How Pharrell Helped Snoop Dogg Rap About Women with ‘Respect’ Not ‘Derogatory Words’

Taking wise advice has been a cornerstone in Snoop Dogg’s enduring success in the music industry. The legendary rapper, who also delights fans as an Olympics commentator, reflects on this in a recent conversation with PEOPLE magazine.

At 52, Snoop continues to seek growth and self-improvement, a principle that has guided his career for decades.

“I just want to keep getting better and better, and being around people that want to see me do better,” he shares. “Even if that means that I’m not the smartest person in the room, that don’t offend me because that means more learning rather than teaching.”

Pharrell Williams’ Influence: A Shift in Perspective

Snoop credits producer Pharrell Williams for sparking one of his most significant personal transformations. During the late ’90s, while reassessing his career, Snoop admits he felt confined.

“I was stuck in a box with keeping it gangster and trying to appease the hood,” he recalls. “I had one singular target that I was aiming at and really didn’t have room to grow.”

By the time Snoop founded Doggystyle Records in 1999, he was searching for a fresh sound and perspective. When he teamed up with Williams for his 2002 album ‘Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss,’ Snoop was receptive to new ideas. One of the standout moments was Williams’ suggestion for the 2003 hit “Beautiful.”

“He made me do that song. I would never do a song like that in the ’90s, but he tapped me into the side that I really never paid attention to. He was like, ‘You’ve been rapping about women and calling them and h–s and they love you,” says Snoop of his misogynistic lyrics in the past. Williams continued, “‘When are you going to take time to show them that you love them and appreciate them?'”‘

Respecting Women: A Turning Point

That question struck a chord with Snoop. “I had to think,” says Snoop. “I was like, ‘Damn. I am kind of hard on them. Let me listen to you. What should I do?'”

In response, Pharrell helped Snoop reflect on the women in his life, listing the women in Snoop’s family to drive the point home. Pharell “started naming all the women in my family. I was like, ‘I get it … put the beat on.”

From that moment, Snoop’s approach to writing about women changed; “Since then I’ve been on more of a respect my queen rather than use derogatory words to explain my feeling towards females,” he said.

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Taking Care of His Voice and Mentoring the Next Generation

Beyond evolving his lyrical content, Snoop takes great pride in maintaining his unique vocal style. “I take care of my voice,” he reveals, sharing that drinking tea regularly helps.

“It’s not trying to be like nobody else. It’s just me doing me, and I think that it’s comforting to your ears to know that it remained the same for so many years and it’s always been laid back and silky and in pocket and refreshing to hear. Even if it was over some hardcore music, it was always the right instrument.”

As a coach on The Voice, Snoop is now channeling his wisdom into nurturing the next generation of artists. “I think I’m going to be a coach with care and concern, with honesty and truth,” he says, “and more or less taking some of my own personal experiences and using that to be like the guidelines to how I coach.”

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