The Untold Stories of Snoop Dogg | Death Row, Dr. Dre, and Last Moments w/ Tupac | Big Boy Off Air

Snoop describes his childhood growing up on the East Side in the 70s and 80s as fun, playing outside, fighting, and being part of the community. However, in the mid-80s, the drug game entered their community, changing his life course. He wanted to be on his own at 16, leading to him being thrown out by his mother and sleeping in his car for two months. He moved in with an aunt and learned to be a counselor to her daughters, one with disabilities and another struggling with addiction, which he believes helped him later in life. Snoop always aspired to be an athlete, comedian, and musician, drawing inspiration from figures like Magic Johnson, Muhammad Ali, Richard Pryor, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield, embodying various aspects of their talents.

Snoop's introduction to hip-hop was through 'Super Rhyme' by Count Coolout, a song he learned before 'Rapper's Delight', captivated by its diverse characters and voices. His first rap was terrible, and he admitted to being a freestyler rather than a writer early on. He met Sean, who later became Domino, in junior high, and Sean wrote most of their early songs. Snoop met Nate Dogg in high school in a science class. They bonded over music, with Snoop rapping and Nate singing. He grew up with Warren G on the East Side, and their connection with Nate Dogg forged a strong musical trio. They faced challenges, including Warren G being protective of Snoop and clashes between Nate Dogg and Warren G, but their combined talent always led to magic in the studio.

Snoop Dogg, disheartened by a record label's rejection and comparison to DJ Quik, threw away all his raps, contemplating a return to selling drugs. Warren G, however, retrieved them from the trash, demonstrating his unwavering belief in Snoop's talent. Despite Warren G's connection to Dr. Dre, Snoop initially lacked confidence and didn't want to rely on the family connection. His big break came when Warren G played Snoop’s demo for Dr. Dre at a party. Dre was impressed and asked Snoop to the studio the next day. The next day, Dre sampled a James Brown song for "Deep Cover," a track meant for a movie soundtrack. Snoop initially intended to write the song for just Dr. Dre, but Dre pushed him to contribute verses and eventually feature on the track himself. This led to Snoop's first music video appearance, where he awkwardly reenacted a scene for the director.

Snoop Dogg reflects on the early days of Death Row Records, describing a mix of misunderstandings and solidifying relationships among real gang members who found mutual respect as they worked together. He emphasizes how the dynamic helped transcend gang affiliations, leading to strong friendships. The Soul Train Awards performance of "G Thing" with Dr. Dre marked a significant moment for Snoop, realizing Death Row's impact as he saw celebrities react. He details his first meeting with Tupac at a “rap party,” where they engaged in an aggressive but respectful freestyle battle. Snoop was instrumental in getting Tupac signed to Death Row, convincing Suge Knight to bail him out of prison. However, Snoop grew concerned when Tupac, initially neutral, chose sides in the East-West Coast rivalry, seeing it as a path to his demise. Their relationship soured after Snoop expressed a desire to collaborate with Bad Boy artists, which Tupac saw as a betrayal.

Snoop recounts a tense airplane flight with Tupac where, after a perceived slight, he felt vulnerable and prepared for a confrontation that never occurred. The last interaction he had with Tupac was at the airport right before Tupac headed to Vegas, marked by a dismissive gesture from Tupac. When Snoop learned Tupac was shot, he rushed to the hospital. He spoke to an unconscious Tupac, expressing his love and regret. Tupac's mother comforted him, but Snoop knew the situation was dire despite his initial hope that Tupac, whom he saw as 'Superman,' would recover. He reflects on his different approach to 'the game' compared to Tupac, choosing to prioritize his family and personal growth over constant confrontation, adopting the 'Dog Father' persona to signify his evolution from a gang-banging youth.

Snoop emphasizes that family is his everything, the reason he lives, fights, and strives to do right. He contrasts this with Tupac, who, lacking a strong family unit, found his extended family in Death Row. Snoop acknowledges his past decision to prioritize his career over his wife at one point, even considering divorce, but his wife's steadfastness and his own realization that he was better with her led to a stronger relationship. He plans to record a song with Sade and expressed gratitude for his career and his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, jokingly crediting himself as he should. The interview concludes with a lighthearted exchange about Snoop's continuous cannabis use, highlighting his enduring persona.