Coordinates	51°56′36″N6°27′34 }}″N
name	Doggumentary
cover	Doggumentary - Album cover.jpg
border	yes
type	Studio
artist	Snoop Dogg
released	March 29, 2011
recorded	2010–2011
length	79:44
genre	Hip Hop, R&B;
label	Doggystyle, Priority
producer	Snoop Dogg (exec.), Jake One, Battlecat, DJ Khalil, Lex Luger, Kanye West, Fredwreck, the Cataracs, Scoop DeVille, Gorillaz, Mr. Porter, Warryn Campbell, David Banner, Meech Wells, Scott Storch, Willie Nelson
last album	''Malice n Wonderland''(2009)
this album	''Doggumentary''(2011)
misc	}}

''Doggumentary'' (previously titled ''Doggumentary Music'' and ''Doggystyle 2: Tha Doggumentary'') is the eleventh studio album by American hip hop artist Snoop Dogg; released by Priority Records on March 29, 2011. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2010 to 2011. Production was handled by several record producers, including Battlecat, The Cataracs, Damon Albarn, Gorillaz, Jason Cox, David Banner, THX, DJ Khalil, Fredwreck, Jake One, Kanye West, Mike Dean, Jeff Bhasker, Lex Luger, Meech Wells, Soul Mechanix, Mr. Porter, Rick Rock, Rick Rude, Scoop DeVille, Scott Storch, Warryn Campbell, DJ Reflex, among others.

The album debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 50,000 copies in its first week in the United States.

Background

Snoop Dogg first announced that he was working on a sequel to his 1993 debut album ''Doggystyle'' during a studio session with Hip hop producer and rapper Swizz Beatz. The two stated they knocked out eighteen tracks and Snoop ended the video out saying he gave him some gangsta tracks, some R&B; tracks and some Hip Hop tracks. Snoop Dogg called off plans to release the sequel to his classic debut Doggystyle, instead opting for the title Doggumentary Music for his 11th studio album, set for release in March 2011 on Priority/EMI Records. "I have been in the game for so long and still have the same passion I did when I first started. I want my fans to ride with me on this one and know that I am so focused on bringing good music to them," explained the veteran MC. "It's called Doggumentary Music because this is my life and I want to share my music, and my process of making it, with the fans."

Recording

Rap-Up reported that Snoop Dogg has recorded with Wiz Khalifa on a track, titled “This Weed Iz Mine.” The smokers’ anthem is scheduled to appear on Snoop’s 11th studio album Doggumentary Music, along with the Scoop DeVille-produced lead single “New Year's Eve and with other songs including “Rollin’ in My Malibu,” “Oh Boy,” and collaborations with Lil Jon and Swizz Beatz. The rapper announced plans to work with Katy Perry again after the pair's number one single "California Gurls" stating, "We're trying to get together and do something on my new album...so [I'm] definitely in contact with her." Snoop told ''OK!'' magazine about Perry, "She's a sweet girl, and I had fun making the record with her. Like I said, I'm looking forward to her being on my record as well." Snoop Dogg also recorded with Damon Albarn from the animated hip hop group Gorillaz. The song is reportedly left over from the ''Plastic Beach'' sessions, in which Snoop collaborated on the track "Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach." Snoop said about the collaboration: "We did that record in London, England at their studio. The track made me wanna' sing & have fun & what not I don't give a f**k, it's like maybe I can smoke witchu' maybe I can't, you know what I'm saying?" Snoop Dogg revealed to MTV that he was looking to get a Britney Spears duet for the album. On November 27, 2010 Snoop Dogg was in the studio with producer David Banner who produced two beats for him.

On December 8, 2010, Snoop Dogg reported to ''Complex'' magazine that featured artists will include Kanye West, John Legend, Daz Dillinger, Kokane, Too Short, Ne-Yo, Bootsy Collins, Marty James, Pilot, Wiz Khalifa, Gorillaz, Trey Songz, and LaToiya Williams with production on the album from Jake One, Kanye West, Fredwreck, the Cataracs, Scoop DeVille, J-Kwon, Gorillaz, Denaun Porter, Warryn Campbell, David Banner, Meech Wells, Black Mob, Trylogy, and Rick Rude.

However, on February 9, 2011, EMI released a poster that announced some of the guest, which included Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, Gorillaz, R. Kelly, T-Pain, Young Jeezy, E-40, and more. The producers include Kanye West, Lex Luger, Scott Storch, the Cataracs, Battlecat, Fredwreck, and more.

Release and promotion

Snoop Dogg announced via Twitter that he would be joining the ranks of emcees Kanye West, Timbaland, Crooked I, and the many prior who released weekly songs in preparation for upcoming projects. Dubbed "Puff Puff Pass Tuesdays," Snoop plans to release a new song each week starting January 11, 2011, until the release of his album.

Singles

"New Year's Eve" was the first official promotional single released from ''Doggumentary'', it was released on November 5, 2010, on the iTunes store. The track peaked on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs at number 66. The song features American singer-songwriter Marty James and is produced by Scoop DeVille, producer of Snoop's 2009 single "I Wanna Rock". It did not however make the final cut of the album.

"Wet" the first official lead single from the album. The song was recorded specifically for Prince William's bachelor's party. Snoop's spokespeople bill the song as a sequel to 2007's "Sexual Eruption." Produced by the Cataracs of Far East Movement fame, Snoop spoke of the gift “When I heard the royal family wanted to have me perform in celebration of Prince William’s marriage, I knew I had to give them a little something." He continued, “’Wet’ is the perfect anthem for Prince William or any playa to get the club smokin’." The song was released on iTunes on December 17, 2010. The edited version, entitled "Sweat" will be released to US urban radio stations on January 11, 2011. The single entered the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs at number 57, it charted at number 25 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. The official remix, featuring Jim Jones and Shawty Lo, was released on February 8, 2011 as a part of Snoop Dogg's ''Puff Puff Pass Tuesdays'' giveaway.

"Gangbang Rookie" was the second official promotional single from the album. The track features rapper Pilot and was released to the iTunes Store on January 14, 2011. The single was produced by Jake One.

"Platinum" was the third official promotional single from the album. The track features singer R. Kelly and was released to the iTunes Store on February 22, 2011. The single was produced by Lex Luger. Snoop Dogg revealed to MTV about the collaboration "I think me and Kells understand who we are and what we do to make each other better," Snoop said. "He has a deep love for music, and sometimes he goes over the head of the people that's listening just like myself, because we're too in-depth with music. We don't just listen to our genre. We find ourselves enjoying all walks of music." The song, however, almost didn't make the final cut, as Snoop had finished up recording the album. Snoop's friend previewed the Lex Luger track for the rapper, which impressed him enough to jot down a few bars. After sending his sketch to Kelly, the crooner replied with his own rough demo, leading the pair to finally complete the record.

"Boom" featuring singer T-Pain is the second official lead single from the album. Produced by Scott Storch the song features samples from 1980's hit Situation by Yazoo. The song was released in the iTunes Store on March 8, 2011, with the video set for release that same day. The single entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 76.

Snoop Dogg has filmed seven more music videos for the album. The seven include one with guest rappers E-40 and Young Jeezy for "My F**kin' House", a video with singer/producer Mr. Porter, the producer and featured artist for the song "My Own Way", one with rapper Pilot for "Gangbang Rookie", another with rapper Wiz Khalifa for "This Weed Iz Mine", one for "El Lay" featuring Marty James, an animated video for "Take U Home", featuring Too Short, Kokane, and Daz Dillinger, and a video for Snoop's song "The Way Life Used to Be".

Reception

The album debuted at number eight on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart, with first-week sales of 50,000 copies in the United States. It also entered at number two on ''Billboard'''s Top Rap Albums and number four on Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums. In its second week, it dropped to number thirty five on the Billboard 200. As of May 20, 2011, ''Doggumentary'' has sold 80000 copies in the US.

''Doggumentary'' received mixed reviews from most music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 58, based on 15 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews". Rave Magazine gave it two-and-a-half stars.

Track listing

The track listing was confirmed by Amazon.com. Writers and samples by physical version liner notes. (co.) Co-producer (add.) Additional production

;Sample credits

"Toyz N Da Hood" contains samples of "(Not Just) Knee Deep", written by George Clinton and Philippé Wynne.

"The Way Life Used to Be" contains samples of "Why You Treat Me So Bad" written by Jay King, Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster and performed by Club Nouveau; "Bad Boy (Having a Party)" written by Sam Cooke, Luther Vandross and Marcus Miller; "Reflections" written by Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland, and performed by The Supremes; and features excerpts of "The Way Life Used to Be" performed by Luther Vandross

"Wonder What It Do" contains interpolations of "Oh Honey" written by Ken Gold and Michael Lawrence Denne; "Lowdown written by David Paich and William Scaggs and performed by Boz Scaggs; and "Heart Beat" written by Kenton Nix.

"Peer Pressure" contains interpolations of "Street Life" written by Will Jennings and Leslie Sample.

"Boom" contains interpolations of "Situation" written by Geneviève Alison Jane Moyet and Vincent John Martin, and performed by Yazoo.

"We Rest N Cali" contains samples of "Heartbreaker" written by Larry Troutman and Roger Troutman, and performed by Zapp.

"This Weed Iz Mine" contains samples of "This Beat Is Mine" written by Andre Booth, and performed by Vicky D.

"Eyez Closed" contains samples of "Money (Dollar Bill Y'all)", written by James Bromley Spicer and Russell Simmons, and performed by Jimmy Spicer.

"Raised In da Hood" contains samples of "Pistol Grip Bump" written by Eric & Nick Vidal, Dino D. Hawkins and Roger Troutman, and performed by Volume 10.

"Cold Game" contains samples and excerpts of "Gilly Hines (In Memory of Natalie Cerame)" written by Claude B. Cave, Carlos D. Wilson, Louis W. Wilson, Ricardo A. Wilson, and performed by Mandrill.

Personnel

Credits for ''Doggumentary'' adapted from Allmusic.

Musicians

Bad Lucc – vocals

Calvin Broadus – composer

Stephen Bruner – bass

Antone "Chooky" Caldwell – bass

George Clinton – composer

Sam Cooke – composer

Matthew Desantis, Jr. – vocals

Dev – vocals

DJ Pooh – vocals

Lamont Dozier – composer

Mamie Gunn – vocals

Will Hamm – vocals

Brian Holland – composer

Eddie Holland – composer

R. Kelly – composer

Belinda Lipscomb – vocals

Mickey Raphael – harmonica

Amber Sibbett – vocals

Larry Troutman – composer

Roger Troutman – composer

Luther Vandross – composer

Kayla Waggoner – vocals

LaToiya Williams – vocals

Production

Deegan Mack Adams – engineer

Tony Allen – drums

David Banner – producer

Dave Benck – assistant engineer

Jeff Bhasker – keyboards

Big Jerm – engineer

Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell – producer

The Cataracs – producer

Mike Chav – engineer

Ted Chung – engineer

Bootsy Collins – drums, engineer, vocal arrangement

Todd Cooper – engineer

Devin Copeland – engineer

Jason Cox – engineer

Armond "Bamm" Davis – keyboards

Andrew Dawson – engineer

Daz – engineer

Mike Dean – engineer, mixing

Hector Delgado – engineer

Scoop DeVille – producer

DJ Battlecat – keyboards, mixing, percussion, producer, sound effects, talk box

DJ Khalil – producer

DJ Quik – mixing

DJ Reflex – producer

Toby Donohue – engineer

Abel Garibaldi – engineer

Noah Goldstein – engineer

Gordon Groothedde – engineer

Gorillaz – producer

Richard Huredia – mixing

Chris Jackson – mixing

Tony "56" Jackson – keyboards

Jake One – producer

Danny Keyz – keyboards

Anthony Kilhoffer – engineer

Aaron "Lefty" Kimmerer – engineer

Dennis Krinjen – assistant engineer

Shon Lawon – engineer

Sven Lens – engineer

Ari Levine – mixing

Lexus "Lex Luger" Lewis – producer

David "Dizmix" Lopez – engineer

Fabian Marasciullo – mixing

Travis "Shaggy" Marshall – engineer

Kenny McCloud – mixing

Ian Mereness – engineer

Alex Merzin – mixing

Morris Mingo – keyboards

Mr. Porter – mixing, producer

"Fredwreck" Farid Nassar – guitar, keyboards, mixing, moog synthesizer, producer

Willie Nelson – guitar

Matt Price – engineer

Khalil Abdul Rahman – drum programming, engineer, keyboards

Erik "Mr. E." Ramos – engineer

Erik Reichers – mixing

James Reynolds – mixing

Rick Rock – mixing, producer

Rick Rude – engineer, producer

Jason Schweitzer – mixing

Stephen Sedgwick – engineer

Snoop Dogg – executive producer

Nico Solis – engineer

Soopafly – mixing

Scott Storch – producer

THX – producer

Truck Turner – engineer

Javier Valverde – engineer

Roel Verberk – engineer

Vic Wainstein – engineer

Meech Wells – producer

Soul Mechanix – producer

Kanye West – composer, producer

Zoe A. Young – production coordinator

Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – Mastering Engineer

Chart positions

Chart	Peakposition
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UK Albums Chart
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References

Category:Snoop Dogg albums Category:Albums produced by Swizz Beatz Category:Priority Records albums Category:Albums produced by David Banner Category:Albums produced by Mike Dean Category:Albums produced by Jake One Category:Albums produced by Denaun Porter Category:Albums produced by Kanye West Category:Albums produced by Lex Luger

fr:Doggumentary hr:Doggumentary it:Doggumentary he:Doggumentary ka:Doggumentary pl:Doggumentary pt:Doggumentary ru:Doggumentary fi:Doggumentary tr:Doggumentary

Coordinates	51°56′36″N6°27′34 }}″N
Name	Snoop Dogg
Birth name	Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr.
Birth date	October 20, 1971
Origin	Long Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation	Rapper
Religion	Islam
Genre	Hip hop
Years active	1991–present
Label	Death Row (1992-1997)No Limit (1998-2001)Priority (1998-present), Star Trak (2004-2005) Geffen (2004-2008), Doggystyle (1999-present)
Associated acts	Tha Dogg Pound, Tha Eastsidaz, 213, Dr. Dre, Warren G, Nate Dogg, 2Pac, Ice Cube, Akon, 50 Cent, Eminem, Wiz Khalifa
Website
Background	solo_singer }}

Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. (born October 20, 1971), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg (formerly known as Snoop Doggy Dogg), is an American rapper, singer, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school. Shortly after graduation, he was arrested for cocaine possession and spent six months in Wayside County Jail. His music career began in 1992 after his release when he was discovered by Dr. Dre. He collaborated on several tracks on Dre's solo debut, ''The Chronic'' and on the titular theme song to the film ''Deep Cover''.

Snoop's debut album ''Doggystyle'', was released in 1993 under Death Row Records making a debut at No.1 on both the Billboard 200 and R&B; charts. Selling almost a million copies in the first week of its release, ''Doggystyle'' quickly became certified 4x platinum in 1994 and spawned several hit singles, including "What's My Name" and "Gin & Juice". In 1994, Snoop released a soundtrack on Death Row Records for the short film ''Murder Was The Case'', starring himself. In early 1996, Snoop Dogg was cleared of charges over his bodyguard's 1993 murder of Philip Woldemariam. His second album, late 1996's ''Tha Doggfather'', also debuted at No.1 on both charts with "Snoop's Upside Ya Head" as the lead single. The album sold only half as well, being certified double platinum in 1997.

''Tha Doggfather'' was his last release for Death Row before he signed with No Limit Records, where he recorded his next three albums. ''Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told'' in 1998, ''No Limit Top Dogg'' in 1999 (making it his last album of the 90s), and ''Tha Last Meal'' in 2000, which was his last No Limit Records album. Snoop then signed with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records in 2002, where he released his album ''Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss''. Then he signed with Geffen Records in 2004 for his next three albums ''R&G; (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece'', ''Tha Blue Carpet Treatment'', and ''Ego Trippin'''. ''Malice 'n Wonderland'' (2009) and ''Doggumentary'' (2011), his most recent release, were on Priority.

In addition to music, Snoop Dogg has starred in motion pictures and hosted several television shows: ''Doggy Fizzle Televizzle'', ''Snoop Dogg's Father Hood'' and ''Dogg After Dark''. He also coaches a youth football league and high school football team. He has run into many legal troubles, some of which caused him to be legally banned from the UK and Australia, although the UK ban was later reversed after a long legal battle. He is the cousin of Nate Dogg, Daz Dillinger, RBX and Lil' ½ Dead and the cousin of R&B; singers Brandy and Ray J. Starting September 2009, Snoop was hired by EMI as the chairman of a reactivated Priority Records.

Life and career

Early life

Named after his stepfather, Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Sr. (December 10, 1948 – November 9, 1985, Los Angeles), Calvin Broadus was born October 20, 1971 at the Los Altos Hospital in Long Beach, California, the second of three sons of Beverly Broadus (née Tate; born April 27, 1951, McComb, Mississippi). His father, Vernall Varnado (born December 13, 1949, Magnolia, Mississippi), was a Vietnam veteran, singer, and mail carrier who was said to be frequently absent from his life. Broadus' parents nicknamed him "Snoopy" as a child because of his appearance, but usually addressed him as Calvin at home. His mother and stepfather divorced in 1975. At an early age, Broadus began singing in Golgotha Trinity Baptist Church and playing piano; when he was in sixth grade, he began rapping. He attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, and was convicted for cocaine possession, serving six months at the Wayside County Jail.

As a teenager, Snoop Dogg frequently ran into trouble with the law. Snoop Dogg was a member of the Rollin' 20 Crips gang in the Eastside of Long Beach, although he stated in 1993 that he never joined a gang. Shortly after graduating from high school, he was arrested for possession of cocaine. Snoop Dogg's conviction caused him to be frequently in and out of prison for the first three years after he graduated from high school. Snoop, along with his cousins Nate Dogg and Lil' ½ Dead and friend Warren G, recorded home made tapes as a group called 213, named after the Long Beach area code at the time. One of his early solo freestyles over En Vogue's "Hold On" had made it to a mixtape which was heard by influential producer Dr. Dre, who phoned to invite him to an audition. Former N.W.A member The D.O.C. taught him how to structure his lyrics and separate the thematics into verses, hooks and chorus.

1992–93: ''Doggystyle''

When he began recording, Broadus took the stage name Snoop Doggy Dogg. Dr. Dre began working with Snoop Dogg, first on the theme song of the 1992 film ''Deep Cover'', and then on Dr. Dre's debut solo album ''The Chronic'' with the other members of his former starting group, Tha Dogg Pound. The huge success of Snoop Dogg's debut ''Doggystyle'' was partially because of this intense exposure.

To fuel the ascendance of West Coast G-funk hip hop, the singles "Who Am I (What's My Name)?" and "Gin and Juice" reached the top ten most-played songs in the United States, and the album stayed on the Billboard charts for several months. Gangsta rap became the center of arguments for censorship and labeling, with Snoop Dogg often used as an example of violent and misogynistic musicians. ''Doggystyle'', much like ''The Chronic'', featured a host of rappers signed to or affiliated with the Death Row label including Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Nate Dogg and others. ''Rolling Stone'' music critic Touré asserted that Snoop had a relatively soft vocal delivery compared to other rappers: "Snoop's vocal style is part of what distinguishes him: where many rappers scream, figuratively and literally, he speaks softly."

A short film about Snoop Dogg's murder trial called ''Murder Was The Case'', was released in 1994, along with an accompanying soundtrack. On July 6, 1995, Doggy Style Records, Inc., a record label founded by Snoop Dogg, was registered with the California Secretary of State as business entity number C1923139.

1996–97: ''Tha Doggfather''

After Snoop Dogg was acquitted of murder charges on February 20, 1996, he and the mother of his son and their kennel of 20 pit bulls moved into a home in the hills of Claremont, California and by August 1996 Doggy Style Records, a subsidiary of Death Row Records, signed The Gap Band's Charlie Wilson as one of the record label's first artists.

However, by the time Snoop Dogg's second album, ''Tha Doggfather'', was released in November 1996, the price of living (or sometimes just imitating) the gangsta life had become very evident. Among the many notable hip hop industry deaths and convictions were the death of Snoop Dogg's friend and labelmate 2Pac and the racketeering indictment of Death Row co-founder Suge Knight. Dr. Dre had left Death Row earlier in 1996 because of a contract dispute, so Snoop Dogg co-produced ''Tha Doggfather'' with Daz Dillinger and DJ Pooh.

This album featured a distinct change of style as compared to ''Doggystyle'', and the leadoff single, "Snoop's Upside Ya Head", featured a collaboration with Gap Band frontman Charlie Wilson. While the album sold reasonably well, it was not as successful as its predecessor. However, ''Tha Doggfather'' had a somewhat softer approach to the G-funk style. The immediate aftermath of Dr. Dre's withdrawal from Death Row Records, realizing that he was subject to an iron-clad time-based contract (i.e., that Death Row practically owned anything he produced for a number of years), Snoop Dogg refused to produce any more tracks for Suge Knight, other than the insulting "Fuck Death Row", until his contract expired. In an interview with Neil Strauss in 1998, Snoop Dogg stated that though he had been given lavish gifts by his former label they had withheld royalty payments to the artist.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic said that after ''Tha Doggfather'', Snoop Dogg began "moving away from his gangsta roots toward a calmer lyrical aesthetic": for instance, Snoop participated in the 1997 Lollapalooza concert tour, which featured mainly alternative rock music. Troy J. Augusto of ''Variety'' noticed that Snoop's set at Lollapalooza attracted "much dancing, and, strangely, even a small mosh pit" in the audience.

1998–2000: ''No Limit'', ''Top Dogg'' and ''Tha Last Meal''

Snoop signed with Master P's No Limit Records (distributed by Priority/EMI Records) in 1998 and debuted on the label with ''Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told'' that year. His other albums from No Limit were ''No Limit Top Dogg'' in 1999 (selling over 1,503,865 copies) and ''Tha Last Meal'' in 2000 (selling over 1,000,000). In 2001, his autobiography, ''Tha Doggfather'', was published.

2002: ''Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$''

In 2002 he released the album ''Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$'', on Priority/Capitol/EMI Records, selling over 1,300,000 copies. The album featured the hit singles "From tha Chuuuch to da Palace" and "Beautiful", featuring guest vocals by Pharrell. By this stage in his career, Snoop Dogg had left behind his "gangster" image and embraced a "pimp" image.

2004–05: ''R&G; (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece''

In 2004, Snoop signed to Geffen Records/Star Trak Entertainment both of which are distributed through Interscope Records; Star Trak is headed by producer duo The Neptunes, which produced several tracks for Snoop's 2004 release ''R&G; (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece''. "Drop It Like It's Hot" (featuring Pharrell), the first single released from the album, was a hit and became Snoop Dogg's first single to reach number one. His third release was "Signs", featuring Justin Timberlake and Charlie Wilson, which entered the UK chart at #2. This was his highest entry ever in the UK chart. The album sold 1,724,000 copies in the U.S. alone, and most of its singles were heavily played on radio and television. Snoop Dogg joined Warren G and Nate Dogg to form the group 213 and released album ''The Hard Way'' in 2004. Debuting at No.4 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and No.1 on the Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums, it included single "Groupie Luv". Together with fellow rappers Lil' Jon, Xzibit and David Banner, Snoop Dogg appeared in the music video for Korn's "Twisted Transistor".

2006: ''Tha Blue Carpet Treatment''

Snoop Dogg's appeared on two tracks from Ice Cube's 2006 album ''Laugh Now, Cry Later'', including the single "Go to Church", and on several tracks on Tha Dogg Pound's ''Cali Iz Active'' the same year. Also, his latest song, "Real Talk", was leaked over the Internet in the summer of 2006 and a video was later released on the Internet. "Real Talk" was a dedication to former Crips leader Stanley "Tookie" Williams and a diss to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California. Two other singles on which Snoop made a guest performance were "Keep Bouncing" by Too $hort (also with will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas) and "Gangsta Walk" by Coolio.

Snoop's 2006 album, ''Tha Blue Carpet Treatment'', debuted on the Billboard 200 at No.5 and has sold over 850,000 copies. The album and the second single "That's That Shit" featuring R. Kelly were well received by critics. In the album, he collaborated in a video with E-40 and other West Coast rappers for his single "Candy (Drippin' Like Water)".

2007–08: ''Ego Trippin'''

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, which was "It's the D.O.G." On July 7, 2007, Snoop Dogg performed at the Live Earth concert, Hamburg. Snoop Dogg has ventured into singing for Bollywood with his first ever rap for an Indian movie ''Singh Is Kinng''; the title of the song is also "Singh is Kinng". He also appears in the movie as himself. The album featuring the song was released on June 8, 2008 on Junglee Music Records. He released his ninth studio album, ''Ego Trippin''' (selling 400,000 copies in the U.S.), along with the first single, "Sexual Eruption". The single peaked at No.7 on the Billboard 100, featuring Snoop using autotune. The album featured production from QDT (Quik-Dogg-Teddy).

2009–10: ''Malice n Wonderland'' and ''More Malice''

Snoop was appointed an executive position at Priority Records. His tenth studio album, ''Malice n Wonderland'', was released on December 8, 2009. The first single from the album, "Gangsta Luv", featuring The-Dream, peaked at No.35 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album debuted at No.23 on the Billboard 200, selling 61,000 copies its first week, making it his lowest charting album. His third single, "I Wanna Rock", peaked at No.41 on the Billboard Hot 100. Snoop features on the latest Gorillaz album, ''Plastic Beach''. The fourth single from ''Malice n Wonderland'', titled "Pronto", featuring Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, was released on iTunes on December 1, 2009. Snoop re-released the album under the name ''More Malice''.

2011–2012: ''Doggumentary''

Snoop collaborated with Katy Perry on the first single from her second mainstream album, "California Gurls", which was released on May 11, 2010. Snoop can also be heard on the track "Flashing" by Dr. Dre and on Curren$y's song "Seat Change". He was also featured on a new single from Australian singer Jessica Mauboy, titled "Get 'em Girls" (released September 2010). Snoop's latest effort was backing American recording artist, Emii, on her second single entitled "Mr. Romeo" (released October 26, 2010 as a follow-up to "Magic"). Snoop also collaborated with American comedy troupe The Lonely Island in their song "Turtleneck & Chain", in their 2011 album ''Turtleneck & Chain''.

Snoop Dogg's newest studio album is ''Doggumentary'', The album was renamed to ''Doggumentary'' and was released during March 2011. Snoop was featured on Gorillaz' latest album ''Plastic Beach'' on a track called: "Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach" with the The Hypnotic Brass, he also completed another track with them entitled "Sumthing Like This Night" which does not appear on ''Plastic Beach'', yet does appear on ''Doggumentary''. He also appears on the latest Tech N9ne album ''All 6's and 7's'' (released June 7, 2011) on a track called "Pornographic" which also features E-40 and Krizz Kaliko.

2012–present: ''Reincarnated''

On February 4, 2012, Snoop Dogg announced a new documentary alongside his new upcoming studio album entitled ''Reincarnated''. Snoop Dogg is set to headline the Osheaga Festival in Montreal, Canada this summer.

Other ventures

Media appearances

Snoop Dogg has appeared on television and in films throughout his career. In 1998, Snoop had a cameo appearance in the film ''Half Baked'' as the "Scavenger Smoker". In 2000, Snoop (as "Michael J. Corleone") directed ''Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle'', a pornographic film produced by Hustler. The film, combining hip hop with x-rated material, was a huge success and won "Top Selling Release of the Year" at the 2002 AVN Awards. Snoop then directed ''Snoop Dogg's Hustlaz: Diary of a Pimp'' in 2002 (using the nickname "Snoop Scorsese").

In 2001, Snoop lent his voice to the animated show ''King of the Hill'', in which he played a white pimp named Alabaster Jones. He played a lead character in the movie ''The Wash'' with Dr. Dre. He portrayed a drug dealer in a wheelchair in the film ''Training Day'', featuring Denzel Washington. In 2001, Snoop starred in the horror film ''Bones'', with him playing a murdered mobster who returns from the dead to exact his revenge against those who murdered him.

In 2002, Snoop hosted, starred in, and produced his own MTV sketch comedy show entitled Doggy Fizzle Televizzle. Snoop was filmed for a brief cameo appearance in the television movie ''It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie'' (2002), but his performance was omitted from the final cut of the movie. On November 8, 2004, Snoop Dogg was starred in the episode "Two of a Kind" of NBC's series ''Las Vegas''.

In 2004, Snoop appeared on the Showtime series ''The L Word'' as the character "Slim Daddy". He also notably played the drug dealer-turned-informant character of Huggy Bear, in the 2004 remake film of the 1970s TV-series of the same name, ''Starsky & Hutch''. He appeared as himself in the episode "MILF Money" of ''Weeds'', and made an appearance on the TV shows ''Entourage'' and ''Monk'', for which he recorded a version of the theme, in July 2007.

Snoop founded his own production company, Snoopadelic Films, in 2005. Their debut film was ''Boss'n Up'', a film inspired by Snoop Dogg's album ''R&G;'', starring Lil Jon and Trina.

In December 2007, his reality show ''Snoop Dogg's Father Hood'' premiered on the E! channel. Snoop Dogg joined the NBA's Entertainment League. On March 30, 2008 he appeared at WrestleMania XXIV as a ''Master of Ceremonies'' for a tag team match between Maria and Ashley Massaro as they took on Beth Phoenix and Melina.

On May 8 and May 9, 2008, Snoop appeared as himself on the ABC soap opera ''One Life to Live'', with a new opening theme recorded by the artist presented for both episodes. In the episodes, Snoop performs at the bachelorette party for character Adriana Cramer, and credits Bo Buchanan with helping him get his start in show business. On February 24, 2010, Snoop Dogg reprised his role, performing his song "I Wanna Rock" from his new album, ''Malice n Wonderland'', as well as once again performing a special remixed, vocal rendition of the show's opening theme. In recent interviews he has explained that, as a child, ''One Life to Live'' was one of his favorite shows, and he still regards the show fondly. He has also stated that he has always been a particular fan of Robert S. Woods, who has portrayed the character of Bo Buchanan since 1979.

In 2009, Snoop Dogg appeared in Sacha Baron Cohen's film ''Brüno'' as himself performing a rap addition to the song "Dove Of Peace". On October 19, 2009, Snoop Dogg was the guest host of ''WWE Raw''.

In July 2009, Snoop revealed his desire to appear in the popular soap opera Coronation Street while touring in the UK. However ITV bosses were said to be less keen.

In 2010, Snoop Dogg appeared in an episode of I Get That a Lot on CBS as a parking-lot attendant.

In June 2010, Snoop created a music video for True Blood accompanying a song he wrote for one of the main characters of the show entitled "Oh Sookie."

In March 2011, Snoop participated in Comedy Central's Roast of Donald Trump with other comedians and media personalities.

January 2, 2012, appeared on the The Price Is Right and raised $72,000 for his charity, Snoop Youth Football League.

Endorsements

St. Ides

Snoop Dogg 40 Oz Malt liquor

Adidas Originals

Boost Mobile cell phone

Chrysler 300

Colt 45 Blast

Metro PCS Samsung Galaxy 4G

Orbit Gum

Cal Worthington's Ford dealership in Long Beach, California

"Snoop Doggs" – foot-long hot dogs manufactured in Massachusetts, a joint venture with Platinum One Media

"Snoop Dogg Board Company (SDBC)" – skateboards and Luggage fabrication company (with Pentagon Distribution)

"Snooperbowl" and "Snoop Youth Football league"

"Chronic Candy" – candy that tastes like marijuana (from Switzerland and is currently banned in some cities of US)

''Love Don't Live Here No More, Doggy Tales Vol.1'' – love novel (co-written by David E. Talbert, published by Atria and Snoopadelic Films) ISBN 0-7432-7363-X ''Tha Doggfather : The Times, Trials, And Hardcore Truths Of Snoop Dogg'' – autobiography (published by William Morrow) Hardcover ISBN 0-688-17158-3, Paperback ISBN 0-06-107607-4

''Fear & Respect'' (project cancelled as of March 1, 2006) – PlayStation 2 video game (developed by Midway Games)

"Doggy Biscuitz" – shoe brand (in partnership with Pony International)

"Snoop Dogg Clothing" – streetwear (distributed at Macy's)

"WRFF" – unique design scooters (in cooperation with Salton, Inc.) "Hip Hop Gaming League" – a celebrity online gaming competition (hosted by Global Gaming League) "Snoop Dogg figures" (Vital Toys, SOTA Toys)

"Snoop Dogg Boxing" – mobile phone game (Sony Pictures Mobile)

"Snoop Dogg Pet Accessory Line" (in conjunction with Jakks Pacific) Snoop Dogg is a celebrity voice of a TomTom GPS navigation system. He stated on George Lopez's talk show Lopez Tonight that he is tired of hearing directions from the same woman. In August 2008, Snoop Dogg announced the launch of a new streetwear line called Rich & Infamous, via a partnership with Robert Thorne Co. The line was unveiled during the Magic Tradeshow in Las Vegas. "Hack is Wack" – Promoting Norton AntiVirus. "Coffee Cup With A Cause" with 7 Eleven. "Serious Pimp" clothing line. "iFizzle" iPhone Application. "Vybe Mobile" "Pepsi Max" – Zero Calories

Style and rap skills

Kool Moe Dee ranks Snoop at No.33 in his book ''There's a God on the Mic'', and says he has "an ultra-smooth, laidback delivery", and "flavor-filled melodic rhyming". Peter Shapiro describes Snoop's delivery as a "molasses drawl" and Allmusic notes his "drawled, laconic rhyming" style. Kool Moe Dee refers to Snoop's use of vocabulary, saying he "keeps it real simple...he simplifies it and he's effective in his simplicity".

Snoop is known to freestyle some of his lyrics on the spot for some songs – in the book ''How to Rap'', Lady of Rage says, "Snoop Dogg, when I worked with him earlier in his career, that's how created his stuff... he would freestyle, he wasn't a writer then, he was a freestyler," and The D.O.C. states, "Snoop's [rap] was a one take willy, but his shit was all freestyle. He hadn't written nothing down. He just came in and started busting. The song was "Tha Shiznit"—that was all freestyle. He started busting and when we got to the break, Dre cut the machine off, did the chorus and told Snoop to come back in. He did that throughout the record. That's when Snoop was in the zone then."

Peter Shapiro says that Snoop debuted on "Deep Cover" with a "shockingly original flow – which sounded like a Slick Rick born in South Carolina instead of South London" and adds that he "showed where his style came from by covering Slick Rick's 'La Di Da Di'". as well as 'linking with rhythm' in his compound rhymes, using alliteration, and employing a "sparse" flow with good use of pauses.

Snoop re-popularized the use of ''-izzle speak'', particularly in the pop and hip-hop music industry.

Personal life

Broadus's father left the family when Broadus was three months old. Snoop married his high school sweetheart, Shante Taylor, on June 12, 1997. On May 21, 2004, he filed for divorce from Shante, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple renewed their wedding vows on January 12, 2008. R&B; singers Brandy and Ray J are his first cousins. In 2002, the rapper announced he was giving up marijuana, one of his image trademarks, for good. According to his IMDb biography, Snoop is a fan of the thrash metal band Metallica and performed their song "Sad But True" on the band's 2003 MTV Icon Special which is available on YouTube. A DNA test read by George Lopez on ''Lopez Tonight'' revealed Snoop Dogg to be of 0% East Asian, 23% Native American, 6% European, and 71% African descent.

Snoop is an avid fan of hometown teams Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Snoop is also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. and is often seen wearing Pittsburgh Steelers apparel. Snoop has mentioned that his love for the Steelers began in the 1970s during the team's dynasty years while watching the team with his grandfather growing up in L.A. In the 2005 offseason, Snoop mentioned that he wanted to be an NFL head coach, "probably for the Steelers". The following year, he was in attendance for the Steelers' victory in Super Bowl XL and later in Super Bowl XLIII. He is also a fan of the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, often wearing a No.5 jersey, and has been seen at Raiders training camps. He did his own free style rap based on his similarities with Tony Romo. He is also a fan of the USC Trojans Football team. He has also shown affection for the New England Patriots, as he has been seen performing at the Gillette Stadium and picked the Patriots as the favorite to win Super Bowl XXXIX against the Eagles. On August 6, 2009, Snoop visited the training camp of the Baltimore Ravens at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He was invited by Ray Lewis the day after his concert at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

A certified football coach, Snoop Dogg has been head coach for his son's youth football teams and the John A. Rowland High School team.

Snoop Dogg is an avid hockey fan; he sported a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey (with the name and number 'GIN AND JUICE' 94 on the back) and a jersey of the now-defunct Springfield (MA) Indians of the American Hockey League in his 1994 music video, "Gin And Juice". On the E! show, ''Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood'', Snoop Dogg and his family received lessons on playing hockey from the Anaheim Ducks, then returning to the Honda Center to cheer on the Ducks against the Vancouver Canucks in the episode ''Snow in da Hood''.

In 2009, it was revealed that Snoop Dogg was a member of the Nation of Islam. On March 1, 2009, he made an appearance at the Nation of Islam's annual Saviours' Day holiday, where he praised minister Louis Farrakhan. Snoop claimed to be a member of the Nation of Islam, but he declined to give the date on which he joined. He also donated $1,000 to the organization.

Snoop claimed in a 2006 interview with ''Rolling Stone'' magazine that unlike other hip hop artists who've superficially adopted the pimp persona, he was an actual professional pimp in 2003 and 2004, saying "That shit was my natural calling and once I got involved with it, it became fun. It was like shootin' layups for me. I was makin' 'em every time." He goes on to say that upon the advice of some of the other pimps he knew, he eventually gave up pimping to spend more time with his family.

Legal issues

Shortly after graduating from high school, he was arrested for possession of cocaine.

While recording ''Doggystyle'' in August 1993, Snoop Dogg was arrested in connection with the death of Phillip Woldermarian, a member of a rival gang who was shot and killed by Snoop's bodyguard, McKinley Lee; Snoop was charged with murder along with Lee as he was driving the vehicle from which the shooting had commenced. Snoop and Lee were defended by Johnnie Cochran. Both Snoop and Lee were acquitted; Lee was acquitted on grounds of self-defense, but Snoop Dogg remained entangled in the legal battles around the case for three years.

In July 1993, Snoop was stopped for a traffic violation and a firearm was found by police while conducting a search of his car. In February 1997, he pleaded guilty to possession of a handgun and was ordered to record three public service announcements, pay a $1,000 fine, and serve three years' probation.

In May 1998, Snoop Dogg was fined and arrested for a misdemeanor of marijuana possession.

In October 2001, Snoop Dogg was arrested again for a misdemeanor of marijuana possession. In 2002 he pleaded no contest and was fined a total of $398.30 and received a suspended 30-day jail sentence.

Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, and The Game were sued for assaulting a fan on stage at a May 2005 concert at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, Washington. The accuser, Richard Monroe, Jr., claimed he was beaten by the artists' entourage while mounting the stage. He alleged that he reacted to an "open invite" to come on stage. Before he could, Snoop’s bodyguards grabbed him and he was beaten unconscious by crewmembers, including the rapper and producer Soopafly; Snoop and The Game were included in the suit for not intervening. The lawsuit focuses on a pecuniary claim of $22 million in punitive and compensatory damages, battery, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The concerned parties appeared in court in April 2009.

On April 26, 2006, Snoop Dogg and members of his entourage were arrested after being turned away from British Airways' first class lounge at Heathrow Airport. Snoop and his party were not allowed to enter the lounge because some of the entourage were flying first class, other members in economy class. After the group was escorted outside, they vandalized a duty-free shop by throwing whiskey bottles. Seven police officers were injured in the midst of the disturbance. After a night in jail, Snoop and the other men were released on bail on April 27, but he was unable to perform at the Premier Foods People's Concert in Johannesburg on the same day. As part of his bail conditions, he had to return to the police station in May. The group has been banned by British Airways for "the foreseeable future." When Snoop Dogg appeared at a London police station on May 11, he was cautioned for affray under Section 4 of the Public Order Act for use of threatening words or behavior. On May 15, the Home Office decided that Snoop Dogg should be denied entry to the United Kingdom for the foreseeable future due to the incident at Heathrow as well as his previous convictions in the United States for drugs and firearms offenses. Snoop Dogg's visa card was rejected by local authorities on March 24, 2007 because of the Heathrow incident. A concert at London's Wembley Arena on March 27 went ahead with Diddy (with whom he toured Europe) and the rest of the show. However the decision affected four more British performances in Cardiff, Manchester and Glasgow and Budapest (due to rescheduling). As of March 2010, Snoop Dogg has been allowed back into the UK.

On September 27, 2006, Snoop Dogg was detained at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California by airport security, after airport screeners found a collapsible police baton in Snoop's carry-on bag. The baton was confiscated but Snoop was allowed to board the flight. He has been charged with various weapons violations stemming from this incident. Donald Etra, Snoop's lawyer, told deputies the baton was a prop for a musical sketch. Snoop was sentenced to three years' probation and 160 hours of community service starting on September 20, 2007.

Snoop Dogg was arrested again on October 26, 2006 at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California while parked in a passenger loading zone. Approached by airport security for a traffic infraction, he was found in possession of marijuana and a firearm, according to a police statement. He was transported to Burbank Police Department Jail, booked, and released on $35,000 bond. He faced firearm and drug possession charges on December 12 at Burbank Superior Court.

He was again arrested on November 29, 2006, after performing on ''The Tonight Show'', for possession of marijuana and a firearm.

Snoop was arrested again on March 12, 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden after performing in a concert with P. Diddy in Stockholm's Globe Arena after he and a female companion reportedly "reeked" of marijuana. They were released four hours later after providing a urine sample. The results on urine determined whether charges would be pressed. However the rapper denied all charges.

On April 26, 2007, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship banned him from entering the country on character grounds, citing his prior criminal convictions. He had been scheduled to appear at the MTV Australia Video Music Awards on April 29, 2007. Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship lifted the ban in September 2008 and had granted him visa to tour Australia. DIAC said "In making this decision, the department weighed his criminal convictions against his previous behaviour while in Australia, recent conduct – including charity work – and any likely risk to the Australian community ... We took into account all relevant factors and, on balance, the department decided to grant the visa."

Snoop Dogg's many legal issues forced San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom to withdraw his plan to issue a proclamation to the rapper.

Snoop Dogg was banned from Parkpop, a festival in the Netherlands on June 27, 2010, where he was scheduled to perform. The mayor and law enforcement officials asked organizers of the festival to find an artist more “open and friendly” to play the event.

Snoop Dogg was arrested again on January 7, 2012 for possession of Marijuana charge after Border control agents discovered a small amount of marijuana on his tour bus. Snoop Dogg was stopped at the same Sierra Blanca, Texas, checkpoint on Saturday where country singer Willie Nelson was arrested for marijuana possession in 2010. The agents conducted a routine inspection of his tour bus at the U.S.- Mexico border checkpoint, east of El Paso, Texas and thought they smelled marijuana. Snoop Dogg was issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia, released and given a court date of Friday, January 20, 2012.

Discography

''Doggystyle'' (1993)

''Tha Doggfather'' (1996)

''Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told'' (1998)

''No Limit Top Dogg'' (1999)

''Tha Last Meal'' (2000)

''Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss'' (2002)

''R&G; (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece'' (2004)

''Tha Blue Carpet Treatment'' (2006)

''Ego Trippin''' (2008)

''Malice n Wonderland'' (2009)

''Doggumentary'' (2011)

''Reincarnated'' (2012)

Filmography

1994: ''Murder Was the Case'' (Platinum)

1998: ''Caught Up''

1998: ''Half Baked'' (cameo appearance)

1998: ''Da Game of Life''

1998: ''Hot Boyz''

1998: ''Ride''

1999: ''Whiteboyz''

1999: ''Urban Menace''

2000: ''Tha Eastsidaz''

2000: ''Up in Smoke Tour''

2001: ''Baby Boy''

2001: ''Training Day''

2001: ''King of the Hill'' (voice)

2001: ''Bones''

2001: ''The Wash''

2003: ''Malibu's Most Wanted''

2003: ''Old School''

2004: ''Starsky & Hutch''

2004: ''Soul Plane''

2004: ''Volcano High''

2005: ''Boss'n Up''

2005: ''Racing Stripes'' (voice)

2006: ''The Tenants''

2006: ''''Weeds'''': Himself

2006: ''Hood of Horror''

2007: ''Arthur and the Invisibles'' (voice)

2007: ''Monk''

* During the opening credits, he covered the title song by Randy Newman "It's a Jungle out There".

2007: ''The Boondocks''

2008: ''Singh Is Kinng'' (as Himself)

2008: ''Snoop Dogg's Father Hood'' (as Himself)

2009: ''Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder'' (voice)

2009: ''Dogg After Dark'': Himself

2009: ''Xavier: Renegade Angel'' (voice)

2009: ''Brüno'' (cameo appearance)

2009: ''Falling Up''

2010: ''Down for Life''

2010: ''One Life to Live'' as Calvin Broadus

2010: ''Straight Outta L.A.'' (as Himself)

2010: ''Freaknik: The Musical''

2010: ''Malice n Wonderland'' as Malice

2010: ''Big Time Christmas'' as Himself

2011: ''90210 (TV series)'' as Himself

2011: ''Roast of Donald Trump''

Awards

Snoop Dogg was also a judge for the 7th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.

Further reading

References

External links

Snoop Dogg at Geffen Records

Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:African American film actors Category:American rappers Category:American people of Native American descent Category:African American rappers Category:American cannabis activists Category:American film actors Category:American film producers Category:American hip hop record producers Category:American music industry executives Category:American music video directors Category:American pop musicians Category:American record producers Category:American television actors Category:American voice actors Category:Crips Category:Death Row Records artists Category:G-funk Category:Hip hop activists Category:Hip hop singers Category:Hip hop record producers Category:Members of the Nation of Islam Category:No Limit Records artists Category:Participants in American reality television series Category:People acquitted of murder Category:People convicted of drug offenses Category:People from Long Beach, California Category:People self-identifying as substance abusers Category:Priority Records artists Category:Pseudonymous rappers Category:Rappers from Los Angeles, California Category:West Coast hip hop musicians

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Coordinates	51°56′36″N6°27′34 }}″N
name	T-Pain
birth name	Faheem Rasheed Najm
born	September 30, 1985 Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
genre	R&B;, hip hop
occupation	Singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, dancer, actor
instrument	Keyboard, vocals
years active	2000–present
label	Konvict MuzikJiveNappy BoyYoung Money Entertainment
associated acts	Akon, Tay Dizm, DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne, Pitbull, Kanye West, Young Cash, Travis McCoy
website	}}

Faheem Rasheed Najm (born September 30, 1985), better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor. He began his career as a rapper in the group Nappy Headz. In 2005, he became a singer and released his debut album ''Rappa Ternt Sanga''. Throughout his career as a singer, T-Pain has extensively used the Auto-Tune pitch correction effect. Pain is currently signed with Young Money Entertainment but will leave Konvict Muzik after the release of ''RevolveR''.

Since the release of his debut album, T-Pain has produced numerous hits of his own and for other rappers and R&B; singers. In 2008, he won a Grammy with rapper Kanye West for the single "Good Life". In 2010, he won another Grammy with Jamie Foxx for the single "Blame It". T-Pain is also the founder of the record label Nappy Boy Entertainment, established in 2005.

Early life

Najm was born in Tallahassee, Florida on September 30, 1985. His stage name is short for "Tallahassee Pain" and was chosen because of the hardships he experienced while living there. He is a Muslim. At age ten, Najm turned his bedroom into a music studio, using a keyboard, a beat machine and a four-track recorder.

Career

2004–2006: Early career and ''Rappa Ternt Sanga''

T-Pain joined the rap group Nappy Headz in 2004 and later recorded "I'm Fucked Up", a cover version of Akon's single "Locked Up". Akon heard the song and immediately signed T-Pain to Konvict Muzik, his label. After being discovered, T-Pain began singing instead of rapping. T-Pain subsequently recorded and released his debut album, ''Rappa Ternt Sanga'', on December 6, 2005. The album reached number thirty-three on the Billboard 200, and has since been certified Gold by the RIAA, for reaching sales of 500,000 units.

The album was preceded by the lead single, "I'm Sprung", which was released in August 2005 and reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The second single, "I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)", featuring Mike Jones, was released in December 2005 and reached number five on the Hot 100 and number ten on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Talking with Hustler Magazine T-Pain said the inspiration behind "I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)" was "I took a friend of mine in Florida to a strip club. It was his first time. So I got ahold of one of the girls and gave her some money and told her to stay on him. And he fell in love with her! The next day we went to the studio, and I wrote the song." The third and final single from the album, "Studio Luv", was released in October 2006 but failed to chart.

2007–2008: ''Epiphany''

In mid-2006, T-Pain began work on his second album, now with the Zomba Label Group as well as Konvict Muzik and Jive Records.

T-Pain's second album ''Epiphany'', was released on June 5, 2007. The album sold 171,000 records in its first week, reaching number one on the Billboard 200. The record has since sold 819,000 records in the United States.

The album was preceded by the lead single "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" featuring Yung Joc in February 2007. The single reached number one on both the Hot 100 and Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming his first single to top charts. The album's second single, "Bartender", featuring Akon was released in June 2007 and reached number five on the Hot 100 and number nine on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The third and final single from the album, "Church", was released in October 2007 but failed to chart in the United States.

Speaking in May 2007 to noted UK R&B; writer Pete Lewis, of the award-winning Blues & Soul about his reason for naming his second album 'Epiphany', T-Pain stated: "One of the two dictionary meanings of epiphany is 'a sudden moment of insight or revelation'. And to me the title 'Epiphany' signifies the moment I realized that, to make the best music I can, I needed to just go in the studio and be myself, and not concentrate so hard on following other people's formulas."

While promoting his second album, T-Pain made guest appearances on multiple songs by other artists. T-Pain was featured on "I'm a Flirt" (remix) by R. Kelly with T.I., "Outta My System" by Bow Wow, "Baby Don't Go" by Fabolous, "I'm So Hood" by DJ Khaled with many other rappers, "Shawty" by Plies, "Kiss Kiss" by Chris Brown, "Low" by Flo Rida, and "Good Life" by Kanye West. In two weeks in late 2007, T-Pain was featured on four top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart

"Good Life" with Kanye West later won the BET Award for Best Collaboration and was nominated in several other categories. In 2008, the single won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song.

2007–2009: ''Thr33 Ringz''

In 2007, T-Pain began work on his third album with Rocco Valdes, Akon and Lil Wayne. The album was also his first under his Nappy Boy Entertainment.

T-Pain's third studio album, ''Thr33 Ringz'', was released on November 11, 2008. The album sold 168,000 records in its first week, reaching number four on the Billboard 200. A mixtape, ''Pr33 Ringz'', was released in early 2008 before the album.

The album was preceded by three singles. Its lead single, "Can't Believe It", featuring Lil Wayne, was released in July 2008. The single reached number seven on the Hot 100 and number two on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album's second single, "Chopped 'N' Skrewed", featuring Ludacris, was released in September 2008. The single reached number twenty-seven on the Hot 100 and number three on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The third and final single from the album, "Freeze", featuring Chris Brown, was released in October 2008 and reached number thirty-eight on the Hot 100 and number thirty-nine on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Guest appearances on ''Thr33 Ringz'' included T.I., Lil Wayne, Ludacris, DJ Khaled, Ciara, Chris Brown and Kanye West among others. ''Pr33 Ringz'' was the introduction mixtape for the album. In 2008, T-Pain continued to appear on numerous rap singles, such as "She Got It" by 2 Pistols, "Go Girl" by Ciara, "The Boss" by Rick Ross, "Cash Flow" by Ace Hood, "Shawty Get Loose" by Lil Mama, "One More Drink" by Ludacris, and "Go Hard" by DJ Khaled with Kanye West. T-Pain and Ludacris collaborated to perform "Chopped 'N' Skrewed" and "One More Drink" on American late-night television programs ''Jimmy Kimmel Live'' on ABC in November 2008 and on NBC's ''Saturday Night Live'' in the same month. T-Pain appeared again on ''SNL'' in February 2009 (on the episode hosted by Bradley Cooper with musical guest TV on the Radio) in the ''SNL'' Digital Short. T-Pain also supported the album in 2009 with his ''Thr33 Ringz Tour'', which included sold out shows across North America. T-Pain and rapper Lil Wayne formed the duo T-Wayne in 2008. The duo released a self-titled mixtape in late 2008; it charted on the Billboard 200 in January 2009. Their debut album was going to be released in 2009, but never was.

2009–present: ''RevolveR''

In May 2009, T-Pain made an appearance on a live-action episode of ''Aqua Teen Hunger Force'' as Frylock, where he made his debut as an actor. He collaborated with country-pop singer Taylor Swift for the CMT Music Awards, and performed "Thug Story", a parody of Swift's hit single "Love Story". In an interview with MTV, T-Pain announced that he would release his fourth studio album in November 2009 and that its title was ''UBER''. He stated that although he originally wanted to release the album in the summer of 2010, his label had pushed the release forward. Regardless of these announcements, the album wasn't released in 2009. An iPhone application called "I Am T-Pain" features an auto tuner, allowing fans to record and modify their own voice to accompany an instrumental collection of T-Pain's music. It was released in September 2009. In July 2009, T-Pain endorsed the 2009 T-Pain Killa Cam-Pain, a grassroots effort to help him become elected as president of Florida State University.

In November 2009, T-Pain released the first single from his fourth studio album, "Take Your Shirt Off". The single only managed to reach number eighty on the Hot 100, and was later dubbed a promotional single. Later, in February 2010, he released the official lead single from his fourth studio album, "Reverse Cowgirl", featuring Young Jeezy. He later release an updated version of the song excluding Young Jeezy's verse and adding a new bridge. The single reached number seventy-five on the Hot 100 and number sixty-four on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming a mild hit. The single has since been dubbed a promotional single. T-Pain was later featured on the "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" single in February 2010, which reached number two on the Hot 100. In the fall of 2009, T-Pain began work with Cartoon Network's Adult Swim to produce and star in a television animated musical special based on Freaknik. Freaknik: The Musical aired on March 7, 2010.

In June 2010, T-Pain confirmed that his fourth studio album ''RevolveR'' has been completed and mastered, but that it will not be released until album sales increase. He elaborated upon this in August 2010, stating that the album probably wouldn't be released until 2011. T-Pain's first feature film, ''Lottery Ticket'', was released on August 20, 2010. In October 2010, T-Pain release his third promotional single, Rap Song. The song charted poorly, peaking at 89 on the Hot 100.

T-Pain released a Nappy Boy mixtape called ''T-Pain Presents: Nappy Boy All Stars Vol.1'' which contained Nappy Boy remixes to "Every Girl", "All The Way Turnt Up" and "Forever". Later he announced a mixtape for his album ''rEVOLVEr'' called ''prEVOLVEr''. the mixtape released three songs, the first being "Hoes & Ladies" which featured Lil Wayne and Field Mob's Smoke. The other two songs released were contest songs. The contest songs where meant for anyone willing to get on the track and who ever lays down the best verse will feature on the track and the actual album. The first contest song was called "Motivated" which was a rap song and the second song was an R&B; song for the singer, called "Merry Christmas." B. Martin of Albany, NY won the competition and will be featured on the mixtape. "T-Mixes" were made, which are T-Pain's remixes to some 2010 hit songs. The released remixes were "No Hands", "Black & Yellow", "Loving You No More", "Make It Rain" and "Like a G6". Two out of the five T-Mixes were made into the official remixes. They were "Black & Yellow" by Wiz Khalifa and featured him with Snoop Dogg & Juicy J. The other T-Mix that was made into an official remix was "Loving You No More" by Dirty Money, which originally featured Drake, but the remix features T-Pain and rapper Gucci Mane.

T-Pain was featured on the hit single "All I Do Is Win" by DJ Khaled, along with the remix. He featured on Wisin & Yandel's single "Imaginate" & Bun B's single "Trillionaire." In the last two quarters of 2010, he was featured on hit singles like Pitbull's "Hey Baby (Drop It To The Floor)" and Nelly's "Move That Body." He was also featured on another single by Wisin & Yandel along with rapper 50 Cent called "No Dejemos Que Se Apague." The last two single's T-Pain were featured on in 2010 were the official Remixes to Black & Yellow by rapper Wiz Khalifa & Loving You No More.

T-Pain was featured on the first single by DJ Khaled called "Welcome To My Hood" off his new album ''We the Best Forever''. The song featured him along with Rick Ross, Plies, & Lil Wayne. He is also expected to be featured on albums such as Drake's ''Take Care,'' Lil Wayne's ''Tha Carter IV,'' Tech N9ne's ''All 6s and 7s'', and many more. A new toy called "iAm T-Pain Microphone" will make its way to stores everywhere in 2011, at the price of $39.99. T-Pain is featured on a single called Electroman which is by house artist Benny Benassi. In January, JRandall released a single, "Can't Sleep", featuring T-Pain. On March 22, 2011 the next single off ''RevolveR'' will be released titled "Best Love Song" and features American singer Chris Brown. On his Twitter he stated that he would release his prEVOLVEr mixtape when he gets 500,000 followers and release his album rEVOLVEr when he gets 1,000,000 followers.

Musical style

He has called his style of music "Hard & B". T-Pain uses Auto-Tune, a pitch-correcting audio processor, for his vocals. Music critic Andy Kellman compared T-Pain's singing style to that of Cher in her 1998 hit "Believe", in which Cher used voice enhancements. In response to Jay-Z's single "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)", T-Pain stated that he would still use the method. T-Pain's use of Auto-Tune has been cited as an influence on other urban artists' works, including Snoop Dogg's single "Sexual Eruption", Lil Wayne's single "Lollipop", and Kanye West's album ''808s & Heartbreak''. In November 2008, T-Pain demanded credit from other artists who used Auto-Tune.

Personal life

Family

T-Pain has been married to Amber since 2003. His song "I'm Sprung" is dedicated to her. They have three children: daughter Lyriq and sons Muziq and Kaydnz Kodah (born May 2009).

Legal issues

thumb|Mug shot of T-Pain taken in November 2007. He had two incidents of legal problems in 2007:

When he refused to cut his set short at Radio One's Spring Fest Concert in Miami on the evening of April 28, 2007, police presence escalated backstage. He became agitated after concert officials stopped his performance of "Buy You a Drink". Police chased T-Pain and his entourage out of the premises and detained them.

After a June 2007 concert of T-Pain's, Tallahassee police issued a warrant for his arrest over a suspended driver's license. T-Pain turned himself into the Leon County Jail on November 2, 2007.

Golf cart accident

On March 27, 2009, T-Pain was involved in a golf cart accident, the same day he was due for a music video shoot for Lil' Kim's Download song. He suffered cuts, bruises, and four missing teeth and had emergency dental work done. He returned to performing on March 29, 2009. The accident was later referenced in the music video of Glasses Malone's song "Sun Come Up" (which also featured T-Pain).

Discography

''Rappa Ternt Sanga'' (2005)

''Epiphany'' (2007)

''Thr33 Ringz'' (2008)

''RevolveR'' (2011)

Mixtape

''Pr33 Ringz'' (2008)

''PrEVOLVEr'' (2011)

Soundtracks

''Freaknik: The Musical Soundtrack'' (2010)

Filmography

''Freaknik: The Musical'' (2010)

''Lottery Ticket'' (2010)

Awards and nominations

American Music Awards

2007, Favorite Male Artist [Nominated].

BET Awards

*2009, Best Male R&B; Artist (Nominated)

*2009, Best Collaboration ("Blame It") with Jamie Foxx (Won)

*2009, Viewer's Choice ("Can't Believe It") with Lil Wayne (Nominated)

2008, Best Collaboration ("Kiss Kiss") with Chris Brown (Nominated)

2008, Best Collaboration ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)

2008, Viewer's Choice ("Kiss Kiss") with Chris Brown (Nominated)

2008, Best Collaboration ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Won)

2008, Video of the Year ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Nominated)

BET Hip Hop Awards

*2009. Producer of the Year (Nominated)

*2008, Best Ringtone ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)

*2008, Best Hip-Hop Video ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Won)

*2008, Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)

*2008, Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Nominated)

*2008, Track of the Year ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Nominated)

BMI Urban Awards

* Song Writer Of The Year (Won)

* Producer Of The Year shared with J.R. Rotem & Kanye West (Won)

Grammy Awards

*2010, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("I'm on a Boat") with The Lonely Island [Nominated]

*2010, Best R&B; Performance by a Duo or a Group ("Blame It") with Jamie Foxx [Won]

*2010, Best R&B; Song ("Blame It") with Jamie Foxx [Nominated]

*2010, Best Contemporary Album ''Thr33 Ringz'' [Nominated]

*2009, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Got Money") with Lil Wayne (Nominated)

*2009, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)

*2009, Best Rap Song ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)

*2008, Best R&B; Performance by a Duo or Group ("Bartender") with Akon (Nominated)

*2008, Best Rap/Sung Rap Song ("Good Life") With Kanye West (Nominated)

*2008, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Kiss Kiss") with Chris Brown (Nominated)

2008, Best Rap Song ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Won)

Ozone Music Awards

*2008, TJ's DJ's Hustler of the Year (Nominated)

*2008, Club Banger of the Year ("I'm So Hood") with DJ Khaled, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, & Plies (Nominated)

*2008, Club Banger of the Year ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)

*2008, Best Rap/R&B; Collaboration ("She Got It") with 2 Pistols & Tay Dizm (Nominated)

*2008, Best R&B; Artist (Nominated)

*2008, Best TJ's DJ's Tastemaker Award (Won)

*2007, Best Male R&B; Artist (Won)

*2007, Best Rap/R&B; Collaboration ("Shawty") with Plies (Won)

*2007: Best Rap/R&B; Collaboration ("Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')") with Yung Joc (Nominated)

*2006, Best Rap/R&B; Collaboration ("I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper) (Remix)" with Twista, Pimp C, Paul Wall, R. Kelly, MJG, and Too Short) (Won)

MTV Video Music Award

*2008, Best Hip-Hop Video ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)

*2008, Best Male Video ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)

*2007, Monster Single of the Year ("Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin)"), featuring Yung Joc (Nominated)

People's Choice Awards

*2008, Favorite Hip-Hop Song, "Low" with Flo Rida [Won]

*2008, Favorite Hip-Hop Song, "Good Life" with Kanye West [Nominated]

Teen Choice Awards

*2008, Choice Hook-Up: Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain, "Low" (Nominated)

*2008, Choice Music: R&B; Artist – T-Pain (Nominated)

*2008, Choice Music: Rap/Hip-Hop Track – Lil Mama featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain, "Shawty Get Loose" (Won)

Vibe Awards

*2007, Best R&B; Artist (Nominated)

*2007, Best Collaboration ("Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin)") with Yung Joc (Nominated)

*2007, Song of the Year ("Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin)") with Yung Joc (Won)

References

External links

Official website

Nappy Boy Records

Strip Club Etiquette: T'Pain's Guide Hustler Magazine

Category:1985 births Category:African American singers Category:American hip hop record producers Category:American male singers Category:American record producers Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:African American Muslims Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Hip hop singers Category:Jive Records artists Category:Living people Category:People from Tallahassee, Florida Category:Rappers from Florida

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Coordinates	51°56′36″N6°27′34 }}″N
Name	DJ Khalil
Background	non_performing_personnel
Birth name	Khalil Abdul-Rahman
Alias	DJ Khalil, Khalil
Origin	Los Angeles
Instrument	Keyboard, Sampler
Genre	Hip hop, soul
Occupation	Record Producer, Musician, singer, rapper
Years active	1997 - present
Label	Angeles Records/Self Scientific/Aftermath Entertainment
Associated acts	Self Scientific, Kobe, The New Royales, 50 Cent, Game, Eminem
Website	}}

Khalil Abdul-Rahman, better known by his stage name DJ Khalil, is a Los Angeles based American hip hop/soul record producer, and is the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Self Scientific, together with rapper Chace Infinite. He is perhaps best known for his production work on rapper Eminem's 2010 album ''Recovery'', producing four tracks.

He is the third born son of former UCLA player and coach and NBA player Walt Hazzard.

Production

References

Category:Living people Category:African-American people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Aftermath Entertainment artists Category:American hip hop record producers Category:American Muslims Category:African American Muslims

de:DJ Khalil fr:DJ Khalil pt:DJ Khalil tr:DJ Khalil

Coordinates	51°56′36″N6°27′34 }}″N
birth date	March 11, 1953
birth place	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
occupation	Record producer
yearsactive	1973–present
url	Jimmy Iovine }}

James "Jimmy" Iovine (last name pronounced ''Eye-Veen''; born March 11, 1953) is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M;.

Biography

Born in Brooklyn, Iovine began his career as a recording engineer in the mid-1970s, working with Raspberries, John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen. He went on to produce albums for U2 (''Rattle & Hum''), Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Stevie Nicks, Simple Minds, Dire Straits, Flame (featuring Marge Raymond, Jimmy Crespo, Bob Leone, and others), and Patti Smith. Iovine established Interscope Records in 1991 with the release of Gerardo's Mo' Ritmo. It went on to become Interscope-Geffen-A&M; following Universal's acquisition of PolyGram when Iovine was named co-chairman; in 2001, he became chairman.

He is credited with having given Eminem's demo tape to Dr. Dre, who signed him to his Aftermath label. In 2002, Iovine co-produced the hit Eminem movie ''8 Mile'' and in 2004, he and Paul Rosenberg signed a first look deal with Paramount Pictures and MTV Films for their Interscope/Shady/Aftermath banner. Iovine co-produced the first film under the deal, ''Get Rich or Die Tryin''', starring 50 Cent. In 2003, he was co-executive producer of Enrique Iglesias's album ''Seven''. In January 2008, Iovine, Dr. Dre and Monster Cable released Beats by Dr. Dre high-performance headphones. Iovine is also an executive producer with LeBron James and Maverick Carter of the documentary ''More Than A Game'', which was released in the fall of 2009.

Lady Gaga has thanked him several times during her acceptance speeches, as he was the one to sign her to Streamline/Interscope shortly after her 2007 performance at Lollapalooza. Eminem also has mentioned him several times during his acceptance speeches.

Bruce Springsteen's song Ain't Good Enough For You referenced Iovine: "And babe I tried to make the latest scene, Hip and cool, just like Jimmy Iovine."

Work outside Interscope

He was formerly married to writer and former model Vicki Iovine, author of ''The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy,'' and has four children. He owns the Beats By Dr. Dre brand with Dr. Dre under exclusive license to Monster Cable Products. Jimmy Iovine was also involved in a romantic relationship with Stevie Nicks. He has been a 'mentor' on American Idol season 10.

References

External links

Interview with Artists House Music

Interscope Records

Biography at www.fleetwoodmac.net

Category:1953 births Category:American music industry executives Category:American record producers Category:Living people Category:People from Brooklyn

da:Jimmy Iovine de:Jimmy Iovine fr:Jimmy Iovine id:Jimmy Iovine it:Jimmy Iovine nl:Jimmy Iovine pl:Jimmy Iovine pt:Jimmy Iovine tr:Jimmy Iovine