After three decades in music, Snoop Dogg has earned his place as one of hip-hop’s most enduring icons — but if you think he’s ready to hang up the mic, think again. The 53-year-old legend recently opened up about the new generation of rappers keeping him motivated, naming five artists he admires most and explaining why he’s still as energized as ever.
“I’ve learned a million things from the new generation,” Snoop said with his signature grin. “These young cats keep me on my toes. They remind me that hip-hop ain’t about age — it’s about energy.”
1. Kendrick Lamar — “The Poet With a Purpose”
For Snoop, admiration for fellow Compton native Kendrick Lamar runs deep. The two share not only geography but also a legacy of using hip-hop as a platform for truth and reflection.
“Kendrick’s one of the most powerful voices we got,” Snoop said. “He don’t just rap — he preaches, he paints, he teaches. Every time I hear him, I feel proud. That’s West Coast royalty.”
He praised Lamar for bringing intelligence and introspection back to mainstream rap. “He makes you think — that’s what real MCs do,” he added.
2. Tyler, The Creator — “The Rebel I Respect”
Snoop’s admiration for Tyler, The Creator stems from his boundary-breaking creativity.
“Tyler broke all the rules — and made his own,” Snoop said. “He’s creative, crazy, and confident. He reminds me of myself when I didn’t care what nobody thought.”
Snoop revealed that Tyler once sent him early mixes of IGOR for feedback. “I told him, ‘Don’t change a thing.’ That album was genius,” he recalled.
3. Lil Baby — “The Hustler With Heart”
Among today’s new wave of artists, Lil Baby stands out to Snoop for his mix of ambition and sincerity.
“Lil Baby got that street wisdom,” he explained. “You can tell he’s been through it, but he learned from it. I respect his grind — he’s balancing hits with real talk.”
Snoop pointed to The Bigger Picture as a standout: “That track made me say, ‘Okay, this kid’s for real.’”
4. Doja Cat — “The Innovator Who Can Do It All”
When it comes to women redefining hip-hop, Snoop didn’t hesitate to praise Doja Cat, another California native.
“Doja’s a monster — and I mean that in the best way,” he said with a laugh. “She raps, sings, performs, produces — she’s fearless. The future’s female, and she’s leading it.”
Her creativity, he added, reminds him of Missy Elliott’s groundbreaking originality. “She keeps hip-hop fresh — and that’s hard to do now.”
5. Jack Harlow — “The Student of the Game”
Perhaps the most unexpected name on Snoop’s list is Jack Harlow, but the veteran rapper says his respect comes from Harlow’s humility.
“That boy’s got soul,” Snoop said. “He listens, he studies, he learns. He ain’t trying to be nobody else — and that’s why I rock with him.”
Snoop shared that Harlow once reached out just to say thank you: “He told me, ‘I’m just trying to make music that lasts like yours.’ That’s love right there.”
Why Snoop Dogg Refuses to Retire
With more than 35 million albums sold worldwide and a cultural legacy spanning generations, Snoop could easily step back. But retirement isn’t in his vocabulary.
“People keep asking when I’m retiring,” he said, laughing. “I tell ’em, ‘Retire from what? I’m still having fun.’ Hip-hop’s my life, not my job.”
For Snoop, working with younger artists isn’t about competition — it’s about connection. “Every time I hit the studio with these young ones, I feel like it’s 1993 again,” he said. “They remind me why I started — to make people feel good.”
He also teased that his next project will feature several of the artists he named, describing it as “a bridge between eras.”
“It’s time to show that old school and new school ain’t enemies — we’re family,” he said.
A Legacy Still in Motion
After three decades, Snoop Dogg’s outlook remains refreshingly grounded — equal parts mentor, student, and lifelong fan of the culture he helped shape.
“You stop learning, you stop living,” he said. “These young ones? They’re my teachers now — and I love that.”
As long as he’s still learning — and still having fun — it seems safe to say that Snoop Dogg’s retirement isn’t just far away. It may never come at all.