Profile Text
Snoop Dogg in 2011, s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
Birth Name: Cordozar Broadus, Jr.
Place of Birth: Long Beach, Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: October 20, 1971
Ethnicity: African-American
Snoop Dogg is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, television personality, entrepreneur, and actor. A West Coat hip-hop pioneer, he has been an important figure in G-funk and gangsta rap. His songs include “Deep Cover,” “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang,” “What’s My Name?,” “Gin and Juice,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” and “Bad Decisions.” His roles include the films Caught Up , Ride (1998), Da Game of Life , Urban Menace , Hot Boyz , The Wrecking Crew (2000), Baby Boy , Training Day , Bones , The Wash (2001), Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle , which he wrote; Old School , Malibu’s Most Wanted , The Real Cancun , Tupac: Resurrection , Starsky & Hutch (2004), Soul Plane , Boss’n Up , Racing Stripes , The Tenants (2005), Snoop Dogg’s Hood of Horror , Arthur and the Minimoys , Down for Life , Falling Up , Brüno , The Big Bang , Mac & Devin Go to High School , Scary Movie 5 , Turbo (2013), Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping , Meet the Blacks , Unbelievable!!!!! (2016), Grow House , Future World (2018), The Beach Bum , Dolemite Is My Name , The Addams Family , Trouble (2019), The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run , Day Shift (2022), The Underdoggs , The Garfield Movie , and Piece by Piece (2024); and the shows Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood , Trailer Park Boys , Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party , Utopia Falls , BMF , and Doggyland . He has been a member of hip-hop group 213, with Nate Dogg ; hip hop trio Tha Eastsidaz; production supergroup QDT; funk duo 7 Days of Funk; and hip-hop supergroup Mount Westmore, with Ice Cube . He is also known as Snoop Doggy Dogg, Snoop, Snoop Lion, Bigg Snoop Dogg, Doggfather, Snoop Rock, DJ Snoopadelic, Snoopzilla, FaZe Snoop, and N—arachi.
Snoop is the son of Beverly (Tate) and Vernell Varnado. His father was a Vietnam veteran, singer, and mail carrier. Snoop was born Cordozar Broadus, after Calvin Cordozar Broadus, who was not his biological father. He was called Calvin at home, and received the nickname “Snoopy” from his parents, after the fictional character. A picture of Snoop with his father can be seen here and a picture of Snoop with his mother can be seen here . His half-brother was entertainment industry executive and businessperson Bing Worthington. Snoop was raised Baptist.
Snoop is married to Shante Taylor. He has four children, including three with Shante. He has aqcuired Death Row Records.
Snoop is a first cousin of professional wrestler and actress Mercedes Moné /Sasha Banks. He is also a first cousin of hip hop producer Daz Dillinger (Delmar Drew Arnaud), through Daz’s mother Allean Varnado; and is said to be a cousin of rappers RBX (Eric Dwayne Collins), Mr. Malik, Lil ½ Dead, Boldy James (James Clay Jones III), and UnoTheActivist (Troy Vashon Donte Lane); singer, rapper, songwriter, and his 213 bandmate Nate Dogg (born Nathaniel Dwayne Hale); and musicians/actors Brandy Norwood and Ray J , who are siblings.
Snoop’s paternal grandfather was William Varnado (the son of Cornelius Varnado and Annie/Anna Patterson). Snoop’s grandfather William was born in Mississippi. The surname Varnado in Mississippi originates with a French immigrant named Vernadeau. Cornelius was born in Mississippi, the son of Robert Varnado and Tempie. Annie was born in Mississippi, the daughter of George Patterson and Martha A. Smith.
Snoop’s paternal grandmother was Minnie Felder (the daughter of Charles/Charlie/Charley Felder and Carrie Owens/Owen). Minnie was born in Irene, Pike County, Mississippi. Charles was born in Amite, Mississippi, the son of John Felder and Tempey McCray. Carrie was born in Amite.
Snoop’s maternal grandfather was Jeremiah Tate (the son of John Tate and Maud/Maude Christophers/Christopher). Jeremiah was born in McComb, Pike, Mississippi. John was born in Greensburg, St. Helena, Louisiana, the son of Dave Tate and Letha A. Maud was born in Pike.
Snoop’s maternal grandmother was Dorothy Dean Martin (the daughter of George Martin and Annie Brown). Dorothy was born in McComb, Pike, Mississippi, to parents who were also born there. George was the son of Gabriel Martin and Rose Gallagher/Galliton.
A DNA test whose results were displayed on the show Lopez Tonight (2010) stated that Snoop’s genetic ancestry is:
*71% Sub-Saharan African *23% Native American *6% European
*71% Sub-Saharan African *23% Native American *6% European
The DNA tests on Lopez Tonight were an early iteration whose accuracy has come into question.
Sources: Genealogies of Snoop Dogg – http://www.wargs.com https://www.geni.com http://www.wikitree.com
Genealogies of Snoop Dogg’s paternal grandparents, William Varnado and Minnie (Felder) Varnado – https://www.findagrave.com
Snoop Dogg’s paternal grandfather, William Varnado, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org Snoop Dogg’s paternal grandfather, William Varnado, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org