How Snoop Dogg Became One of America’s Most Beloved Celebrities

How Snoop Dogg Became One of America’s Most Beloved Celebrities

By Movieguide® Contributor

Thirty years after entering the rap game, Snoop Dogg is still at the top, but it’s more so because of his persona than because of his recent hits.

Though Dogg believes the love he has received from the nation comes from a change in societal values, in reality, it stems from a chance to see his desire to give back.

“You think about all the things that I went through and where I’m at,” Dogg told PEOPLE. “It’s a lesson: to let the world see growth, how somebody can go from being hated, banned from countries, thrown in jail [for] weed, to now America’s most lovable person. But it’s the same person.”

Dogg, however, is a far cry away from where he started. When he began rapping in the ’80s and ’90s, he was caught up in the height of gang and criminal activity. Because that life was what he knew, that’s what he rapped about.

“When I was young, we used to rap about living to see 21,” he said. “That was the goal. Then my homies passed away at 25. So the goal was to be 30.”

This mentality has not carried through to the modern day. Dogg is no longer worried about himself, instead, he is focused on giving back and lifting people above the circumstances they were born into.

For example, Dogg runs the Snoop Football League, which “provide[s] the opportunity for inner-city children to participate in youth football and cheer,” the organization’s website reads.

Dogg isn’t unattached from this league either. He actively coaches and pours into the lives of the kids he’s in charge of. Current NFL quarterback C.J. Stroud was one of those kids, and he is incredibly thankful for the leadership he found through Dogg.

“He used to invite us to his house and things like that,” Stroud told PEOPLE. “That goes a long way. It just seemed like it is more than where you come from. There’s a lot more to life, and he showed us that…So definitely really appreciative and grateful for Coach Snoop and everything that he’s done.”

It is through initiatives like this that Dogg has changed and become a person that the American people can root for. It has also provided the rapper with more opportunities, such as hosting the Olympics or joining THE VOICE.

Thus, it is not the American values that have changed to allow Dogg to become a national treasure; it is the rapper himself who has grown into a person people love.

Movieguide® previously reported:

THE VOICE is adding two new dynamic coaches for Season 26. Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé will be joining Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani in their search for a singing superstar.

Variety reported, “The announcement was made as part of the NBCUniversal upfront presentation to advertisers on Monday in New York. Snoop took the stage at Radio City Music Hall to announce he was joining the show before introducing Bublé. Bublé (briefly) tried his hand at rapping before launching into a performance of ‘You’re Nobody ’til Somebody Loves You.’” 

Leaving THE VOICE judge panel this season are John Legend, Chance the Rapper and Dan + Shay.  Legend spoke with ET about the upcoming transition.