Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. (born October 20, 1971), known professionally … Read Full Bio ↴Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. (born October 20, 1971), known professionally as Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, television personality and actor. His music career began in 1992 when he was discovered by Dr. Dre and featured on Dre's solo debut, "Deep Cover", and then on Dre's solo debut album, The Chronic. He has since sold over 23 million albums in the United States and 35 million albums worldwide.

Snoop's debut album, Doggystyle, produced by Dr. Dre and released in 1993 by Death Row Records, debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200 and Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Selling almost a million copies in the first week of its release, Doggystyle became certified 4× platinum in 1994 and spawned several hit singles, including "What's My Name?" and "Gin & Juice". In 1994 Snoop released a soundtrack on Death Row Records for the short film Murder Was the Case, starring himself. His second album, Tha Doggfather (1996), also debuted at number one on both charts, with "Snoop's Upside Ya Head" as the lead single. The album was certified double platinum in 1997.

After leaving Death Row Records, Snoop signed with No Limit Records, where he recorded his next three albums, Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told (1998), No Limit Top Dogg (1999), and Tha Last Meal (2000). Snoop then signed with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records in 2002, where he released Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss. He then signed with Geffen Records in 2004 for his next three albums, R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, and Ego Trippin'. Malice 'n Wonderland (2009), and Doggumentary (2011) were released on Priority. Snoop Dogg has starred in motion pictures and hosted several television shows, including Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, Snoop Dogg's Father Hood, and Dogg After Dark. He also coaches a youth football league and a high school football team. In September 2009 Snoop was hired by EMI as the chairman of reactivated Priority Records.

In 2012, after a trip to Jamaica, Snoop announced a conversion to Rastafarianism and a new alias, Snoop Lion. As Snoop Lion he released a reggae album, Reincarnated, and a documentary film of the same name, about his Jamaican experience, in early 2013. His 13th studio album, Bush, was released in May 2015 and marked a return of the Snoop Dogg name. His 14th solo studio album, Coolaid, was released in July 2016. Snoop has 17 Grammy nominations without a win.

In 2018, he released his first gospel album, Bible of Love.

Kool Moe Dee ranks Snoop at No. 33 in his book There's a God on the Mic, and says he has "an ultra-smooth, laidback delivery" and "flavor-filled melodic rhyming". Peter Shapiro describes Snoop's delivery as a "molasses drawl" and AllMusic notes his "drawled, laconic rhyming" style. Kool Moe Dee refers to Snoop's use of vocabulary, saying he "keeps it real simple...he simplifies it and he's effective in his simplicity".

Snoop is known to freestyle some of his lyrics on the spot for some songs – in the book How to Rap, Lady of Rage says, "Snoop Dogg, when I worked with him earlier in his career, that's how created his stuff... he would freestyle, he wasn't a writer then, he was a freestyler," and The D.O.C. states, "Snoop's [rap] was a one take willy, but his shit was all freestyle. He hadn't written nothing down. He just came in and started busting. The song was "Tha Shiznit"—that was all freestyle. He started busting and when we got to the break, Dre cut the machine off, did the chorus and told Snoop to come back in. He did that throughout the record. That's when Snoop was in the zone then."

Peter Shapiro says that Snoop debuted on "Deep Cover" with a "shockingly original flow – which sounded like a Slick Rick born in South Carolina instead of South London" and adds that he "showed where his style came from by covering Slick Rick's 'La Di Da Di'". Referring to Snoop's flow, Kool Moe Dee calls him "one of the smoothest, funkiest flow-ers in the game". How to Rap also notes that Snoop is known to use syncopation in his flow to give it a laidback quality, as well as 'linking with rhythm' in his compound rhymes, using alliteration, and employing a "sparse" flow with good use of pauses.

Snoop re-popularized the use of -izzle speak, particularly in the pop and hip-hop music industry.

Snoop Dogg is a lifelong fan of professional wrestling. On March 30, 2008, Snoop Dogg appeared at WrestleMania XXIV as a Master of Ceremonies for a tag team match between Maria and Ashley Massaro as they took on Beth Phoenix and Melina. On a March 23, 2015 episode of Raw, Snoop Dogg appeared in a segment with Hulk Hogan and Curtis Axel. At WrestleMania 32, he accompanied his cousin Sasha Banks to the ring for her match, rapping over her theme music. He was also inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016.

Broadus made a special guest appearance in All Elite Wrestling on the January 6, 2021, episode of AEW Dynamite, titled New Year's Smash. During this appearance, Snoop appeared in the corner of Cody Rhodes during Rhodes's match with Matt Sydal. He later gave Serpentico a Frog Splash, with Rhodes then delivering a three-count.

Snoop Dogg would join The Miz to host both nights of WrestleMania 39. During Night 1, he accompanied Rey Mysterio in a lowrider during his entrance, paying tribute to the late Eddie Guerrero. On Night 2, he introduced Shane McMahon to face The Miz in another spontaneous match. McMahon would sustain a quad injury during the match prompting Snoop Dogg to improvise and finish the match himself, ultimately defeating Miz. Snoop Dogg's improvisational acts were lauded by wrestlers and executives, including WWE chief content officer Triple H.

May I
Snoop Dogg Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now... who got the beat that makes ya bump?
And who got the bump that ya thump?
Well, I got the funk that makes ya bump
So we gon funk this motherfucker right on up
Well here's a toast to the boogie while I step on in
So put your lighters in the air and let the smoke kick in
I got the motion, the potion
And once hit the groove everything is in motion

We coastin through the neighborhood and lookin around
And all of my homies on lock down, we keep it underground
Man, I done found the only way to put mine down is to dip, skip with the homies from the Dogg Pound
Sup, Bow-Wow, how my nigga feelin?
Oh, I'm on the money mission to get a pocket full of millions
Like Sicilians, we do it mafioso
Doggy style, Dogg Pound, Death Row is the logo
I do it by my lonely cause I'm true to the code
Plus I die with the homies cause that's all I really know
Who started with me, who departed with me
Through thick and thin we heartless-ass G's
Regardless, let's see with biphocles, let's try the locals
And why'all wonder why they despise my vocals
I fooled you like crystals, rap spittin like lips do
When I dismiss you, me and my click, fool

[Chorus:]
May I (may... I), may I funk with you?
(repeat x4)
To be a high rolla, you need a pistola
And about a half a key of some Coca Cola
Now that I got older, I got a little colder
And I don't trip to get a chip off my nigga's shoulder
Million dreams of a gangsta, being like Cagney
A bowlie for Snoop Doggy
Ain't no follow-up, man, I'm a general, so when I put it down I gots to be so orignal
I'm quick to bust, just like Daz Dillinger
But that's the little homie, I'm the big homie, Snoop Don Corleone
Spit three words up in lightning
As long as I'm bouncin with this I know you like it
Fo' sho tho, you can't take my fo-do'
I'm layin around in the DPG in a grey photo
Get pushed around downtown in the back of a car
The Double are from the Durwood store

[Chorus:]
Well in verse three, the worst see?
After part two, know when I stop the clock there be a heart, too
And just the two of us, gonna show you how we do,
I thought you knew we bust
I demolish, stay polished, no time to rust
No dividing, multiplying cause it's never too much, like Luthor
Cause ya see ain't no loser
that can get the scoop on the supa-dupa Snoop
I refuse the tactics, you ain't used to drastics
I choose to mash like Land Cruisers
You know I isn't the bomb digga-dee, bomb-beeze
They can't get with the D-O double G
You no MC slash master of ceramonies
Runnin thangs, pullin strings callin Snoop pesky
Lesson, blessin', stressin' manifest me
Don't want to test me, I'm guaranteed to let it rest, see?

Chorus x3

May I?

Overall Meaning

In "May I," Snoop Dogg brings a funky beat that is perfect for getting the party started. The song is all about having a good time with friends, and Snoop sets the tone with his energetic and laid-back flow. He describes cruising with his homies through the neighborhood, soaking up the good vibes and enjoying the moment. The chorus, "May I funk with you," is an invitation to join in on the fun and dance the night away.

Throughout the song, Snoop drops references to his crew, including his affiliation with Death Row Records, the Dogg Pound, and his homies from the street. He also talks about his ambitions as a gangsta, dreaming of wealth and power, but never forgetting the loyalty and brotherhood that binds him to his people.

Snoop's delivery is confident and charismatic, blending smooth rhymes with playful wordplay, and his lyrical style is often imitated but never duplicated. "May I" is a classic party song that captures the essence of West Coast hip-hop and remains a fan favorite to this day.

Line by Line Meaning

Now... who got the beat that makes ya bump?
Who has the music that makes you dance and feel the rhythm?

And who got the bump that ya thump?
Who has the sound that you can feel in your body and makes you move?

Well, I got the funk that makes ya bump
I have the funk music that will make you dance and enjoy the vibe.

So we gon funk this motherfucker right on up
We're going to play this music loud and dance all night long.

Well here's a toast to the boogie while I step on in
Let's celebrate and dance to the music while I enter the party.

So put your lighters in the air and let the smoke kick in
Raise your lighters up high and start smoking to enhance the mood.

I got the motion, the potion
I have the moves and the energy to keep the party going.

And once hit the groove everything is in motion
Once we start dancing to the beat, we'll be in sync and the party will be lively.

We coastin through the neighborhood and lookin around
We're cruising through the streets enjoying the vibe and seeing what's going on.

And all of my homies on lock down, we keep it underground
My friends are all on board with the party and we keep it low-key and exclusive.

Man, I done found the only way to put mine down is to dip, skip with the homies from the Dogg Pound
The only way I truly relax is to hang out and chill with my friends from the Dogg Pound.

Sup, Bow-Wow, how my nigga feelin?
Hey Bow-Wow, how are you feeling, my friend?

Oh, I'm on the money mission to get a pocket full of millions
I'm on a mission to earn lots of cash and become wealthy.

Like Sicilians, we do it mafioso
Like the Italian mafia, we do things in a powerful and secretive way.

Doggy style, Dogg Pound, Death Row is the logo
I represent Doggy Style, Dogg Pound, and Death Row, and they are part of my brand.

I do it by my lonely cause I'm true to the code
I do things by myself because I believe in following a certain set of principles and standards.

Plus I die with the homies cause that's all I really know
I'm loyal to my friends and will be by their side until the end, as that's all I'm familiar with.

Who started with me, who departed with me
I remember who was there from the start and who has stuck with me throughout my journey.

Through thick and thin we heartless-ass G's
Through all the challenges and difficulties, we remain strong and unemotional gangstas.

Regardless, let's see with biphocles, let's try the locals
Anyway, let's look at things differently and try a new approach to achieving our goals.

And why'all wonder why they despise my vocals
People wonder why some don't like my singing voice.

I fooled you like crystals, rap spittin like lips do
I tricked you, just like a crystal can do, but my rapping is smooth like lips.

When I dismiss you, me and my click, fool
When I disregard you, I do so with my group of friends.

May I (may... I), may I funk with you?
Can I dance and enjoy this funk music with you?

To be a high rolla, you need a pistola
To be successful and powerful, you need a gun.

And about a half a key of some Coca Cola
And about 500 grams of cocaine.

Now that I got older, I got a little colder
As I got older, I became more reserved and less warm.

And I don't trip to get a chip off my nigga's shoulder
I don't get upset about my friend's problems and grievances.

I thought you knew we bust
I thought you knew we're hip-hop artists who rap and perform.

I demolish, stay polished, no time to rust
I'm confident in my skills, keep improving, and don't waste any time being idle.

No dividing, multiplying cause it's never too much, like Luthor
We're united as a group and work together to achieve success, just like Superman's enemy, Luthor.

Cause ya see ain't no loser that can get the scoop on the supa-dupa Snoop
You see, no one can knock me down or expose me because I'm the great Snoop Dogg.

I refuse the tactics, you ain't used to drastics
I reject certain approaches and methods that you're not familiar with.

I choose to mash like Land Cruisers
I choose to roll smoothly and powerfully, like a Land Cruiser car.

You no MC slash master of ceramonies
You know I'm a skilled rapper and great at hosting events.

Runnin thangs, pullin strings callin Snoop pesky
I'm in charge, make things happen, and people call me pesky or annoying because I'm persistent.

Lesson, blessin', stressin' manifest me
From the lessons and blessings in my life, and the stress I've endured, I became the person I am today.

Don't want to test me, I'm guaranteed to let it rest, see?
Don't try to provoke me, because I'll retaliate and you'll regret it.

May I?
Can I?

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CALVIN BROADUS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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