Cordozar Calvin Broadus (born October 20, 1971), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer and actor. Snoop is best known as an MC (Master of Ceremonies#Hip hop culture) in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dres most notable prot�g�s (Mentorship). Snoop Dogg was a Crip (Crips) gang member while in high school. Shortly after graduation, he was arrested for cocaine possession and sentenced to three years in prison. His music career began in 1992 after his release when he was discovered by Dr. Dre. He collaborated on several tracks on Dres solo debut, The Chronic and on the titular theme song to the film Deep Cover.

Snoops debut album, Doggystyle, was released in 1993 under Death Row Records. Doggystyle went quadruple platinum and spawned several hit singles, including "Whats My Name" and "Gin & Juice." In 1996, Snoop Dogg was cleared of charges over his bodyguards 1993 murder of Philip Woldemariam. His second album, 1996s Tha Doggfather, was his last release for Death Row before he signed with No Limit Records, where he recorded three albums from 1998 to 2001. Snoop then signed with Priority (Priority Records)/Capitol (Capitol Records)/EMI Records (EMI) in 2002, which released his album Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss, and then he signed with Geffen Records in 2004 for his next three albums.

In addition to music, Snoop Dogg has starred in motion pictures and hosted several television shows: Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, Snoop Doggs Father Hood and Dogg After Dark. He also coaches a youth football league and high school football team. He has run into many legal troubles, some of which caused him to be legally banned from the UK and Australia, the UK ban was later reversed after a long legal battle . He is the cousin of emcees Nate Dogg, Daz Dillinger, RBX and Lil � Dead and the cousin of R&B singers Brandy (Brandy Norwood) and Ray J. Starting September 2009, Snoop was hired by EMI as the chairman of a reactivated Priority Records. His tenth studio album, Malice n Wonderland was released December 8, 2009.