Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. (born October 20, 1971) is an American rapper and actor best known as Snoop Dogg (formerly Snoop Doggy Dogg and briefly Snoop Lion). His career began in 1992, when he appeared on Dr. Dre’s debut solo single, “Deep Cover,” and then on Dre’s debut solo album, The Chronic. Broadus has sold over 23 million albums in the United States and 35 million albums globally since his debut. His awards include an American Music Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and 17 Grammy nominations.
Doggystyle, Broadus’ debut solo album, was released by Death Row Records in November 1993 and debuted at number one on the popular albums chart, the Billboard 200, as well as the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Doggystyle, which sold 800,000 copies in its first week and contained the hits “What’s My Name?” and “Gin & Juice,” was certified quadruple-platinum in 1994. Broadus’ music for the short film Murder Was the Case, starring Snoop Dogg, was released by Death Row Records in 1994. Tha Doggfather, his second album, debuted at number one on both charts in 1996, with “Snoop’s Upside Ya Head” as the lead single. The album was certified double-platinum the following year.
Broadus signed with No Limit Records after leaving Death Row Records in January 1998, producing three Snoop albums: Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told (1998), No Limit Top Dogg (1999), and Tha Last Meal (2000). (2000). He signed with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records in 2002 and released Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss. He signed with Geffen Records in 2004, where he released his next three albums: R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, and Ego Trippin’. Malice ‘n Wonderland was released by Priority Records in 2009, followed by Doggumentary in 2011. Snoop Dogg has appeared in films and hosted television shows such as Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood, and Dogg After Dark.