Major Controversies Surrounding Snoop Dogg: A Detailed Timeline
Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Snoop Dogg.
Snoop Dogg, born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., is a highly influential American rapper, record producer, and actor. Emerging from West Coast hip-hop in the early 1990s through collaborations with Dr. Dre, he quickly gained fame for his distinctive drawled delivery and lyrical style, characterized by melodic rhyming, word play, and alliteration. His music often reflects West Coast culture and tackles social issues. With over 23 million albums sold in the U.S. and 35 million worldwide, Snoop Dogg has garnered numerous accolades, including an American Music Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and multiple Grammy nominations.
1989: Snoop Dogg Arrested for Cocaine Possession
Shortly after graduating from high school in 1989, Snoop Dogg was arrested for possession of cocaine and spent the following three years frequently in and out of prison.
1990: Snoop Dogg Convicted of Felony Drug Possession
In 1990, Snoop Dogg was convicted of felony possession of drugs and possession for sale.
July 1993: Snoop Dogg Stopped with Firearm
In July 1993, Snoop Dogg was stopped for a traffic violation, and a firearm was found during a search of his car.
August 1993: Snoop Dogg Arrested in Connection with Shooting Death
In August 1993, while recording Doggystyle, Snoop Dogg was arrested and charged with first-degree murder related to the shooting death of Philip Woldermariam, who was actually killed by Snoop Dogg's bodyguard. Snoop Dogg was purportedly driving the vehicle from which the gun was fired.
1993: Charged with First-Degree Murder
In 1993, Snoop Dogg was charged with first-degree murder for the shooting of a member of a rival gang, though the actual killing was done by his bodyguard.
February 1997: Snoop Dogg Pleads Guilty to Handgun Possession
In February 1997, Snoop Dogg pled guilty to possession of a handgun, resulting in a sentence of public service announcements, community service, a fine, and probation.
1998: Contract Disputes and Royalty Issues
In 1998, Snoop Dogg spoke about contract disputes and withheld royalty payments from his former label, Death Row Records.
1998: Snoop Dogg Arrested for Marijuana Possession in Los Angeles
In 1998, Snoop Dogg was arrested and fined for misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Los Angeles.
2003: Alleged drugging and rape
In 2003, Snoop Dogg allegedly drugged and raped a makeup artist backstage at a Jimmy Kimmel Live taping, leading to a lawsuit filed in January 2005.
2003: Pimping Career Start
In 2003, according to Snoop Dogg, he started his career as a professional pimp.
2004: Pimping Career End
In 2004, according to Snoop Dogg, was the last year he worked as a professional pimp.
January 2005: Sued for drugging and rape
In January 2005, Snoop Dogg faced a lawsuit from a makeup artist alleging drugging and rape at a Jimmy Kimmel Live taping in 2003. Snoop Dogg had filed an extortion suit against the woman a month prior.
May 2005: Sued for assault at concert
In May 2005, Snoop Dogg, along with other artists, was sued for allegedly assaulting a fan on stage at a concert in Auburn, Washington. The accuser claimed he was beaten by the artists' entourage and sought $22 million in damages.
August 2005: Settlement of rape lawsuit
In August 2005, Snoop Dogg settled the January 2005 lawsuit with the accuser stating that "the matter has been resolved amicably," and Snoop Dogg’s representative stating no money was exchanged.
April 26, 2006: Snoop Dogg Arrested at Heathrow Airport
On April 26, 2006, Snoop Dogg and his entourage were arrested at Heathrow Airport in London after being denied access to the British Airways' first class lounge, resulting in a fight with police and damage to a duty-free shop.
May 15, 2006: Denied entry to the United Kingdom
On May 15, 2006, after being arrested on vandalism charges in London, Snoop Dogg was denied entry to the United Kingdom for the foreseeable future.
September 2006: Snoop Dogg Detained at John Wayne Airport
In September 2006, Snoop Dogg was detained at John Wayne Airport for carrying a collapsible police baton, later claimed as a prop. He was sentenced to probation and community service in September 2007.
October 2006: Snoop Dogg Arrested at Bob Hope Airport
In October 2006, Snoop Dogg was arrested at Bob Hope Airport for firearm possession and suspicion of transporting marijuana.
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," dedicated to Stanley "Tookie" Williams and a diss to Arnold Schwarzenegger, was leaked online.
2006: Pimping Admission
In a 2006 interview, Snoop Dogg claimed he was an actual professional pimp in 2003 and 2004.
April 2007: Snoop Dogg Receives Suspended Sentence
In April 2007, Snoop Dogg received a suspended sentence, probation, and community service after pleading no contest to felony drug and gun possession charges. He was also restricted from hiring individuals with criminal records or gang affiliations for certain roles.
April 2007: Banned from entering Australia
In April 2007, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship banned Snoop Dogg from entering the country on character grounds due to prior criminal convictions.
April 29, 2007: Scheduled appearance at MTV Australia Video Music Awards
On April 29, 2007, Snoop Dogg was scheduled to appear at the MTV Australia Video Music Awards, however he was banned from entering the country earlier that month.
September 2007: Snoop Dogg Begins Probation and Community Service
In September 2007, Snoop Dogg began his sentence of three years' probation and 160 hours of community service, stemming from his detention at John Wayne Airport in 2006 for carrying a collapsible police baton.
April 2009: Court appearance for assault lawsuit
In April 2009, Snoop Dogg appeared in court regarding the May 2005 assault lawsuit. He was later cleared of the charges in May.
2010: Snoop Dogg Arrested for Marijuana Possession in Sierra Blanca, Texas
In 2010, Snoop Dogg was arrested and fined for misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Sierra Blanca, Texas.
July 2012: Banned from entering Norway
In July 2012, Snoop Dogg was banned from entering Norway for two years after being found in possession of marijuana and undeclared cash the month before.
2012: Snoop Dogg's Fur Coat Controversy
In 2012, Snoop Dogg, known for wearing real fur garments, questioned why PETA doesn't throw paint on a pimp's fur coat in a video podcast, attracting criticism from animal welfare charities.
January 2013: Criticism from Rastafari Community
In January 2013, Snoop Dogg, then known as Snoop Lion, faced criticism from members of the Rastafari community in Jamaica, including Bunny Wailer, who accused him of "fraudulent" cultural appropriation. Snoop Dogg dismissed these claims, asserting his beliefs were personal and not subject to external judgment.
May 2013: Alleged sexual assault
In May 2013, Snoop Dogg allegedly sexually assaulted a woman following a concert in Anaheim, California, leading to a lawsuit filed in February 2022.
July 25, 2015: Snoop Dogg Detained in Sweden for Alleged Drug Use
On July 25, 2015, after performing in Uppsala, Sweden, Snoop Dogg was detained by Swedish police for suspected illegal drug use, but the charges were ultimately dropped due to lack of proof he consumed the substances in Sweden. Snoop Dogg criticized the police for alleged racial profiling.
2015: Snoop Dogg Blames Reagan's Policies for Gang Violence
During his keynote address at the 2015 South by Southwest music festival, Snoop Dogg attributed the surge in Los Angeles' gang violence in the 1980s to the economic policies implemented by Ronald Reagan, suggesting his administration facilitated the influx of guns and drugs into the area.
2017: Snoop Dogg's Mock Execution of Trump
In 2017, Snoop Dogg released a video showing a mock execution of Donald Trump in a clown costume.
September 21, 2021: Cozomo De' Medici Claim
On September 21, 2021, Snoop Dogg claimed on Twitter to be the NFT collector Cozomo De' Medici.
February 2022: Sued for sexual assault
In February 2022, Snoop Dogg was sued for $10 million for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in May 2013 after a concert in Anaheim, California. The suit was later withdrawn and then reintroduced in July.
2022: Undeclared cash value updated
In July 2012, Snoop Dogg entered Norway in possession of an undeclared 227,000 kr in cash, or about US$29,400 in 2022 terms, resulting in a ban from the country.
February 2023: Medici Describes Identity Reveal as "Trolling"
In a February 2023 interview with Christie's, Cozomo De' Medici described the 2021 identity reveal by Snoop Dogg as "trolling" and a "stunt".
May 2023: Sexual assault case dismissed
In May 2023, court documents revealed that the sexual assault case against Snoop Dogg, initially filed in February 2022, had been dismissed.
