Snoop Dogg has taken a significant legal step in putting his past behind him. The rapper, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., successfully petitioned to have his 1993 murder charge sealed—28 years after being acquitted of all charges in a case that could have dramatically altered the course of his life and career. The decision, granted in early 2024, means that the records of the charge will be hidden from the public and will no longer appear on background checks for employment, housing, or education purposes.
The Case That Almost Ended It All
The charge stemmed from an incident in August 1993, when Snoop and his bodyguard, McKinley Lee, were accused of the murder of a gang member named Philip Woldemariam. According to prosecutors, Snoop was driving the vehicle from which Lee fired the fatal shot at Woldemariam, who was a member of a rival gang. The shooting occurred at Palms’ Woodbine Park in Los Angeles, and both Snoop and Lee faced first- and second-degree murder charges.
The timing of the trial could not have been more dramatic for Snoop, who had just released his first album, Doggystyle, months before the case went to court in 1996. Despite the weight of the accusations, Snoop maintained his innocence throughout, and after a highly publicized trial, he and his bodyguard were acquitted. The jury cleared both men of murder and conspiracy to commit assault, a verdict that allowed Snoop to continue his meteoric rise in the music world.
Snoop, who was free on $1 million bail during the trial, expressed relief at the acquittal, telling the LA Times, “They made the right decision, you know what I’m saying? This has been an ordeal that has affected our lives for the past 2 1/2 years. I was just trying to figure out if I was going to be here to raise my son.”
Legal Closure, Career Triumph
The sealing of the records brings legal closure to a case that hung over the rapper for decades, even though he was acquitted. It ensures that the details of the murder charge will no longer be visible to the public. Legal documents obtained by TMZ confirm that Snoop filed the petition in January 2024, with the court approving the request in late February.
Despite the grim legal battle, Snoop Dogg’s career has been one of incredible success. His acquittal cleared the path for a career that has spanned over three decades, making him one of the most recognizable figures in hip-hop. With hits like “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Gin and Juice,” the Long Beach rapper has become a household name and a pop culture icon.
Life Before Fame: A Darker Path
Snoop’s rise to fame was not without hardship. Before his music career took off, Snoop was deeply involved with the notorious Crips gang in Los Angeles. He attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where he met Shante Broadus, his future wife. Though he started out as a choirboy, Snoop’s desire for money and involvement with drugs led him down a dangerous path. Shortly after graduating high school in 1989, he was arrested for attempting to sell cocaine to an undercover police officer, an event that would lead to several more brushes with the law over the next few years.
It was during one of his stints in jail that fellow Crips members encouraged Snoop to pursue a career in rap. That advice would prove invaluable, as Snoop would go on to become one of the most influential figures in the genre, starting with his breakout performances on Dr. Dre’s The Chronic in 1992.
Family and Personal Life
Snoop’s life has also been shaped by his long relationship with his wife, Shante Broadus. The two met as teenagers and even attended their high school prom together before getting married in 1997. The couple shares three children—Cordé, Cordell, and Cori—and Snoop has another son, Julian, from a previous relationship. While their relationship hasn’t been without challenges, including a brief split in 2004, Snoop and Shante reconciled and renewed their vows in 2008.
Reflecting on their reconciliation, Snoop told People, “I thought I was the man, and I was willing to give up what I had at home for that until I realized that what I had at home was irreplaceable.”
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Snoop’s legal troubles didn’t stop at the US border. During his 1993 trial, the rapper controversially toured Britain, prompting tabloids to call for his removal from the country. In a surprising twist, Snoop later claimed that Queen Elizabeth II personally intervened to allow him to stay, a story that only added to his larger-than-life persona.
Now 52, Snoop has transcended his rap career to become an all-around entertainment mogul, actor, and entrepreneur. He’s known for his laid-back demeanor, but beneath that image is a man who has overcome legal battles, personal challenges, and public scrutiny to remain relevant and beloved for more than three decades.
With his 1993 murder charge officially sealed, Snoop can finally close the chapter on one of the most turbulent periods of his life. The rapper, who has remained a fixture in music and popular culture, continues to push boundaries while staying true to his roots.
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