Rapper and entrepreneur Snoop Dogg turns 54 today, so what better time to look at six times he’s caused a sensation over the years.
The man named Calvin Broadus Jr – better known the world over as Snoop Dogg – turns 54 today. Snoop first arrived in the national consciousness in the early 90s, when he found fame and chat success as a rapper, part of the gangsta rap genre that was in the ascendancy at the time.
But since then, Snoop has become almost as famous for his other exploits, all done with his trademark laid-back humour. Here are six times Snoop has made headlines for something other than his latest music release.
Giving up weed (sort of)
Snoop’s love of weed is legendary – he even employs someone to roll his joints – so when news came through that he was giving it smoking it caused shock around the world (as well as a lot of think pieces in the media about smoking). But all was not as it seemed – and soon after Snoop revealed that he was going smokeless – but only with his barbequing. Yes, he was helping to promote a range of smokeless fire pits.
However, his admission received a mixed reaction – from relief to those who thought he should be setting an example. It also didn’t help the company he was advertising – sales fell after the stunt.
Becoming an athletics commentator
The 2024 US Athletics Championships were crucial for track and field stars as they sought to secure their places at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. But the event will also live long in the memory for those who watched it as Snoop not only got onto the track – in an exhibition 200 metres race – he also appeared in the NBC commentary box, giving his unique insights into proceedings. Snooped popped up in the commentary box again – and seemingly everywhere else – at the Olympics later that summer.
Starring with Martha Stewart
In what is surely one of the odder double-header TV shows of all time, Snoop teamed up with legendary cookery and lifestyle show presenter Martha Stewart to front a cookery show. In fall of 2016, VH1 debuted Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party, which featured recipes, along with games and musical guests. Together they also created a fried chicken recipe.
Setting up his own shop
Snoop has long been an entrepreneur alongside his rap career, and he took this to the next level in July 2024 when he opened his own shop near Los Angeles Airport. Perhaps inevitably, it was a licenced cannabis dispensary, called S.W.E.D. – which stands for ‘smoke weed every day’. The shop also sells a range of cannabis paraphernalia, as well as items from Snoop’s career.
Buying his old record label
When Snoop started out in rap, he – like many others – was signed to Death Row Records, which released early albums such as Doggystyle and Tha Doggfather. However, Snoop left the label in 1998, in favour of No Limit Records.
Death Row Records had declined markedly since its 90s high – for various reasons too complicated to go into here – but when it was put up for sale by then-owners MNRK Music Group in 2021, Snoop swooped in and, in February 2022, it was announced he had fully acquired the label.
Becoming a football coach
We’ve already mentioned his athletic exploits – such as they were – but Snoop is also a qualified football coach too. Snoop was head coach of his son Cordell’s youth football teams. Cordell was a talented wide receiver and defensive back and was set to play for UCLA before deciding to pursue other pursuits.
