LOS ANGELES — West Coast rap legend Snoop Dogg has publicly admitted to a major mistake in his artistic career: demeaning and belittling female rappers during the 1990s and early 2000s. He confessed that his old views, which included dismissing female rappers as “accessories” on tracks and attacking both Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown , were fueled by the pressures of gangsta rap culture and the need to maintain his image as the “King of the West Coast .”
🎤 Mistake: Denying Talent Because of Fear of Losing the Throne
| Aspects | Detail |
| Admitted Mistake | Female rappers have been looked down upon and overlooked for two decades, seeing them as mere “accessories” to enhance men’s appearance. |
| Old Consequences | Using offensive language against pioneering artists like Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown on older tracks contributes to a toxic masculine music environment. |
| Current Practice | Publicly apologized and acknowledged the “real talent” of female artists after working with Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. |
⛓️ Core Reason: Masculine Cultural Pressure
Snoop Dogg’s mistake stemmed from the harsh social and professional environment of the time:
- Hyper-Masculine Hip-Hop Environment: During the “Golden Age” of hip-hop (the 90s), the genre was dominated by an ethic of hyper-masculinity , where women were often relegated to secondary roles in both music videos and lyrical content.
- Pressure to Maintain a “West Coast King” Image: As a key figure in Death Row Records alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop felt the need to maintain a dominant and tough image that suited the gangsta rap genre . In this context, female ambition was often seen as a threat or an afterthought , in order to preserve the narrow view of the “king” in hip-hop.
🌊 Lessons From the “WAP Cultural Earthquake”
The biggest turning point that forced Snoop Dogg to reconsider was the rise of a new generation of female rappers—those with strong voices, self-control, and unafraid of sexuality, notably Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion .
- The Catalyst: The song “WAP” (2020) was not only a huge hit but also a cultural phenomenon, becoming one of the raunchiest songs to ever top the US charts. It was hailed as a female “empowerment anthem” for its bold celebration of women’s sexual agency.
- The Awakening: Initially, Snoop Dogg criticized the excesses of WAP . However, witnessing the undeniable talent, commercial power, and cultural power that new female stars embodied forced him to face reality.
Snoop Dogg’s public apology marks a profound acknowledgment: the talent of female artists like Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion is a force that cannot be dismissed as “accessories.” Their unprecedented success has proven that the outdated “gangsta rap” mindset is no longer relevant, and that female rappers are indispensable creative and commercial leaders in the industry.