Snoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus) got his nickname because of his striking resemblance ot the peanuts character Snoopy the dog. Growin up, Snoop hung out with Warren G and Nate Dogg, rapping and playin basketball. Snoop was a good high school student and was hella good at basketball. Several basketball programs recruited him, but he got caught up with the Long Beach Insane Crips, and ended up in jail just after he graduated. For tha next 3 years Snoop Dogg was bouncin in and out of jail, but then soon he dedicated himself to rap. Snoop's homeboy Warren G, hooked him up with his first break by playin his tape to his brother, Dr. Dre. Dre loved Snoop's rappin so they hooked it up. In 1992 Dr. Dre introduced Calvin Broadus as Snoop Doggy Dogg, on the song Deep Cover. The same year Dr. Dre released his first Solo album The Chronic, and Snoop was on just about every song. In 1994 Snoop's solo first album, Doggystyle, was released. After the Chronic Snoop was known as a great rapper, so everybody was buyin Doggystyle, and went 5 times platinum. Later that same year Snoop and his bodygaurd McKinley Lee were arrested for the murder of Philip Woldermariam, who was shot in a drive by on August 25, 1993. The trial continued till early 96, when Snoop Dogg and Lee were aquitted of all charges. In November of 1996 Snoop released his second album, Tha Doggfather. Expectations were low, since this album was done without Dre producing or helping in any way, because of his departure from Deathrow. The album debuted at #1, and went double platinum. Next up for Snoop was headlining Lollapalooza Tour. Snoop was suppose to release an EP title Doggumentary, but with problems with Suge Knight and Deathrow, the album kept being delayed and eventually never was released. In early 98 Snoop Dogg announced he was leaving his current label, Deathrow Records, because he said if he stayed his life would be in danger. In a later interview with the Source magazine more and more problems with Deathrow were revealed. Earlier this year Deathrow sold Snoop's contract to Master P's label No Limit records. He is now releasing a new album on August 4th, titled Snoop World- Tha Game is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told. He is also releasing a straight to video move called Da Game of Life, release date is August 18th. Since Snoop has left Deathrow, he has been doing so much. Snoop Doggy Dogg has also had time to do a n MTV Softball challenge, and make many guest appearances on a countless list of other artists. Snoop Dogg has proved to be one of the most successful and great rappers of the times, and will continue to prove this as time passes by. Snoop has recently signed with MCA Records and his Label Doggystyle Records has also been signed over snoop is also due to drop a new album in the second half of 2002