed to be the largest youth football organization in Southern California, with 50 teams and more than 1,500 players.

2019: Release of I Wanna Thank Me

In 2019, Snoop Dogg released the independently released album I Wanna Thank Me.

2020: Invested in Original Foods

In 2020, Snoop Dogg invested in vegan food company Original Foods, which makes Pigless Pork Rinds, and became an ambassador for Beyond Meat.

2021: Release of From tha Streets 2 tha Suites

In 2021, Snoop Dogg released the independently released album From tha Streets 2 tha Suites.

2022: Acquisition of Death Row Records and Release of BODR

In 2022, Snoop Dogg acquired Death Row Records from MNRK Music Group and released his nineteenth studio album, BODR.

2022: Snoop Dogg signed with FaZe Clan

In 2022, Snoop Dogg became a content creator and board member for the esports organization FaZe Clan.

2023: Giving Up Smoke Announcement and SoloStove Ad

In 2023, Snoop Dogg announced via social media that he was "giving up smoke" after much consideration, but later revealed that it was an ad to promote a smokeless fire pit called SoloStove.

2023: Resigned from FaZe Clan's Board of Directors

In 2023, Snoop Dogg resigned from his position on the board of directors at FaZe Clan.

2023: Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame

In 2023, Snoop Dogg was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to songwriting.

December 13, 2024: Release of Missionary

On December 13, 2024, Snoop Dogg released his twentieth studio album, Missionary, which became his highest-charting album since 2015.

January 2025: Performed at Trump-Sponsored Cryptocurrency Event

In January 2025, Snoop Dogg, along with Soulja Boy and Rick Ross, performed at a cryptocurrency event sponsored by Donald Trump preceding Trump's second inauguration.