After nearly a decade away from the reality TV spotlight, Grammy-winning artist Zac Brown has made a long-awaited return to The Voice — and this time, he’s not just mentoring a team of hopeful singers; he’s bringing a decade of hard-earned wisdom, inspiration, and a few unforgettable lessons from an unlikely source: Snoop Dogg.
Stepping onto the soundstage during rehearsals for the upcoming season, Brown couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. “I’m so excited to be back!” he told producers. “It feels like coming home — only this time, I’ve lived a little more life.”
Fans of The Voice will remember Brown’s guest mentor appearance back in 2015. Now, ten years later, he’s returning as a full-fledged coach, joining Reba McEntire, John Legend, and Snoop Dogg — the very artist who, according to Brown, helped reshape his outlook on music, leadership, and balance.
“Snoop and I met years ago backstage at the Grammys,” Brown shared in a behind-the-scenes interview. “He told me five things that stuck with me — and I’ve lived by them ever since.”
Below are the five “Top” lessons that Zac Brown says he learned from Snoop Dogg — lessons he now hopes to pass on to the next generation of artists on The Voice.
1. “Don’t chase the hit — build the home.”
Snoop’s first lesson, Brown says, was about creating longevity over hype.
“He told me, ‘Man, hits fade, but a sound lasts forever,’” Brown recalled. “That’s what inspired albums like The Owl and Welcome Home. I wanted to make music people could live with — not just dance to for a summer.”
2. “The groove doesn’t lie.”
This, Brown says, is Snoop’s “golden rule.”
“He told me, ‘If it don’t move your shoulders, it won’t move hearts,’” Brown said with a grin. “Now, no matter what genre I’m working in — country, pop, or soul — I always ask myself, does it groove?”
3. “Stay loyal to your crew.”
Few things resonated more deeply with Brown than this piece of advice.
“Snoop said, ‘Your band is your family. You don’t replace family.’ That’s been my compass through every high and low with the Zac Brown Band. Loyalty is what keeps us grounded and real.”
4. “Smoke out the stress — your way.”
Brown laughed when recalling this one, clarifying that Snoop’s message wasn’t literal.
“He meant — find your release,” Brown said. “For me, it’s fishing, cooking, or just getting quiet in the woods. You can’t pour into people if your own tank’s empty.”
5. “Be legendary by being yourself.”
The final lesson, Brown says, was the most life-changing.
“Snoop told me, ‘Don’t try to be the best country artist — be the best you.’ That line shaped everything I do now. That’s what I tell my team on The Voice: Authenticity always wins.”
A Full-Circle Moment
According to NBC insiders, Brown’s addition to the coaching lineup has already made waves. Known for his easygoing humor and “drill-sergeant focus,” he’s earned a reputation for pushing contestants to dig deeper into who they are — not just what they can sing.
“Zac doesn’t just coach vocals,” one producer shared. “He coaches mindset.”
For Brown, reuniting with Snoop Dogg as a fellow coach feels like a homecoming in more ways than one. “It’s full circle, man,” he said. “Ten years later, I’m still learning from him — but now I get to teach, too.”
And in true Zac Brown fashion, he closed his first day back on The Voice with a message to his team that captures the spirit of everything he’s learned:
“The best music isn’t perfect — it’s honest.”
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