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Snoop Dogg, also known as Snoop Doggy Dogg, was born and raised in Long Beach, California. Nicknamed Snoop by his mother, the young artist was frequently in trouble with drugs and the law. After his high school graduation, he was arrested for possession of cocaine and spent the next three years in and out of prison. Determined to escape from a life of crime through music, he began recording homemade tapes with his friend Warren G (stepbrother of Dr. Dre of N.W.A). Dr. Dre was so impressed with Snoop’s style of music that he began to collaborate with the rapper.

In 1992, Dr. Dre decided to pursue a solo career and released his debut album entitled, The Chronic. Snoop Dogg was recruited to rap on the songs, Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang and Dre Day. The two songs became smash hits on the radio and Snoop Dogg quickly made a name for himself in the music business. Not long after that, the young rapper signed a contract with Death Row Records.

Following the success of The Chronic, Snoop Dogg began to collaborate with Dr. Dre in 1993 for his much anticipated debut album, Doggystyle. While he was recording the album in August, Snoop was arrested as a murder accomplice in connection with a drive-by shooting. After many delays, the album was finally released and it became the first debut album to enter the Billboard 200 Chart at number one in the United States, further increasing the rapper’s popularity. The singles, What’s My Name? and Gin and Juice kept Doggystyle at the top of the charts, as did the controversy over Snoop’s arrest and his lyrics, which were perceived as too violent and sexist. During a tour in England, a Tory minister pleaded for the government to kick the rapper out of the country because of his arrest and pending murder trial.  
In 1995, Snoop exploited his impending murder trial by shooting a short film called, Murder Was the Case, along with an accompanying soundtrack. The following year, he was found innocent of all charges and began to focus again on his musical career.

After selling millions of copies of his first album, he released his second album, Tha Doggfather in 1996. This time, the album was not as successful as its predecessor and sold only 2 million copies (which was disappointing for an international star). One of the reasons for the moderate success of his album was both the furor and the popularity of Gangsta rap, which promoted violence and vulgarity, began to fade. Snoop Dogg then decided to revamp his image and release an album with lyrics that were less vulgar.

In 1998, the rapper came back to release his third album, Da Game Is to Be Sold Not to Be Told. The album debuted at number one in North America and the song Still a G Thang rose to the top of the charts. The same year, the rapper landed a cameo appearance in the film, Half Baked, and went on to appear in three other films.

The artist profited from his popularity and released several albums between 1999 and 2000, including the albums, No Limit Top Dogg, Dead Man Walkin’ and Tha Last Meal. The three albums sold more than a million copies and the songs, Bitch Please and Woof! became hit singles. During the same time, he starred in two feature films and began a career as an executive producer.

At the peak of his career in 2001, he decided to release his autobiography. He also appeared in the film, Training Day, alongside actor Denzel Washington. In the same year, he had a starring role in the horror film Bones and acted in four other films. In 2002, he signed with Capitol Records and released two albums entitled, Doggy Style Allstars: Welcome to tha House Vol.1 and Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$. Between 2003 and 2004, the artist starred in three other films, including a starring role alongside Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson in the comedy, Starsky & Hutch.

Snoop Dogg returned to music in 2004 with the release of the album, R & G (Rhythm & Gangsta: The Masterpiece). The fans and critics were impressed with the new album and it sold millions. The hit single, Drop It Like It’s Hot, stayed at the top of the charts for several weeks.

In 2005, Snoop Dogg came out with two other albums entitled, Welcome to tha Chuuch: Da Album and Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. The album, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, spawned the hit, That’s That and the rapper went on tour. The following year, he released the albums, Snoop Doggy Dogg & Friends, Vol. 1 and The Chronicalz, Vol.1: The Mixed Up Album. Around the same time, he played in the film, The Tenants and produced the feature films Boss’n Up and Hood of Horror.

In 2007, he continued to put on shows and decided to release his own reality television show called Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood on MTV.

In February 2008, the artist went on tour in the United States and released the album, Ego Trippin’ one month later. The rapper also collaborated on Dr. Dre’s album, Detox. Snoop Dogg then acted in and was executive producer on the films, Por Vida, The Golden Door and Coach Snoop.