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Biography for Snoop Dogg

Cordazar Calvin Broadus (born Oct. 20, 1971 (39 years ago)), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is a Grammy Award-nominated 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. He popularized the catch phrase suffix "-izzle," a slang term or infix that had been in use for decades, but not nearly to the extent that it currently permeates the pop and hip hop music industry as well as general usage.

Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school; shortly after graduation, he was arrested for cocaine possession and sentenced to three years in prison, then began his music career in 1992 (18 years ago) after his release. He was discovered by Dr. Dre and collaborated on several tracks on Dre's solo debut, The Chronic and on the titular theme song to the movie Deep Cover. Snoop's debut album, Doggystyle, was released in 1993 (17 years ago) under Death Row Records. Doggystyle went quadruple platinum and spawned several hit singles "What's My Name" and "Gin & Juice."

In 1996 (14 years ago), Snoop Dogg was cleared of charges over his bodyguard's 1993 (17 years ago) murder of Phillip Woldemariam. His second album, 1996's Tha Doggfather, was his last release for Death Row before he signed with No Limit Records, with whom he recorded three albums from 1998 (12 years ago) to 2001 (9 years ago). Snoop then joined Capitol Records in 2002 (8 years ago) for his album Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss, and then to Geffen Records in 2004 (6 years ago) for his next three albums. He also joined forces with his cousin Nate Dogg and rapper Warren G as the supergroup 213 for an album in 2004 (6 years ago).

In addition to music, Snoop Dogg has also starred in motion pictures (wallpaper) 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. Snoop Dogg has also run into many legal troubles, some of which caused him to be legally banned from the UK and Australia. He is the cousin of rappers Nate Dogg, Daz Dillinger, RBX and Lil' Half Dead and the cousin of R&B singers Brandy and Ray J.

Early life

Calvin Broadus was born at the Los Altos Hospital in Long Beach, California, the second of three sons born to Beverly Broadus. His father, Vernall Varnado, was a Vietnam veteran, singer, and mail carrier who Calvin says was frequently absent from his life. Calvin's parents nicknamed him "Snoopy" as a child because of his appearance and usually referred to him as Calvin at home. At an early age, Calvin 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, then transferred to Jordan High School, and was convicted for cocaine trafficking and served six months at the Wayside County Jail. Snoop Dogg was a member of the Rollin' 20 Crips gang in the Eastside of Long Beach. Snoop Dogg's conviction caused him to be 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 Half 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.

Personal life

Broadus's father left the family when Broadus was 3 months old. Snoop married his high school sweetheart, Shante Taylor, on Jun. 12, 1997 (13 years ago). On May 21, 2004 (6 years ago), he filed for divorce from Shante, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple renewed their wedding vows on Jan. 12, 2008 (2 years ago). R&B singer Brandy is his first cousin. In 2002 (8 years ago), the rapper announced he was giving up marijuana, one of his image (wallpaper) trademarks, for good , though this did not last long.

Snoop is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, which is mainly due to his affiliation to the 'Rollin 20's Crips' who also sport the Pittsburgh jersey as their neighborhood emblem, and is often seen wearing Pittsburgh Steelers apparel in his music videos. One of his sons had played for a Pittsburgh Steelers team for kids. Snoop has mentioned that his love for the Steelers began in the 1970 (40 years ago) during the team's dynasty years while watching the team with his grandfather growing up in L.A. In the 2005 (5 years ago) 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 was also somewhat a fan of the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, often wearing a #5 jersey, and has been seen in Raiders training camps. He did his own free style rap based on his similarities with Tony Romo. He has also shown some 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 Aug. 6, 2009 (last year), 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 has shown he is an avid hockey fan by sporting a Pittsburgh Penguins (9 walls) 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 (16 years ago) music video, "Gin And Juice". Also the E! show,“Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood", featured Snoop Dogg and his family receiving lessons on playing hockey from the NHL Anaheim Ducks, then returning to the Honda Center (Home of the Anaheim Ducks) to cheer on the Ducks against the Vancouver Canucks in the episode, “Snow in da Hood”.

In Aug. 2008 (2 years ago), Snoop Dogg announced the launch of a new streetwear line called Rich & Infamous, via a partnership with Robert Thorne Co. The line, which is aimed toward males ages 18 to 35, was unveiled during the Magic tradeshow in Las Vegas.

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

Career

Music career

Death Row Records years (1992-97)
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 (18 years ago) movie 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 due to this intense exposure.

To fuel the ascendance of West Coast "G-funk" rap, 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. His video "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" with 2Pac chronicled the difficulties each rapper was dealing with as a result of their unrelated but concurrent criminal prosecutions. 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 movie about Snoop Dogg's murder trial called Murder Was The Case, was released in 1994 (16 years ago), along with an accompanying soundtrack. However, by the time Snoop Dogg's second album, Tha Doggfather, was released in Nov. 1996 (14 years ago), the price of living (or sometimes just imitating) the "gangsta" life had become very evident. Among the many notable rap 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 (14 years ago) due to 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, and it was widely believed that its quality suffered from Dr. Dre's lack of involvement. 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.

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 (13 years ago) 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.

No Limit and Capitol years (1998–2003)
Snoop signed to Master P's No Limit Records in 1998 (12 years ago) and debuted on the label with Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told that year. His other albums under No Limit were No Limit Top Dogg in 1999 (11 years ago) and Tha Last Meal in 2000 (10 years ago). In 2001 (9 years ago), his autobiography, Tha Doggfather, was published.

In 2002 (8 years ago) he released the album Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$, on Capitol Records which featured the hit singles and videos "From tha Chuuuch to da Palace" and "Beautiful" featuring guest vocals by Pharrell.

Geffen Years (2004–present)
In 2004 (6 years ago), Snoop signed to Geffen Records/Star Trak Entertainment both of which are distributed through Interscope Records; Star Trak is headed by the Neptunes, who produced several tracks for Snoop's 2004 (6 years ago) 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 (9 walls) & Charlie Wilson, which entered the UK chart at #2. This was his highest entry ever in the UK chart. The album sold very well, 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 (6 years ago). Debuting at #4 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, it included single "Groupie Luv".

Snoop Dogg's appeared on two tracks from Ice Cube's 2006 (4 years ago) 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 (4 years ago) and a video was later released on the Internet. "Real Talk" was a dedication to Tookie Williams and a diss to Arnold Schwarzenegger. 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.

Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, Snoop's album for 2006 (4 years ago), debuted on the Billboard 200 at #5. 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)".

In Jul. 2007 (3 years ago), 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.". On Jul. 7 2007 (3 years ago) Snoop Dogg performed at the Live Earth concert, Hamburg.

Snoop Dogg has recently 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. The album featuring the song was released on Jun. 8, 2008 (2 years ago) on Junglee Music Records.

Filmography

• 1994 (16 years ago): Murder Was the Case (Platinum)
• 1998 (12 years ago): Caught Up
• 1998 (12 years ago): Half Baked (cameo appearance)
• 1998 (12 years ago): Da Game of Life
• 1998 (12 years ago): Hot Boyz
• 1998 (12 years ago): Ride
• 1999 (11 years ago): Whiteboyz
• 1999 (11 years ago): Urban Menace
• 2000 (10 years ago): Up in Smoke Tour
• 2001 (9 years ago): Baby Boy
• 2001 (9 years ago): Training Day
• 2001 (9 years ago): King of the Hill (voice)
• 2001 (9 years ago): Bones
• 2001 (9 years ago): The Wash
• 2003 (7 years ago): Malibu's Most Wanted
• 2003 (7 years ago): Old School
• 2004 (6 years ago): Starsky & Hutch
• 2004 (6 years ago): Soul Plane
• 2004 (6 years ago): Volcano High
• 2005 (5 years ago): Boss'n Up
• 2005 (5 years ago): Racing Stripes (voice)
• 2006 (4 years ago): The Tenants
• 2006 (4 years ago): Weeds: Himself
• 2006 (4 years ago): Hood of Horror
• 2007 (3 years ago): Arthur and the Minimoys (voice)
• 2007 (3 years ago): Monk
• 2007 (3 years ago): The Boondocks
• 2008 (2 years ago): Singh Is Kinng (as Himself)
• 2008 (2 years ago): Snoop Dogg's Father Hood (as Himself)
• 2009 (last year): Futurama: Into The Wild (9 walls) Green Yonder (voice)
• 2009 (last year): Snoop And Jay Are Do Paloma Valley High
• 2009 (last year): Dogg After Dark: Himself
• 2009 (last year): Xavier: Renegade Angel (voice)
• 2009 (last year): Brüno (cameo appearance)
• 2009 (last year): Brothers

Pornographic movies

• Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (also executive producer)
• Girls Gone Wild: Doggy Style (2002, 8 years ago) as himself
• Snoop Dogg's Hustlaz: Diary of a Pimp (2002, 8 years ago) (also executive producer)
• Snoop Dogg's Buckwild Bus Tour (also executive producer)
• Sex in the Studio (guest appearance)

TV-shows (series)

• Weeds as himself
• Las Vegas as himself
• Just Shoot Me as himself
• Playmakers as Big E (episodes 10-11)
• King of the Hill as "Alabaster" a white pimp
• Futurama as himself (actual voice not provided)
• The Steve Harvey Show as himself
• Robot Chicken as himself (actual voice not provided)
• South Park though he didn't provide an addititonal voice for his cartoon character in the episode Here Comes the Neighborhood
• Where My Dogs At? as himself (no voice assistance)
• Doggy Fizzle Televizzle self-hosted sketch show on MTV
• The L Word as Slim Daddy (episodes 9-10)
• Monk as Murderous ("Mr. Monk and the Rapper")
• Chappelle's Show as Dangle the puppet, and himself
• The Boondocks as himself in the fictional sequel to Soul Plane.
• "One Life to Live" as himself on May 8, 2008
• "Entourage" as himself.

Discography

• 1993 (17 years ago): Doggystyle
• 1996 (14 years ago): Tha Doggfather
• 1998 (12 years ago): Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told
• 1999 (11 years ago): No Limit Top Dogg
• 2000 (10 years ago): Tha Last Meal
• 2002 (8 years ago): Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss
• 2004 (6 years ago): R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece
• 2006 (4 years ago): Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
• 2008 (2 years ago): Ego Trippin'
• 2009 (last year): Malice N Wonderland

Tours

• Blazed & Confused Tour (opening act)
• Up In Smoke Tour (opening act)

Video Games

• True Crime: Streets of LA (as a hidden character)
• Def Jam: Fight for NY (as Crow)
• Fear & Respect (main character)

Source: en.wikipedia.org

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Linked to Snoop Dogg

• Female Celebrities / Julianne Hough
• Female Celebrities / Mariah Carey
• Female Celebrities / Sophie Monk
• Male Celebrities / Eminem
• Male Celebrities / Justin Timberlake
• Movies / Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
• Music / Korn
• Music / Linkin Park
• Music / Metallica

Songs by Snoop Dogg

• Snoop Dogg - Gangsta Luv
• Snoop Dogg - G's and Hustlas
• Snoop Dogg - I Wanna Rock
• Snoop Dogg - It blows my mind
• Snoop Dogg - Just Dippin'
• Snoop Dogg - Lay Low

Latest news about Snoop Dogg

Perez Hilton Talks Plans For Super-Secret South By Southwest Party MTV News - 4 days ago
Snoop Dogg is among the announced performers: 'I love the fact that he's excited about coming to a festival like SXSW.'By James Montgomery, with reporting by Akshay Bhansali Perez Hilton Photo: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/ WireImage When he's not maintaining his blog empire or actively campaigning to replace Simon Cowell on "American Idol," Perez Hilton also enjoys dabbling in music, particularly down at South by Southwest. Over the past few years, his Saturday parties at the music conference/ BBQ fest have become rather legendary. This is due not only to the mix of top-shelf talent and up-and-coming acts he books, but because the events are usually rather debauched, gleefully over-the-top good times — a little bit of irreverence in what can be a rather, well, pretentious event. And this year, Hilton's SXSW party is looking to be his biggest yet. He's only revealed a handful of the acts on the bill — most notably Snoop Dogg — but he said he still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve and promises that it will be a most memorable evening ... even if he's already had to say "no" to more than a few people. "The lineup for my SXSW party features some of my favorite artists, handpicked by me. I've had a lot of labels lobbying to get their acts on my bill, and I've turned down most [of them]," Hilton told MTV News on Wednesday (March 17). "I chose artists from all over the world, all different musical genres, from up-and-comers to really established acts. "I mentioned Snoop already, but also performing is Alphabeat, a band from Denmark in what will be one of their first U.S. shows ever. They make great pop music. And Marina&the Diamonds, who will also be making one of their first U.S. appearances," Hilton continued. "Also on the bill is VV Brown; she's from the U.K. and is gaining a lot of heat in the U.S. iTunes just chose her song 'Shark in the Water' as their download of the week. And Mike Posner, who is somebody I think will be really big ... not to mention many more amazing artists." Just who will those artists be? Well, Hilton said fans will just have to wait and see. But he's already gearing up to spend some quality time with the Doggfather, which should make for some rather, uh, interesting blog posts come Monday. "I'm hoping this weekend will become my favorite Snoop hang-out story," Hilton said. "I'm a big fan of his music, and I love the fact that he's excited about coming to a festival like SXSW, where you wouldn't expect someone like him to perform." Are you excited for South by Southwest? What other artists do you hope will play Perez's party? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: 2010 SXSW Film Festival Edition 2010 SXSW Film Festival Video Highlights

Dancing with the Stars Profile: Nicole Scherzinger The Hollywood Gossip - 5 days ago
In joining Dancing with the Stars, does Nicole Scherzinger have an unfair advantage? As a member of the Pussycat Dolls, the girl sort of dances for a living already. Whatever. She may have the edge over Buzz Aldrin and Kate Gosselin, but Season 10 (premiering Monday) is wide open. Think Nicole has what it takes to triumph? Here's a brief rundown on this DWTS contender ... Full name: Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente ScherzingerProfessional partner: Derek Hough Best pre-DWTS partnership: with Snoop Dogg on "Buttons"Age: 31Hails from: Honolulu, HawaiiRecently broke up with: Lewis Hamilton, other Pussycat Dolls Album title / possible DWTS tagline: Her Name Is NicoleFun fact: Starred in a Nike commercial with LeBron JamesCelebrity doppelganger: Kim KardashianOdds of winning: 7-1

R&B star Akon goes to Bollywood (AFP) Yahoo! News: Entertainment News - 11 days ago
AFP - US R&B star Akon is to record a track for a Bollywood film, following in the footsteps of rapper Snoop Dogg who raised his profile in the 1.2-billion-strong Indian market with a similar foray.

Gorillaz Plastic Beach Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know MTV News - 12 days ago
Here's a little of what you can expect from the latest offering from Damon Albarn and crew.By James Montgomery Gorillaz Photo: EMI Music / Jamie Hewlett Much like Lazarus, Superman and, uh, Sayid from "Lost," Gorillaz are back from the dead with their first new album in nearly five years, a post-apocalyptic parable called Plastic Beach. Of course, not everyone in the band bit the bullet at the end of the promotional cycle for their last album, 2005's massive Demon Days — just guitarist Noodle, who perished at the conclusion of the band's "El Mañana" video (she's since returned in cyborg form), but there was a definite sense that things were winding down in 'Rillaz land, with co-creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett even telling MTV News that the group was "retiring ... we're going to do it hip-hop style, like Jay-Z." But, much like Jigga, that retirement didn't stick, and the proof is Beach which hits stores on Tuesday (March 9). Much like everything the Gorillaz do, it's a sprawling, kitchen-sink affair, with an orchestra's worth of musicians and an army of guest vocalists taking part in things. There's a whole lot to keep track of, which is why we've prepared this cheat sheet — a list of the who's, what's and where's that make the album tick. Humble Beginnings After spending much of 2007 working on Monkey: Journey to the West, a Chinese-style opera that premiered at the Manchester International Festival, Albarn and Hewlett announced plans for a new Gorillaz album, tentatively called Carousel. That eventually morphed into Plastic Beach (Albarn reportedly got the inspiration for the album while sitting on the beach, noticing all the trash in the sand) and recording began in June 2008. In September of last year, Albarn premiered three brand-new tracks — "Electric Shock," "Broken" and "Stylo" — on BBC Radio 1. In December, Gorillaz appeared on the U.K. cover of Wired magazine and in January their official site underwent a face-lift, making it clear that the Plastic Beach era had begun. A Cast Of Hundreds It wouldn't be a Gorillaz production without more than a few co-stars, and Plastic Beach has 'em by the bucketload. First single "Stylo" features vocals by Mos Def and Bobby Womack (not to mention Bruce Willis in the video), and the album features contributions from Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mick Jones and Paul Simonon from the Clash, the Fall's Mark E. Smith, British rappers Bashy and Kano, De La Soul and Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys, to name just a few. There are also musical flourishes provided by Chicago's Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and the Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental and Arabic Music too. Return To The Road Gorillaz have performed live in the past — including a sold-out run of shows at Harlem's Apollo Theatre and a Grammy duet with Madonna — but longtime plans of a worldwide holographic tour never materialized. But, this time around, things may be different — the band have already been confirmed as headliners at the 2010 Coachella Festival, and if Beach is a success, the lure of the open road may prove too much to resist. Related Artists Gorillaz

Gorillaz Plastic Beach Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know MTV News - 13 days ago
Here's a little of what you can expect from the latest offering from Damon Albarn and crew.By James Montgomery Gorillaz Photo: EMI Music / Jamie Hewlett Much like Lazarus, Superman and, uh, Sayid from "Lost," Gorillaz are back from the dead with their first new album in nearly five years, a post-apocalyptic parable called Plastic Beach. Of course, not everyone in the band bit the bullet at the end of the promotional cycle for their last album, 2005's massive Demon Days — just guitarist Noodle, who perished at the conclusion of the band's "El Mañana" video (she's since returned in cyborg form), but there was a definite sense that things were winding down in 'Rillaz land, with co-creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett even telling MTV News that the group was "retiring ... we're going to do it hip-hop style, like Jay-Z." But, much like Jigga, that retirement didn't stick, and the proof is Beach which hits stores on Tuesday (March 9). Much like everything the Gorillaz do, it's a sprawling, kitchen-sink affair, with an orchestra's worth of musicians and an army of guest vocalists taking part in things. There's a whole lot to keep track of, which is why we've prepared this cheat sheet — a list of the who's, what's and where's that make the album tick. Humble Beginnings After spending much of 2007 working on Monkey: Journey to the West, a Chinese-style opera that premiered at the Manchester International Festival, Albarn and Hewlett announced plans for a new Gorillaz album, tentatively called Carousel. That eventually morphed into Plastic Beach (Albarn reportedly got the inspiration for the album while sitting on the beach, noticing all the trash in the sand) and recording began in June 2008. In September of last year, Albarn premiered three brand-new tracks — "Electric Shock," "Broken" and "Stylo" — on BBC Radio 1. In December, Gorillaz appeared on the U.K. cover of Wired magazine and in January their official site underwent a face-lift, making it clear that the Plastic Beach era had begun. A Cast Of Hundreds It wouldn't be a Gorillaz production without more than a few co-stars, and Plastic Beach has 'em by the bucketload. First single "Stylo" features vocals by Mos Def and Bobby Womack (not to mention Bruce Willis in the video), and the album features contributions from Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mick Jones and Paul Simonon from the Clash, the Fall's Mark E. Smith, British rappers Bashy and Kano, De La Soul and Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys, to name just a few. There are also musical flourishes provided by Chicago's Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and the Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental and Arabic Music too. Return To The Road Gorillaz have performed live in the past — including a sold-out run of shows at Harlem's Apollo Theatre and a Grammy duet with Madonna — but longtime plans of a worldwide holographic tour never materialized. But, this time around, things may be different — the band have already been confirmed as headliners at the 2010 Coachella Festival, and if Beach is a success, the lure of the open road may prove too much to resist.

Snoop Dogg And Mike Epps Team For Comedy Tour Starpulse Entertainment News - 13 days ago
Rapper Snoop Dogg is set to show off his comedic skills this spring, in a U.S. tour featuring funnyman Mike Epps. The hip-hop star and Epps will combine their stand-up and stage shows for a limited...

Snoop Dogg Gets West Coast Rappers 'Organized' On New Mixtape MTV News - 16 days ago
'If you make good music and we are one, they're gonna get onboard,' he tells Mixtape Daily.By Shaheem Reid Snoop Dogg Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/ Getty Images Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables Mixtape: Snoop Dogg Presents: We Da West Volume One Headliners: Snoop Dogg, DJ Whoo Kid and DJ Skee Co-Stars: Nipsey Hussle, Kurupt, Tha Twinz, Soopafly, Katt Williams, Jay-Z and Ludacris Essential Info: Snoop Dogg said his coast still needs to unify and the artists have to be leaders. "All I just want is the n---as out here to see if you make good music and we are one, they're gonna get onboard and they gonna give you what you deserve," Snoop explained to DJ Whoo Kid, who hosts the tape with DJ Skee. "You gonna get your radio play, your spins. But if you ain't organized, n---as can come out here and pick and choose. They can take Nipsey, put Nipsey on a remix. Put Kurupt on a remix. They can never pick all of us and say, 'You all go on a mission. The West Fest Tour. All West Coast n---as go on tour.' " Tha Dogg said his latest mixtape is the first of many to showcase up-and-coming talent. "Volume One is just me bringing awareness to the artists. I have a vehicle to put their sh-- out, through people such as yourself," he told Whoo Kidd. "After this sh-- comes out, n---as need to be running to the studio. Now you can be heard and seen. Even if a n---a only hears your record once or twice, you in a new system. You not just local no more. You not just in your neighborhood. You in a world system now." Last year, Snoop dropped his I Wanna Rock mixtape, and he said it was better than Malice N Wonderland because it was uncut. "That sh-- was banging harder than my album, 'cause the mixtape, we don't have to make records to release to the radio," he said. "My label looking at me: 'We need a couple of songs for pop. We wanna go top 40.' Then I call these radio stations: 'Snoop Dogg, you're working on a new album. When is your album coming out?' Mutha----a, my album is out, n---a! 'Your single "Gangsta Love" is top 40.' N---a, I'm on the next single, 'I Wanna Rock.' Some gangsta sh--. "It's so square, man," he said about working with the top 40 stations. "I'm so far in my career, I'm at the pinnacle. It's a mode I have to go to. I don't knock that, but I knock it when they say you have to do that to be successful." Other Heat This Week » DJ Khaled - Victory (independent album) » Ya Boy - The Fix » Soulja Boy Tell'em - Legendary » Fabolous and DJ Drama - The Funeral Service: There Is No Competition 2 For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Videos Mixtape Daily: Mikkey Halsted, Young Jeezy, Lloyd Banks

Snoop Dogg wins latest round in UK entry case Latest News on omg! - 16 days ago
Reuters - U.S. rapper Snoop Dogg has won the latest round in a long-running battle with British border authorities to be allowed into the country.

Snoop Dogg Allowed Back In Britain Starpulse Entertainment News - 17 days ago
Snoop Dogg has won a legal battle to gain entry to the U.K. - three years after government officials banned him from Britain. The hip-hop star, real name Calvin Broadus, incurred the wrath of immig...

Wu-Tang Trio Say Video For 'Our Dreams' Looks 'Like A Movie' MTV News - 25 days ago
Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Method Man team up for high-concept clip.By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Steven Roberts Raekwon Photo: MTV News The Wu-Tang Clan are among the most visual MCs in hip-hop, so when three of the members get together for a video, fans should expect nothing short of cinéma vérité. Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Method Man were all on set in Brooklyn, New York, last week where the trio filmed the clip for "Our Dreams." The Michael Jackson-sampled production is the lead effort from their collaborative Wu-Massacre album. For the video, Shaolin's finest turned to Rik Cordero (Nas, Snoop Dogg, Consequence) to work the camera. Cordero previously helmed production for a series of Wu-Massacre promotional clips based on the movie "Se7en" — each bit featured the rappers in their own solo trailers. The idea was such a hit that Def Jam commissioned the director to take the lead on "Our Dreams." For the video, he followed the original premise behind the promos and carried out the story he introduced by showing the downfall of each artist's actions. "In the trailers, they each do acts based on the signs," Cordero told MTV News from the set. "In this video they get caught and go into flashbacks where they remember the people close to them." Raekwon praised Cordero's high-minded concept. "We're pioneers, but at the same time we're technicians when we make albums," Raekwon said of the clip. Ghostface has worked with Cordero in the past and was easily onboard with the concept. The plot features Ghost, Rae and Meth being pinned for some heinous acts committed in an unidentified inner-city domain. Their crimes are based in part on the seven deadly sins. The Wu gambinos are on the lam but are eventually caught when clues lead to their downfall. "Rik, he came up," Ghost said. "I saw the trailer and it looked like a movie." Although Wu-Tang infighting has threatened past projects, Ghost said he, Rae and Meth remain focused on the Wu-Massacre project. "It was like, stay together no matter what," he said of promoting the album. "And we can walk this dog." Related Artists Wu-Tang Clan

T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross 'Re-Create' Atlanta Block Party In 'Freaknik' MTV News - 25 days ago
Cartoon premieres March 7 at 11:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.By Hillary Crosley "Freaknik: The Musical" Photo: Adult Swim T-Pain has a cartoon on the way called "Freaknik: The Musical," but it's probably not for kids. The show, airing March 7 on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, will be an hour-long extravaganza detailing a group's quest to "successfully resurrect the spirit of Freaknik ... the biggest spring-break party known to man." On Wednesday morning (February 24), T-Pain tweeted a trailer including castmembers like Rick Ross and Snoop Dogg discussing the show and remembering their experiences at the original Freaknik. "Back in the '90s, Freaknik was Atlanta's version of the ultimate block party. It was Mardi Gras meets spring break, at your crazy cousin's bachelor party, and anything could happen," T-Pain said in a statement last month. "A decade later, I'm bringing it back for people like me, who didn't get to experience it the first time around. We've re-created Freaknik's vibe and energy with amazing animation, new music and an all-star cast of characters." The Adult Swim cartoon has long been in the works, and T-Pain has recruited everyone from comedians Andy Samberg, Bill Hader and Charlie Murphy to musicians Cee-Lo, Big Boi and George Clinton to lend their voices to the show. Still, with all the good-time nostalgia flying around, some participants like Rick Ross had to be coaxed into joining the "Freaknik" cast. "If it was for anybody else, I wouldn't even be part of a cartoon," Ross said. "But because of what Pain told me, he told me we're doing it uncut, we're doing it. It turned out to be fun, man, so it's me, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, the list goes on." Others were more than happy to relive the glory. "I was at the first Freaknik back when it first started in, like, the early '90s, when it was poppin'. ... I was a young rapper, selling CDs and tapes and posters," Snoop Dogg recalled with a smile. Pain isn't the first hip-hop star to team up with Cartoon Network. In 2006, Outkast's Andre 3000 produced "Class of 3000," an animated series set in Atlanta's Westley School of Performing Arts. And Danger Mouse and MF Doom released an album and EP — 2005's The Mouse and the Mask and '06's Occult Hymn — that featured beats taken from Adult Swim programming (and more than a few cameos by Adult Swim stars). "Freaknik: The Musical" premieres March 7 at 11:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network. Related Artists T-Pain Snoop Dogg Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)

Snoop Versus the U.K. (The Newsroom) Yahoo! News: Entertainment News - 25 days ago
The Newsroom - The Wall Street Journal reports that in the coming weeks, a British court will decide once and for all whether to lift a five-year ban preventing rapper Snoop Dogg from entering the United Kingdom. In addition to running an amazing portrait of Snoop, the WSJ goes into great detail on the (somewhat dubious) details of his banishment.

Britain To Rule On Snoop Dogg Ban Starpulse Entertainment News - 25 days ago
Snoop Dogg will find out within weeks whether he can re-enter Britain - the U.K. Asylum and Immigration Tribunal is to make a ruling on whether the rapper will be allowed back in the country.

Travis Barker Gets RZA, Slipknot's Corey Taylor, More On Solo Album MTV News - 31 days ago
'It's a live record — we were in a room together where everything was live,' he says of collaboration with Wu-Tang's RZA.By Kyle Anderson Travis Barker Photo: MTV News Travis Barker is a busy man. He just announced his new collaboration with DJ A-Trak (a tour that will kick off in Hollywood on March 9), a new Blink-182 album is on the horizon and he has his ongoing session and remix work. But his most immediate project is a long-in-the-works solo album. Barker told MTV News back in November that he wanted to have the album out "in January or February," and though he's blown that deadline, the next one is set in stone. "We just got a new date for June," Barker said. "That's when I have to turn it in. It can't change, it can't move — that's the time!" The yet-untitled album promises to be a collection that leaps across genres and features a who's who of musical luminaries, including Slash, Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington and the aforementioned A-Trak. More recently he scored himself collaborations with Wu-Tang Clan mastermind RZA and Slipknot singer Corey Taylor (though not on the same track). Barker says the track that features Taylor on guitar and vocals is "on the heavier side — not as heavy as Slipknot, but heavier than any rock stuff I've done. We recorded the whole thing in an hour or two." As for his team-up with RZA, it allowed the rapper/producer to spread his wings a bit. "RZA plays guitar on the track that will be on my record," Barker says. "It's a live record — we were in a room together where everything was live. It reminds me of old Beastie Boys, like Check Your Head when they all started playing instruments again." In the meantime, fans itching for Barker's work will soon be able to enjoy his remix of Snoop Dogg's hit "I Wanna Rock." "It's done," Barker said. "I hope people like it." Related Artists Travis Barker RZA Slipknot

'We Are The World' Debuts At #2 On Billboard Hot 100 MTV News - 32 days ago
Charity single falls just behind Ke$ha's 'Tik Tok.'By Jayson Rodriguez LL Cool J, Wyclef Jean, Swizz Beatz, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes and will.i.am perform "We Are the World" Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Wire Image Despite some big-name detractors, "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti" debuts at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart just days after the all-star charity single premiered during the televised opening of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The song, a remake of the Michael Jackson- and Lionel Richie-powered original, was only bested by Ke$ha's "Tik Tok," which tops the chart for the ninth straight week. The "WATW" remake produced by RedOne and featuring the collective Artist for Haiti — a group that comprises a number of musicians and actors, including Jamie Foxx, Justin Bieber, Pink, Usher, Kanye West and Celine Dion, among others — is the latest charity effort to rise on the charts. The Hope for Haiti Now album, which featured covers by artists like Justin Timberlake and an original song by Jay-Z, U2's Bono and The Edge, Swizz Beatz and Rihanna, topped the Billboard 200 album chart. The project was the first all-digital album to land at the top of the charts. Both Hope for Haiti Now and the "We Are the World" remake provide much-needed funds for various Haitian earthquake relief efforts. The new "We Are the World" video was helmed by Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis, who described the shoot as "chaos" but noted it was a remarkable experience. "You hear these stories about people checking their egos at the door, and it really is true," Haggis told MTV News. "They came and stood forever and were glorified extras a lot of the time. They just stood in the corner and waved. It was hot and it was crowded. When there's chaos, there's friction. Where there's fiction, there's drama, and I knew I'd have fun things to shoot. Unfortunately, there wasn't as much drama as I expected. People really got along very well." Related Videos Behind The Scenes Of 'We Are The World' Related Photos 'We Are The World 25 For Haiti' Recording Session

'We Are The World: 25 For Haiti' Video Premieres During Olympics Opening Ceremony MTV News - 37 days ago
Extended version of song and video are available now on iTunes.By Jem Aswad Wyclef Jean, Kanye West and Jennifer Hudson perform at the "We Are The World 25 Years for Haiti" recording session Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage The video of "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti" premiered Friday night (February 12) during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The new incarnation of the 1985 song sticks closely to the arrangement of the original, but the cast is much larger and, of course, much more contemporary. On television, the song was introduced by a message from original "We Are the World" principals Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones, who urged viewers to contribute via www.World25.org, iTunes or by texting "World" to 50555. A tightly edited version of the song was aired on Friday night, but the long version is available now on iTunes. That version is introduced by Jamie Foxx, who sets the scene, talking about the original recording and then the new version, the video of which was directed by "Crash" director Paul Haggis. "Do more than just watch," Foxx says. "Whatever you have, no matter how big or how small, it all counts." The video features footage from the song's recording session intercut with scenes of rebuilding efforts in Haiti. Justin Bieber opens, singing Lionel Richie's verse from the original, and is quickly followed by Nicole Scherzinger and Jennifer Hudson singing together, then Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles, Josh Groban, and then a footage of Michael Jackson from the original recording superimposed with sister Janet duetting on the first verse of the chorus. Barbra Streisand, Fergie, a wailing Celine Dion and others follow. Miley Cyrus, Enrique Iglesias, Foxx, Maroon 5's Adam Levine, Pink, Mary J. Blige, Akon, T-Pain and others take verses later in the song; a second verse from a recording of Michael Jackson is immediately followed by Usher. Carlos Santana and Orianthi are seen playing guitars; Richie and Jones are often visible, smiling on the sidelines. The most remarkable moments come from the rappers: an Auto-Tuned Lil Wayne sings Bob Dylan's verse, Wyclef adds some Haitian flavor, and Will.I.Am and Kanye West both rap verses. "Like Katrina, Africa and Indonesia/ Haiti needs us," Will.I.Am raps. LL Cool J, Will.I.Am, Swizz Beatz, Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes team up for a rapped section; Bizzy Bone, Kid Cudi, Drake and Nipsey Hussle were also at the session. The music drops out toward the end to let the chorus sing alone. Amid the studio footage we see Haitian children dancing amid the destruction in their homeland. Tellingly, the Haiti footage focuses on rebuilding efforts. Haggis talked with MTV News about the session earlier this week. "You hear these stories about people checking their egos at the door, and it really is true," he said. "They came and stood forever and were glorified extras a lot of the time. They just stood in the corner and waved." Learn more about what you can do to help with earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti, and for more information, see Think MTV. Visit HopeForHaitiNow.org or call (877) 99-HAITI to make a donation now. Related Videos Behind The Scenes Of 'We Are The World' Related Photos 'We Are The World 25 For Haiti' Recording Session

We Are the World Remake: What Did You Think? The Hollywood Gossip - 37 days ago
The 25-year anniversary remake o "We Are the World" debuted tonight during Winter Olympics coverage on NBC. The production featured over 80 artists and celebrities, as the video below features the young (Justin Bieber), the high (Snoop Dogg) and the deceased (Michael Jackson sang a posthumous duet with sister Janet, using old footage). Vince Vaughn even got a solo. As Jamie Foxx says in the introduction, the purpose of the song is to unite people from across the globe and to encourage donations to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. It's a great cause and we applaud all those involved. We Are the World Remake What do you think of this cover?

Yo Gotti, Young Jeezy And Gucci Mane Here To 'Save' Street Music MTV News - 39 days ago
'I feel that's who the streets look at as far as trap music,' Gotti tells Mixtape Daily.By Shaheem Reid Yo Gotti Photo: Polo Grounds Celebrity Favorites Yo Gotti just wants to preserve the environment. The Memphis, Tennessee, MC wants to uphold the integrity of the streets in hip-hop. He has talked about the responsibility on the shoulders of himself, Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane as three of the 'hood's ambassadors. "Keep getting it, I respect you and salute you, my n---a," Gotti says on the record "Save Da Trap," talking directly to Jeezy. "I knew you for this rap sh--/ We used to speak on trap sh--/ You represent the streets and you know I do the same/ From one gangsta to another, dawg, I hope you never change." The last verse of the song addresses Gucci Mane. "I don't really f--- with rappers but you/ You like my brother," Gotti says to Gucci. "We was in the spot/ We looked out for one another/ The first time I met, three songs in one night." Gotti explained his musical letters to us. "I feel like it's our job, between me and Jeezy and Gucci — I feel that's who the streets look at as far as trap music," Gotti explained. "So if it's gonna be saved, we have to save it. That [song is] me telling myself and them, 'Don't do it.' We gotta save the trap — the streets want us here. We still can do what we wanna do, make any kinda music we want to do — but we gotta keep representing the trap for the trap, 'cause that's what's made us." Yo Gotti's next album, Live From the Kitchen, comes out later this year. He recently filmed a video for "Women Lie, Men Lie" in Los Angeles. "It's a mystery video," Gotti said. "Women lie, men lie — it's kind of a mystery video. You'll see what's going on and what's not going on. I'm rapping about numbers. It's self-explanatory, a lot of things I'm talking about — figures ... what jewelry cost, what my deal is worth. It's just different things where I come from in the streets — a lot of numbers." For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Videos Mixtape Daily: Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, More

Ludacris' Conjure Mixtape A Grab Bag For Fans MTV News - 41 days ago
'I wanna give all my fans something for free,' Chris says, in Mixtape Daily.By Shaheem Reid Ludacris Photo: MTV News This Week's Main Pick Street King: Ludacris Holding It Down For: ATL Mixtape Album: Ludacris Presents Conjure: A Hustler's Spirit Real Spit: The stylistic and lyrical monster Chris Bridges pours his rap magma on tracks like his official Battle of the Sexes blast-off banger "How Low" and Snoop Dogg's instrumental for "I Wanna Rock." "I did a verse to the beat," Chris said in Los Angeles last week. "I love the beat so much. That's one of the beats that comes on and you feel instant gratification. Somebody put my verse sandwiched in between the Jay and the Snoop verses [on the] G-Mix. It's all good. I just want people to hear it. Whatever it is, y'all just need to listen to it." While that freestyle didn't make it to the Conjure mixtape, the iconic Southerner has an entire grab bag of flows for you. "Before the album, after the album, I'm just in a space where I'm inspired," he says. "I'm inspired by beats of course, the ones that are on Battle of the Sexes. But even beyond that, I'm jumping on stuff. It's my exercise. I wanna give all my fans something — [the ones] that have been supporting me for the last 10 years — something for free." The mixtape's title has a dual meaning. "It's as simple as this. Spirit has a double meaning," Luda explains. "When you talk about spirits, you talk about liquors, as in Conjure [cognac]. Then my spirit, I have a hustler's spirit. People that listen to the mixtape have a hustler's spirit. It's a lot of people out there getting money. That's basically what this thing is about. Even in the rap game, you have to sell records, we hustle. This is for the hustlers. Simple as that." Chris' Battle of the Sexes features appearances by Nicki Minaj, Lil' Kim, Eve and others. It hits retailers on March 9. Joints To Check For » "O Let's Do It." "Atlanta's been on fire for quite some time," Ludacris said, before delving into why he got on Waka Flocka Flame's beat. "We stay on fire. Right about now, it's a lot of crazy aggressive beats that's coming out of the hometown. That keeps me inspired; aggressive tracks I feel I gotta put a voice too. That's a beat that caught my attention the first time I heard it. I was in the studio with Gucci Mane. It's aggressive. I felt like I wanted to do something on it. I made it happen. What am I talking about [on the track]? It's about lifestyle, about culture, expressing yourself. It's about getting gritty and grimy in the streets. All the hustlers know that. Let's do it." » "All Da Way Turnt Up." "The whole record is talking about being yourself, turning your music up as loud as hell and not caring what anybody had to say," Cris explains about his takeover of Roscoe Dash's record. "It's about you being too loud. Sometimes you get tickets for disturbing the peace. When you see a cop, you have to turn it down." » "Pennies." "Something that happened a while ago, but a lot of people didn't get to hear it," Luda says about the original version by the Cool Kids. "I definitely love the underground and all the artists for making names for themselves and making sure they have a following of their own. That's something the Cool Kids have done and continue to do. I still have a passion for hip-hop and I still love it. No matter how many records I've sold, I feel a need to get on underground records." For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Videos Mixtape Daily: Ludacris

Access Star Sightings: January 28 - February 4, 2010 Latest News on omg! - 44 days ago
By David GreenwaldLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Mommy Melissa Joan Hart! Plus, stars hit LA for the Grammys, Snoop Dogg meets "Star Wars"&more!