by jamal khan, senior culture correspondent
billboard digital | november 3, 2025 | 11:08 am pst | updated 3:47 pm pst
long beach, california — calvin cordozar broadus jr., the world-renowned rapper, entrepreneur, and cultural icon better known as snoop dogg, was pronounced dead early monday morning after suffering sudden cardiac arrest at his home in the hills above long beach. he was 54.
the los angeles county sheriff’s department confirmed the tragedy at 6:42 am pst, stating that paramedics responded to a 911 call from the residence after snoop collapsed during a late-night recording session for an unreleased track with dr. dre. despite immediate cpr by his security team and advanced life support by first responders, the hip-hop legend could not be revived.
final hours: a typical snoop night
according to sources close to the family who spoke exclusively to billboard, snoop had been in high spirits following the global launch of missionary — his long-awaited collaborative album with dr. dre — just 48 hours earlier. the project, released via death row records on october 31, 2025, debuted at #1 on the billboard 200 with 412,000 first-week units.
“he was buzzing,” said longtime engineer fredwreck nasseri, who was in the studio until 2:17 am. “snoop laid down a verse, lit a blunt, poured a gin & juice, and said, ‘one more take, then i’m out. gotta walk tha doggs at sunrise.’”
security footage reviewed by investigators shows snoop walking to his home gym at 3:11 am — a routine he maintained for decades despite his laid-back image. he was wearing his lakers jersey #17, airpods max, and carrying a bottle of still water (a switch from his usual indoggo gin after a recent health check).
at 3:29 am, he collapsed mid-stride near the free weights. his apple watch triggered an automatic sos alert at 3:31 am, but the gate was locked, delaying paramedics by 11 critical minutes.
medical findings: a silent killer
the los angeles county coroner’s office released preliminary results monday afternoon:
- cause of death: sudden cardiac arrest (sca) due to undiagnosed coronary artery disease
- time of death: 3:47 am pst
- contributing factors:
- hypertension (controlled with medication)
- chronic sleep deprivation (averaged 4.2 hours/night over past year)
- elevated caffeine intake (12–14 espressos daily)
- history of cannabis use (non-contributory per toxicology)
- no drugs, alcohol, or foul play
dr. michael kim, cardiologist at cedars-sinai, explained:
“snoop had plaque buildup in three arteries — common in high-stress performers over 50. the combination of late nights, travel, and adrenaline from the album drop likely triggered a fatal arrhythmia. this wasn’t weed. this was life on overdrive.”
snoop had passed a stress test in july 2025, but skipped a follow-up in september due to tour commitments in europe and asia.
family statement: “he went out like a g”
at 10:15 am, snoop’s wife shante broadus and children — corde, cordell, cori, and julian — released a joint statement via death row records:
“our husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle left this earth doing what he loved — making music, lifting spirits, and walking in peace. he taught us to stay high on life, not just the smoke. we ask for privacy as we lay tha doggfather to rest in long beach. #forever17.”
dr. dre, visibly shaken, posted a single instagram story:
“my brother. my partner. my dogg. missionary was our last ride. i love you, calvin.”
(viewed by 87 million before being archived)
hip-hop in shock
within minutes, #snoopdogg and #ripdoggfather dominated global trends:
- ice cube: “long beach just lost its king. rest easy, nephew.”
- kendrick lamar: “you showed me how to float above the noise. forever grateful.”
- taylor swift: “a legend who made everyone smile. sending love to his family.”
- barack obama: “snoop turned gangsta rap into global joy. michelle and i are praying for the broadus family.”
spotify reported a 1,200% surge in snoop streams within two hours. “gin & juice” re-entered the billboard hot 100 at #3.
the empire he leaves behind
at the time of his death, snoop dogg’s net worth was estimated at $320 million, including:
- death row records (acquired 2022)
- indoggo gin (valued at $180m)
- snoop cereal (general mills partnership)
- swansea city fc (co-owner since july 2025)
- nbcuniversal olympics deal (2024–2028)
- cannabis ventures (leafs by snoop, casa verde capital)
all operations have been suspended indefinitely out of respect.
a history of defying death
snoop survived:
- 1993 drive-by shooting (acquitted in murder trial)
- 2006 airport arrest (weapons charge)
- 2014 “i’m dead” twitter hoax
- 2023 “quit smoke” marketing stunt
yet, as warren g told billboard:
“he always said, ‘when it’s my time, i’ll go out smooth — no drama, just fade to black.’ i guess god took him at his word.”
funeral plans: a long beach send-off
a public memorial is scheduled for november 8, 2025 at long beach poly high school football field — where snoop played in the 1980s. fans are encouraged to wear lakers jerseys and bring unopened bottles of ripple (his favorite childhood drink).
a private burial will follow at forest lawn memorial park, beside his mother, beverly tate (d. 2021).
what now?
the american heart association has launched the #snoopcheck challenge:
get a heart screening if you’re over 45, work late nights, or live with chronic stress.
“snoop saved lives by smoking. now let him save yours by checking.”
meanwhile, dr. dre has vowed to complete missionary deluxe with unreleased snoop verses:
“every bar he laid down will be heard. that’s the doggfather’s final word.”
last words from the dogg
in his final interview — with complex, published october 30 — snoop said:
“i ain’t scared of dyin’. i been dead a few times — in the streets, in the courts, in the game. but every time, i came back smoother. when it’s real, i’ll just be chillin’ with pac, nate, and biggie, sippin’ gin in heaven’s studio.”
today, millions believe he’s doing just that.
billboard has reached out to death row records, dr. dre’s team, and the broadus family for further comment. this story will be updated.
if you’re experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeat, call 911 immediately.