PARIS– PARIS (AP) — Snoop Dogg steps out of a sleek black SUV, with his entourage in tow, as a Parisian crowd erupts in chants of “Snoop, Snoop, Snoop!” outside the NBC set.
Personalized decorated, Noah Lyles themed In a US sweatshirt, the ultra-smooth artist walks past adoring fans with flashing phone cameras to the Musee de l’Homme. Inside, her longtime friend Martha Stewart greets him with a hug. They talk, clink glasses of champagne, and then he walks onto the set to film a Sunday night segment.
OK, the show can begin – Snoop has arrived. Literally.
At the Paris Games, big entrances became the norm in Snoop’s spectacular Olympic life.
“When the lights are on, that’s when I shine best,” he told the Associated Press after returning from watching Lyles’ film. historic victory in the 100 meter race and filming a primetime segment with Mike Tirico and Stewart, a surprise guest.
“This opportunity was nothing more than a chance for me to show the world what it should be like when you put the right person in the right environment,” Snoop said.
Snoop, 52, has become the star of Paris Games, rising to new heights with several memorable moments. He is carried the Olympic torchcaptivated audiences as an NBC primetime correspondent, swam with Michael Phelps, participated in a US women’s soccer game with Megan Rapinoe, danced with Simone Biles It is Jordan Chiles, and applauded Caeleb Dressel alongside the swimmer’s wife and son.
The rap icon is currently in his comfort zone. And sleep? Even that’s hard to keep up with the multihyphenate artist on the move.
“It’s more about relaxing than sleeping because I’m having so much fun,” he said. “This is not the city to sleep in. This is not the time to sleep. This is the time to act as you wish. There are different events happening day and night. I want to be active in everything because I love American athletes and competition. That’s what I’m here for.”
Stewart said she is extremely proud of how Snoop is successfully meeting the challenge. She was impressed by his ability to genuinely connect with Olympic athletes and their families.
“I think he did an incredible job at the Olympics,” said Stewart, who participated in an equestrian team dressage event with Snoop on his 83rd birthday on Saturday. For the equestrian competition, the pair wore matching helmets, black jackets and white pants.
“This is a celebration of the best athletics of all time and he made it so accessible to everyone,” she continued. “That’s his talent. Everyone loves him.
Snoop also has the Games most sought after souvenir: a Snoop Dogg pin, which shows him wearing a blue tank top while exuding rings the same color as the Olympics logo. He is a gift to tennis star Coco Gauff, but I went on to offer more details for now about how to get more information, saying, “I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t have any answer for that.”
Meanwhile, Snoop has mastered the art of being himself in front of the television camera – even for a global audience. He initially took on his correspondent assignment, thinking NBC wanted more “buttoned-down” commentary from him until network executives encouraged him to be himself — especially after seeing his potential in person during the U.S. Olympic Trials.
In testing, Snoop did casual video interviews with some Olympic athletes about their sports, including a women’s basketball player. A’ja Wilson, gymnast Sunisa Leeskateboarder Jagger Eaton and beach volleyball players Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng. He met with Lyles and participated in a 200 meter race – clocking 34.44 seconds – with NBC analyst and former Trinidad track and field star Ato Boldon and former US national champion Wallace Spearmon.
“This is what I do. I do this every day,” said the rapper, who had already become a fan favorite during the Tokyo Games, when he and Kevin Hart made in-studio comments to Peacock in what he called a “layup exercise.”
“That’s why it’s not difficult for me,” he said. “It’s not like acting. The parts we do. They are comfortable. They are not stretched or forced. It’s me being me.”
Snoop’s presence in Paris is part of NBC’s bid to increase ratings in infusing coverage with pop culture. So far, the American broadcaster’s strategy has worked, combined with the star power of American Olympians like Biles, Katie Ledecky and Sha’Carri Richardson. Over a five-day period beginning with the opening ceremony on July 26, the company on average 34 million people per day watching on NBC, cable networks and Peacock, up from 19 million in the same period in Tokyo.
On Saturday, the network attracted almost 35 million, doubling the numbers from Tokyo’s second Saturday.
Tirico credits Snoop with being an important part of NBC’s coverage. He said the rapper’s hard work matches his creative talent.
“This license to color outside the lines is what makes the great, great. He knows how to do that and keep his image looking good,” said the sportscaster, who worked with Snoop on brainstorming sessions. “I’m not surprised because I saw the process in some pre-meetings. He added more than I ever imagined he would.”
Snoop has come a long way since breaking out 30 years ago as part of the West Coast gangsta rap scene with Dr. Dre in a career marked by multiple brushes with the law. He branched out into acting in films like “Training Day” and “Starsky & Hutch,” and as a reality TV star with “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner.”
“But remember, I’m a rapper. So no rapper has ever done what I’m doing,” said Snoop, who first showed off his on-camera commentary capabilities in his viral rendition of the Jake Paul-Nate Robinson boxing match in 2020.
“These are limitations to the field I come from,” he said. “Rappers shouldn’t do that. I tend to do the unthinkable.”
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