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 4ร 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 โ 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"โthat 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 โ 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.
lil' ghetto boy
Snoop Dogg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That know how to do things that's workin' for other people
Y'all need to open your own business
Save your money, quit payin' motherfuckers for jheri curls
Quit payin' motherfuckers for perms
Save your money, start your own business
So these little Africans will have way-, places to work
This is our future right here
This (the new generation is goin', the new generation)
Hey, I'ma tell you right now, if, if, if I have to die today
For this little African right here to have a future
I'm a dead motherfucker (you right)
Wake up, jumped out my bed
I'm in a two-man cell with my homie Lil' 1/2 Dead
Murder was the case that they gave me
Dear God, I wonder, can you save me?
I'm only eighteen, so I'm a young buck
It's a riot, if I don't scrap, I'm gettin' stuck
But that's the life of a G, I guess
Eses way deep, shanked two in the chest
Best run 'cause brothers is droppin' quicker
Uh, too late, damn, down goes another nigga
Bouncin' off the walls, throwin' them dogs
Gettin' that rep as a young hog
It ain't nothin' like the street life
You better be strapped with your shank, 'cause ain't no fist fight
So I guess I gots to handle mine
Since I did the crime, I gots to do my time
Dem say me grow up to be nothin'
Look at me now and tell me what you see (tell me what you see)
I am what I am, it's only me
Little ghetto boy
Playin' in the ghetto street
Whatcha gonna do when you grow up
And have to face responsibility?
Now I'm holdin' a dub, sittin' on swoll
Twenty-seven years old, up for parole, stroll
I'm back up on my feet with my mind on the money
That I'll be makin' soon as I touch the streets
Things done changed on this side
Remember they used to thump, but now they blast, right
But it ain't no thang to me
'Cause now I'm what they call a loc'd-ass OG
The lil' homies from the hood with grip
Are the ones I get with 'cause I'm down to set trip
Nigga, I'm bigger than you, so what you wanna do?
Didn't know he had a .22
Straight sittin' behind his back
I grabbed his pockets and then I heard six caps
I fell to the ground with blood on my hands
I didn't understand
How a nigga so young could bust a cap
I used to be the same way back
I guess that's what I get (for what?)
For tryna jack the lil' homies for they grip
Mi learn many things from what mi see from the street
The outcome of what I've come to be
Little ghetto boy
Playin' in the ghetto street
Whatcha gonna do when you grow up
And have to face responsibility?
Somethin' for the real OGs to get with
Some facts, made our made, now you runnin' but don't play
Like every single day, really, though
You know me, I'm the smooth macadamien, gamin' them for my homie
No need in bein' calm if you pack right
And learnin' just enough to keep your sack right
Late nights, I wonder what they gettin' for?
Early mornin' on the corners, what they hittin' for?
Seven young G's put they serve down
In the G ride, East side's where they swerve now
Not thinkin' about what's really goin' on
Got crept on, stepped on, now they gone
I spent four years in the county with nothin' but convicts around me
But now I'm back at Tha Pound
And we expose ways for the youth to survive
Some think it's wrong but we tend to think it's right
So make all them ends you can make
'Cause when you're broke, you break, check it out
So ain't no need for your mama to trip
'Cause you's a hustlin'-ass youngsta, clockin' your grip
And now mi finally grown as you can see (as you can see)
Still an OG, for life and always remain to be
A little ghetto boy
Playin' in the ghetto street
Whatcha gonna do when you grow up
And have to face responsibility?
The lyrics of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's song "Lil' Ghetto Boy" tell the story of growing up in the impoverished inner city and the struggle to make a better future for oneself. The song urges young African Americans to open their own businesses and invest in their futures to provide employment opportunities for future generations. The lyrics also highlight the harsh realities of street life and the consequences that come with it. Snoop discusses his time in prison, the violence and danger that permeates the streets, and the pressure to make a living by any means necessary. The song concludes with a sense of hopefulness and a desire for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
So, all of you Africans, all of you Africans
Addressing all African American people
That know how to do things that's workin' for other people
Who are skilled laborers working for others
Y'all need to open your own business
Start your own business
Quit payin' motherfuckers for jheri curls
Stop spending money on unnecessary things like hair treatments
Quit payin' motherfuckers for perms
Stop spending money on unnecessary things like hair treatments
Save your money, start your own business
Invest your money into starting your own business
So these little Africans will have way-, places to work
To provide employment opportunities for the younger generation of African Americans
This is our future right here
Investing in our own community is crucial for our future
This our future right here (right there)
Our future is in our own hands
This (the new generation is goin', the new generation)
The younger generation has the potential to make a change
Hey, I'ma tell you right now, if, if, if I have to die today
Willing to sacrifice everything for the younger generation
For this little African right here to have a future
To secure a better future for younger African Americans
I'm a dead motherfucker (you right)
Refusing to let the younger generation repeat the same mistakes
Wake up, jumped out my bed
Waking up in prison
I'm in a two-man cell with my homie Lil' 1/2 Dead
Currently in a small prison cell with a fellow inmate
Murder was the case that they gave me
Being falsely accused of murder
Dear God, I wonder, can you save me?
Questioning if a higher power can provide a breakthrough
I'm only eighteen, so I'm a young buck
Being young and naive
It's a riot, if I don't scrap, I'm gettin' stuck
Violence is a common occurrence in prison, one must fight to survive
But that's the life of a G, I guess
Living a thug life is the hand they've been dealt with
Eses way deep, shanked two in the chest
Gang war is common, and violence is a way of life
Best run 'cause brothers is droppin' quicker
The mortality rate in prison is high
Uh, too late, damn, down goes another nigga
People are dying left and right, with no end in sight
Bouncin' off the walls, throwin' them dogs
Going crazy in confinement
Gettin' that rep as a young hog
Building a reputation as a tough inmate
It ain't nothin' like the street life
Prison is just like the streets, violent and dangerous
You better be strapped with your shank, 'cause ain't no fist fight
To survive, one must always be prepared for violence
So I guess I gots to handle mine
Having to fight and defend oneself
Since I did the crime, I gots to do my time
Serving time for the wrongs one has done
Dem say me grow up to be nothin'
Having low expectations set by others
Look at me now and tell me what you see (tell me what you see)
Proving others wrong and succeeding despite the odds
I am what I am, it's only me
Being true to oneself and not letting others define you
Little ghetto boy
Growing up in the ghetto and facing struggles
Playin' in the ghetto street
Growing up in a dangerous and rough neighborhood
Whatcha gonna do when you grow up
What will be done to ensure success and avoid the pitfalls of the neighborhood
And have to face responsibility?
Taking on adult responsibilities and being accountable for their actions
Now I'm holdin' a dub, sittin' on swoll
Having money and looking physically fit
Twenty-seven years old, up for parole, stroll
Serving a long sentence and being up for parole
I'm back up on my feet with my mind on the money
Focused on making money and getting back on track
That I'll be makin' soon as I touch the streets
Eager to start making money again once out of prison
Things done changed on this side
The world has changed while they were in prison
Remember they used to thump, but now they blast, right
Violence has escalated and guns are now the weapon of choice
But it ain't no thang to me
Violence is something they're used to
'Cause now I'm what they call a loc'd-ass OG
Now considered a true gangster
The lil' homies from the hood with grip
The younger gang members who are still in the neighborhood
Are the ones I get with 'cause I'm down to set trip
Choosing to align oneself with younger gang members to continue the gang life
Nigga, I'm bigger than you, so what you wanna do?
Asserting dominance as an OG in the gang
Didn't know he had a .22
Getting caught off guard in a violent situation
Straight sittin' behind his back
Sneakily positioning oneself behind a target
I grabbed his pockets and then I heard six caps
Robbing and shooting a target
I fell to the ground with blood on my hands
The violent act has come at a cost, with blood on their hands
I didn't understand
Unclear on the repercussions of such violence
How a nigga so young could bust a cap
Surprised by the young age of the target
I used to be the same way back
Having a realization and reflection that they were once like that
I guess that's what I get (for what?)
Feeling as if the violent acts they committed has come back to haunt them
For tryna jack the lil' homies for they grip
Robbing younger gang members for money
Mi learn many things from what mi see from the street
Learning important lessons through personal experiences on the street
The outcome of what I've come to be
The result of a life committed to the gang life
Somethin' for the real OGs to get with
Advice for other OGs in the gang
Some facts, made our made, now you runnin' but don't play
The cold, hard truth about the gang life
Like every single day, really, though
An everyday reality for those in the gang life
You know me, I'm the smooth macadamien, gamin' them for my homie
Being smooth and intelligent in dealing with others for the benefit of the gang
No need in bein' calm if you pack right
Being prepared for any situation with the right equipment
And learnin' just enough to keep your sack right
Knowing just enough to maintain their stash of drugs
Late nights, I wonder what they gettin' for?
Questioning the reasons behind the illegal activity they partake in
Early mornin' on the corners, what they hittin' for?
Wondering what young gang members are doing out so early in the morning
Seven young G's put they serve down
Seven younger members of the gang have decided to stop serving
In the G ride, East side's where they swerve now
The remaining members now ride around in a car and operate from the East side
Not thinkin' about what's really goin' on
Not understanding the reality of the gang life
Got crept on, stepped on, now they gone
The dangers of leaving the gang life behind
I spent four years in the county with nothin' but convicts around me
Having served a long sentence with no real change or rehabilitation
But now I'm back at Tha Pound
Being back in the neighborhood
And we expose ways for the youth to survive
Teaching the younger generation how to survive in the harsh realities of the neighborhood
Some think it's wrong but we tend to think it's right
Some may disagree with their methods but they believe it's necessary for survival
So make all them ends you can make
Encouraging others to make as much money as possible
'Cause when you're broke, you break, check it out
Urging people to avoid the risks of poverty
So ain't no need for your mama to trip
Assuring mothers that their children are surviving and thriving in the neighborhood
'Cause you's a hustlin'-ass youngsta, clockin' your grip
Praising the younger generation for their hustle to make money
And now mi finally grown as you can see (as you can see)
Growing older and wiser with age and experience
Still an OG, for life and always remain to be
Proud of their status as an OG and continuing to uphold the gang life
A little ghetto boy
Growing up in a dangerous and impoverished neighborhood, still facing struggles
Lyrics ยฉ CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andre Young, Calvin Broadus, Delmar Drew Arnaud, Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, Tracy Lynn Curry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@moisesmartinez4458
Wake up jump out my bed I'm a two men cell,damn real shit I was 16 when this song came out and I was out of control so I listened to this and think how I'm still alive thank you Lord
@usssanjacinto1
That flute......on point!
@johncella7947
usssanjacinto1 squidward did his thing
@johnmanning4097
Y E S
@kevinmullins1143
๐ฏ๐
@brothas4life276
Oh that flute just takes you into a notha level so nice tonesโบ๐
@prynceal6762
Slidin wit dat bih
@marvinmcgrath1578
When you broke you break. . That line tho
@TampaAries
Young Snoop was untouchable!
@ryangordon133
In my opinion this is Snoops best verses ever.