How Corodozar Calvin Broadus, Jr. Became Snoop Dogg

What is remarkable about social media is the ability to create: the ability for a user to craft himself into a unique persona--the ability to pick and choose what the audience sees and does not see. Phenoms around the world use social media to promote, to engage, and ultimately to ascend in the hierarchy of fame.

Corodozar Calvin Broadus, Jr. (or otherwise known as Snoop Dogg) was born on October 20th of 1971 in Long Beach, California. After being arrested for drug possession in his adolescent years, Snoop started to make music as an escape from this struggle. His hip career blossomed in 1992, when he met the iconic producer-rapper Dr. Dre and was featured on the single, “Deep Cover”. Snoop’s “drawled” vocals caused much excitement and uproar. Snoop Dogg’s debut album, “Doggystyle” was the first debut album to have the number one slot in the Billboard top 20.

During this rise to fame, however, Snoop was entangled with legal charges. In 1993, he was guilty of gun possession; three years later, he was arrested in suspicion of involvement in a drive by shooting. He was cleared of all the charges, but his predicament with the court is what caused the delay in the release of his next album, “Tha Dogfather.” His legal incidents were plastered all over the news, and his headlines certainly kept people talking. Snoop’s criminal background was a precursor to fame, for thousands of curious people began to listen his music. Soon, the public was smitten over his playful, laid back personality. His peculiar slang and his laid back rapping were soon the trademarks of his West Coast, hip-hop image. His unique presence also earned him a spot in many television shows, including his own reality series, “Father Hood”.

It’s difficult to cre...

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...dience, he is able to gain huge profits by selling his own products to his fanbase almost effortlessly. Other corporations, such as Overstock.com, have noticed his large sphere of influence and are now willing to pay for advertised tweets. In fact, Snoop Dogg makes at least $8,000 per sponsored tweet.

Ultimately, social media is a platform for other bold hip hop artists to transcend boundaries in order to increase popularity. Rappers such as Macklemore have incorporated controversial social topics into their social media usage; although it may receive some heated debate, it’s certain to keep people talking. Snoop Dogg used this advantage to enhance an image of himself: to show that there is complexities to him that keep his fanbase continuously intrigued. He has indeed earned a top spot in the “hierarchy of fame”... in addition to a wad full of cash in his pocket.