Snoop Dogg Opens Up About the Five People Who Shaped His Life — and the One Who “Saved My Soul Without Even Trying”

Few artists have lived a life as colorful, complicated, and ultimately redemptive as Snoop Dogg. From the streets of Long Beach to global superstardom, his story has been one of survival, reinvention, and unexpected wisdom. In a rare, deeply personal reflection, the rap icon revealed the five people who changed his life — and the one who, as he says, “saved my soul without even trying.”

1. Dr. Dre — The Mentor Who Gave Him a Microphone

When Dr. Dre discovered Snoop in the early ’90s, he didn’t just spot a rapper — he spotted a movement. Dre’s production on Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang launched Snoop into the spotlight and reshaped West Coast hip-hop forever.

“Dre believed in me before the world did,” Snoop said. “He taught me discipline, taught me patience, and most of all, taught me how to dream bigger than the block I came from.”

2. Tupac Shakur — The Brother Who Made Him Brave

Snoop calls Tupac his “spiritual twin.” Their collaboration on 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted remains a classic, but behind the music was a brotherhood rooted in courage.

“Pac made me fearless,” Snoop recalled. “He had this fire that couldn’t be contained. He told me, ‘If you’re gonna stand for something, stand loud.’ That changed me.”

Even decades later, Snoop says Tupac’s voice still pushes him to speak up when it matters most.

3. His Mother, Beverly Tate — The Woman Who Gave Him Grace

Long before fame, there was Mama Beverly — Snoop’s moral compass and spiritual foundation. When she passed away in 2021, he described losing his “greatest teacher.”

“She gave me love when I didn’t deserve it,” Snoop said. “Every time I fell, she told me to get back up and walk with God.”

Her lessons on forgiveness and humility helped transform him from rap’s “bad boy” into a warm, reflective cultural figure.

4. Martha Stewart — The Friend Who Taught Him Lightness

What started as an unlikely television pairing became one of pop culture’s most delightful friendships. Snoop says Martha Stewart reminded him that growth doesn’t mean losing your essence — it means expanding it.

“Martha taught me you can be classy and crazy at the same time,” he laughed. “She showed me that joy is powerful. You can hustle hard, but don’t forget to laugh hard too.”

5. Shante Broadus — The Anchor Who Stayed Through Every Storm

Snoop’s wife and high school sweetheart, Shante Broadus, has stood by him through decades of fame, personal challenges, and reinvention.

“She saw me before the world did,” he said. “And she stayed when the world tried to pull me apart.”

“Every time I got lost, she was my GPS back to myself,” Snoop shared.

The One Who “Saved My Soul Without Even Trying”

Finally, with rare vulnerability, Snoop spoke about the person who changed him most: his late friend and collaborator Nate Dogg.

“When Nate passed, I realized how short this ride really is,” Snoop said softly. “He saved my soul without even trying — just by being real. No fake, no front, no ego. He was peace in a world that needed it.”

Their partnership produced era-defining hits like The Next Episode, but for Snoop, Nate’s influence went beyond music.

“He taught me that you don’t need to scream to be strong,” Snoop reflected. “Just sing your truth — and let that be your prayer.”

A Life Defined by Love and Loyalty

Today, Snoop Dogg isn’t just a rap legend — he’s a symbol of resilience and reinvention, shaped by mentors, friends, and family who stood with him through triumph and turmoil.

“I wouldn’t be here without the people who saw something in me — the mentors, the homies, the women, the angels,” he said. “They didn’t just change my life — they gave it meaning.”

And in one final, simple truth, Snoop summed up a lifetime of lessons:

“Even the coolest cat needs saving sometimes, too.”

For an artist who’s constantly evolved while staying authentic, those words reveal the heart behind the icon — proof that strength is often built on love, loyalty, and the people who believe in us when the world isn’t watching.