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| Courtesy Death Row Pictures |
Snoop Dogg is ready for his close-up.
Universal Pictures announced that the gangster-rapper from Long Beach, CA, turned unlikely lifestyle guru and renaissance man, is getting his own biopic.
The studio behind 2015’s Oscar-nominated “Straight Outta Compton” about legendary hip-hop group NWA — which grossed over $200 million and is considered of the most successful musical biopics ever — shared the news on Wednesday (Nov. 10).
"What's his name? Snoop Dooogggyyy Doooooggg," Universal Pictures tweeted. "That's right, we're partnering with the Dogg Father himself @SnoopDogg to bring his legendary life-story to the big screen."
The revelation was followed by a statement from the 51-year-old rapper, born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, confirming the collaboration.
“I waited a long time to put this project together because I wanted to choose the right director, the perfect writer, and the greatest movie company I could partner with that could understand the legacy that I’m trying to portray on screen, and the memory I’m trying to leave behind,” Snoop said. “It was the perfect marriage. It was holy matrimony, not holy macaroni.”
With a script by Joe Robert Cole, who co-wrote the two “Black Panther” films, and directed by Allen Hughes (“Menace II Society”), the film will be the first project under his newly formed Death Row Pictures imprint. He will also serve as a producer on the film along with Sara Ramaker.
“Snoop Dogg is one of the most internationally beloved figures in Hip Hop. There’s just something about his energy that brings people of all walks of life together. Snoop Dogg, not just the artist, but the man and his brand, has transcended generations with his connection and appeal to audiences." Hughes added, “His story is so authentic and utterly inspiring, and to have the opportunity to tell his story allows me to go back to the hood 30 years after Menace II Society, and say more now than I could then.”
The film will have an abundance of material to draw from.
A key player on the West Coast rap scene after his discovery by Dr. Dre in 1992 which led to him being featured on the former NWA members classic solo debut album “The Chronic,” Snoop Dogg has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide.
He has appeared on television and in the movies and managed a successful career as a brand ambassador and lifetime guru, even partnering up with style icon Martha Stewart along the way.
His career has not been without controversy, however, including one that threatened to end his career before it began.
In 1993, the year his now classic debut album “Doggystyle” entered the charts, he was charged with first-degree murder for the shooting of Philip Woldermariam, a rival gang member.
Represented by legal wunderkind Johnnie Cochran, who helped secure OJ Simpson’s not guilty verdict the year before, it was determined that Snoop’s bodyguard pulled the trigger in the fatal shooting.
The drama was documented in the most popular single from “Doggystyle,” “Murder Was the Case.” The song, nor the short film that accompanied it, proved favorable for him at trial. They did help the album become the fastest-selling hip-hop album ever at the time. "Doggystyle" sold over 11 million copies worldwide.
"What's his name? Snoop Dooogggyyy Doooooggg," Universal Pictures tweeted. "That's right, we're partnering with the Dogg Father himself @SnoopDogg to bring his legendary life-story to the big screen."
What’s his name? 🎶Snoop Dooogggyyy Doooooggg🎶 That’s right, we’re partnering with the Dogg Father himself @SnoopDogg to bring his legendary life-story to the big screen. pic.twitter.com/X0o9DqfA41
— Universal Pictures (@UniversalPics) November 9, 2022
The revelation was followed by a statement from the 51-year-old rapper, born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, confirming the collaboration.
“I waited a long time to put this project together because I wanted to choose the right director, the perfect writer, and the greatest movie company I could partner with that could understand the legacy that I’m trying to portray on screen, and the memory I’m trying to leave behind,” Snoop said. “It was the perfect marriage. It was holy matrimony, not holy macaroni.”
With a script by Joe Robert Cole, who co-wrote the two “Black Panther” films, and directed by Allen Hughes (“Menace II Society”), the film will be the first project under his newly formed Death Row Pictures imprint. He will also serve as a producer on the film along with Sara Ramaker.
“Snoop Dogg is one of the most internationally beloved figures in Hip Hop. There’s just something about his energy that brings people of all walks of life together. Snoop Dogg, not just the artist, but the man and his brand, has transcended generations with his connection and appeal to audiences." Hughes added, “His story is so authentic and utterly inspiring, and to have the opportunity to tell his story allows me to go back to the hood 30 years after Menace II Society, and say more now than I could then.”
The film will have an abundance of material to draw from.
A key player on the West Coast rap scene after his discovery by Dr. Dre in 1992 which led to him being featured on the former NWA members classic solo debut album “The Chronic,” Snoop Dogg has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide.
He has appeared on television and in the movies and managed a successful career as a brand ambassador and lifetime guru, even partnering up with style icon Martha Stewart along the way.
His career has not been without controversy, however, including one that threatened to end his career before it began.
In 1993, the year his now classic debut album “Doggystyle” entered the charts, he was charged with first-degree murder for the shooting of Philip Woldermariam, a rival gang member.
Represented by legal wunderkind Johnnie Cochran, who helped secure OJ Simpson’s not guilty verdict the year before, it was determined that Snoop’s bodyguard pulled the trigger in the fatal shooting.
The drama was documented in the most popular single from “Doggystyle,” “Murder Was the Case.” The song, nor the short film that accompanied it, proved favorable for him at trial. They did help the album become the fastest-selling hip-hop album ever at the time. "Doggystyle" sold over 11 million copies worldwide.
