Snoop Dogg

Background

Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. was born on October 20, 1971, in Long Beach, California to Vernell Varnado and Beverly Tate. Broadus began singing and playing the piano in the Golgotha Trinity Baptist Church when he was very young, and by sixth grade, he had progressed to rapping.

Death Row Records released his debut album, “Doggystyle,” in 1993, which was produced by Dr. Dre. On both the Billboard 200 and the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, the album debuted at number one. He released a soundtrack for the short film “Murder Was the Case” starring himself in 1994 on Death Row Records. His second album, “Tha Doggfather” (1996), debuted at number one on both charts, with the lead single ‘Snoop’s Upside Ya Head.’ In 1997, the album was certified double platinum. Snoop’s next three albums, “Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told” (1998), “No Limit Top Dogg” (1999), and “Tha Last Meal,” were recorded at No Limit Records after he left Death Row Records (2000). In 2002, Broadus signed with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records, releasing “Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss.” He left in 2004 and signed with Geffen Records. Broadus has also appeared in films and hosted television shows. Broadus has had 17 Grammy nominations but has yet to win. On November 19, 2018, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2019, he released “I Wanna Thank Me,” his seventeenth solo album.

On June 12, 1997, Broadus married Shante Taylor, his high school sweetheart. He called it quits on May 21, 2004, claiming unresolved issues. On January 12, 2008, the pair remarried. The couple has three children — Cordé, Cordell, and Cori. Broadus has a son (Julian) from a previous relationship and he is also a grandfather.