Snoop Dogg (Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr.) was born on October 20, 1971, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor.

Snoop is best known as an MC in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of producer Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. His catch phrase is "fo' shizzle, ma nizzle", meaning, "for sure, my nigga".

That style of slang was invented by Frankie Smith and The Gap Band in the early eighties, and popularized in part by fellow rapper E-40, much of which is simply derived by adding an "izz" or "-izzle" sound to the end of a word.

His mother nicknamed him "Snoopy" as a child because of the way he dressed and because of his love of the cartoon Peanuts; he took the stage name Snoop Doggy Dogg when he began recording.

He changed his name to Snoop Dogg in 1998, when he left his original record label Death Row Records and signed with No Limit Records. But he still can be called Snoop Doggy Dogg, which he does in his songs, or by other rappers.

Snoop Dogg's 2006 release, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, did well on its first week, debuting at #5, which has been his highest since 2000's The Last Meal.

The album, and the second single "That's That Shit" featuring R. Kelly have been received good critical response so far. In the album, he collaborated in a video with E-40 and other West Coast rappers for his single "Candy (Drippin' Like Water)", the first Snoop Dogg song to contain elements of the hyphy sound from E-40.

In July 2007, Snoop Dogg also made history by becoming the first artist to release a track as a ringtone prior to its release as a single, "It's The D.O.G.".

Currently Snoop Dogg is working with producer JT the Bigga Figga on a documentary DVD entitled Mandatory Business, which will feature the likes of Russell Simmons, Spike Lee, Xzibit, Young Buck and 50 Cent. There will also be a soundtrack released for the documentary.