the buzz log
Happy birthday to the Snoop Dogg. The rap superstar and occasional actor (remember "Bones"?) hits the big 4-0 this week.
Few people have crammed as much living into 40 years. Born Calvin Broadus on October 20, 1971, he was given his now-famous nickname by his parents, who thought the young child resembled the Peanuts character Snoopy.
No doubt, Snoop built his early fame on rapping about his tough life in Southern California. As a teen, Snoop got into trouble with the law, a habit that continued well into his adulthood. In 1996, he faced murder charges but was later acquitted of being an accessory to a 1993 shooting.
With Dr. Dre, who discovered Snoop and made him famous in the '90s, the two brought gangsta rap to the masses. With that, of course, came controversy, but Snoop, thanks to his indisputable talent and charm, has stayed above the fray.
In more recent years, Snoop has shed the gangster image and become more of a family man. Several years ago, he starred in "Snoop Dogg's Father Hood," a reality show that aired on E! Entertainment Television. In one memorable episode, he asked soccer superstar David Beckham to teach his three kids how to play the beautiful game.
Soccer isn't the only sport Snoop Dogg follows. He's into just about every major sport, but he has a particular love of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fun fact: One of Snoop's dreams is to be an NFL coach (he would prefer to coach the Steelers, natch).
Think you know everything there is to know about Mr. Snoop Dee Oh Double Gee? Here are a few more little-known facts about the lanky entertainer.
1. He's got a famous relative. Singer and actress Brandy is his cousin.
2. The late Johnnie Cochran served on his legal team in the '90s.
3. He married his high school girlfriend back in 1997.
4. He's a believer in afterschool sports. He even started his own youth football league.
5. He's not just about rap. Believe it or not, Snoop loves Metallica.
Happy birthday, Snoop Dogg. We read that your birthday bash was awesome. No surprise there. West Coast knows how to party.