Snoop Dogg Lost Fans Thanks To His Wholesome New Image (And His Rap Game Suffered)

Highlights

• Snoop Dogg’s transition from gangsta rapper to beloved TV personality caused some fans to question his rap game and loyalty.
• Snoop’s rebranding made him more appealing to the masses, but some fans accused him of selling out and losing his edge.
• Despite criticism, Snoop’s business acumen and ability to diversify his career have allowed him to build a successful empire that goes beyond rap.

Snoop Dogg was first recognized as a rapper by fans when he appeared on Dr. Dre’s single, “Deep Cover” and then on Dre’s album, The Chronic in 1992. The sound of Dogg’s voice was unlike anything else in the rap game and by 1993, Dr. Dre had helped Snoop Dogg release his first album, Doggystyle, which was both a critical and commercial success.

What differentiated Snoop, born Calvin Broadus, from other rappers of the time was that he was liked by everyone. Drug dealers enjoyed his music. Middle America was listening to his music. Even Cameron Diaz, who knew Snoop in high school, was a fan. Snoop was a phenomenon and his record sales reflected as much. But even with popularity being received from all social classes and backgrounds, Snoop was still seen as a dangerous rapper. That is, until he was not.

As Snoop has gotten older, his personality has not changed. However, his approach to life and business has. Snoop Dogg’s pivot to a beloved TV personality has caused former fans to question his rap game and whether he truly belongs anymore.

Snoop Dogg Has Gone From Dangerous Rapper To Beloved TV Personality

Snoop Dogg went from gangsta rapper to being great friends with Martha Stewart

Shortly after his debut album was released, Snoop and his bodyguard, McKinley Lee, were charged with killing a rival gang member. The two were facing first and second-degree murder charges for the altercation that led to the death of Little Smooth.

At the time, Snoop was associated with the Rollin’ 20 Crips and Little Smooth, aka Philip Woldermariam was reportedly a member of the By Yerself Hustlers. The two had gotten into it earlier in the day. Reportedly, when Snoop and Lee saw Little Smooth and other members of the gang in Crips territory, they confronted them.

An argument ensued, according to iHeart. Lee drew his gun and Little Smooth reached for his. Snoop ducked and Lee shot Little Smooth before being shot.

Instead of causing issues for Snoop’s career, even before he was found not guilty, he became more revered than ever. His sophomore album, Tha Doggfather was again incredibly successful, going double platinum in a matter of days. The songs from the album are still some of the most popular of Snoop’s on Spotify (although Snoop’s salary from Spotify is not what built his net worth).

It was at this time that Snoop recognized that he needed to rebrand himself. He was closely associated with Suge Knight, who was in prison for beating up a rival gang member with Tupac Shakur shortly before Shakur was killed. This was when Master P approached Snoop and asked him to sign with No Limit.

After being released from Death Row Records, Snoop’s life went on a very different trajectory than it previously was. Suddenly, Snoop was collaborating with artists in different music genres from him. He guest-starred in TV shows and movies. Snoop even did voice acting work for several animated series.

However, it was not until Snoop struck up a friendship with Martha Stewart after appearing on The Martha Stewart Show that his career took off. No longer was Snoop seen as dangerous but instead, as a humorous and fun-loving man that, again, middle America loved.

Snoop’s fun-loving nature was seen when Andy Cohen interviewed the rapper. It was further seen with every brand collaboration Snoop did where he did not take himself seriously.

As a result, Snoop built himself an empire that no longer revolved simply around the world of rap. His career was diversified and Snoop built a net worth of $160 million off of this diversification.

Some Fans Believe Snoop Dogg Has Sold Out As He Aged

Snoop Dogg’s rebranding made fans feel Snoop lost his edge

When Snoop made his transition from only being known as one of the most successful rappers in gangsta rap and helping to shape the face of the West Coast hip-hop scene, fans were not sure what to think.

Some even went so far as to believe that in his rebranding and changing with the times to appeal to the masses, Snoop sold out. Fans who had been with Snoop since the early 1990s were no longer the loyal fans they once were.

After the move from Death Row to No Limit, fans believe that Snoop lost some of his edge. This led to Snoop becoming a “character” that the masses loved. By doing this, some fans felt that Snoop was turning his back on where he came from and those who helped make him a success.

Others felt that Snoop was “the most overrated rapper ever” who got lucky with Doggystyle and Tha Doggfather. As such, it was not a surprise to some that “selling out” was the only way that Snoop would continue to make money.

But for the detractors of the direction that Snoop’s career has gone, there are even more who believe Snoop was wise with his career moves and for pivoting away from being exclusively known as a rapper. Some believe this move was more “gangster” than staying the course with the rap scene.

Snoop Dogg Is Still Seen As “Gangster” By Some Fans

Snoop Dogg’s loyal fans think his business acumen that has built his empire is more “gangster” than anything else Snoop has done

Snoop spent a good deal of the early 2000s making himself into a brand that was approachable for everyone, regardless of background. Some think that Snoop had a wake-up call with the deaths of Biggie and Shakur and recognized a new direction was necessary.

Others think that his being mentored by Dr. Dre helped give Snoop a business perspective on the entertainment industry, given that “Dre was all about the business” and the ability to recognize that not being pigeonholed was the only way to continue to make money.

Regardless of what caused the directional shift in Snoop’s career, those who remain fans today, believe that “not going back to a life that sent so many people crashing down” is one of the most “gangster” things that Snoop could have done for himself and his family.

As Snoop got older and recognized the ways he could brand himself, he gained a business acumen that took him from a rich man to a man with an empire, something many do not even attempt because they are afraid of failure.

Not only has Snoop not failed with his rebranding, he has become more recognizable than he would have been as a rapper alone. Snoop “analyzed his life” and saw what he had to do to become wealthy and went down that path without looking back. Some fans think that saved his life and could have saved the lives of other rappers gone too soon, had they done the same.

Source: NewsFinale