Snoop Dogg, born Calvin Broadus Jr., is an American rapper, songwriter, producer and actor from Long Beach, California, who rose to prominence in the early 1990s alongside Dr. Dre. His style blends West Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap and G-funk, with an instantly recognizable laid-back flow, funk-driven production and a strong Californian identity. With albums such as Doggystyle, Tha Doggfather and R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece, Snoop Dogg became one of the most iconic and enduring figures in American rap.