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Snoop's side quests: Beyond the Olympics, rapper has proved versatility from cooking to wrestling

Snoop's side quests: Beyond the Olympics, rapper has proved versatility from cooking to wrestling
At its heart. The Olympics is about moments and not medals. So here's my podium for our all time Paris moments. I'm going to start with the bronze. I'm giving the bronze to Calvin Broadus Junior and William Drayton Junior. Those are the names on their official Olympic credentials, but you know them as Snoop Dogg and Flavor Flav. If you would have told my teenage self that someday these two would basically become the patron saints of the Paris Olympics. I would have lost that bet. Snoop came in as the official cheerleader for team USA and he's brought in energy and wonder to the games. His curiosity about sports that we often only pay attention to every four years is infectious. He's basically become *** global ambassador. And anytime you bring your bestie Martha Stewart along for the ride, it's *** good thing when women's water polo team captain Maggie Steffens asked for some support for her team. It was Flavor Flave who named himself their official hype then brought the hype and the clock everywhere. My favorite outfit plan is right now. This is our Hearst Television Olympic Pin. I'd like to give this to you. I gave him one of our hurst Olympic team pins and you would have thought I'd given him *** gold medal. These guys have reminded us that athletes deserve our support and respect. My silver medal is going to be *** tie between the athletes and their fans. There are few things in life that are global unifying events. The Olympics is one that reminds us to peacefully celebrate the hard work and excellence of sport. The Paris Olympics is basically *** do over for the Olympic movement. Athletes have described *** sense of joy in Paris that they haven't experienced in years because of the pandemic restrictions that banned family and friends at the last two games, Paris fans are next level in stadiums, they cheer for all athletes whether or not they wear their team colors and my gold. I'm giving that to the city of Paris becoming only the second city to host three summer Olympics. This city has reinvented what an Olympics can be. Its bid included an emphasis on sustainability and not going broke by relying on infrastructure, public transportation and venues in urban areas where landmarks have provided exquisite inspiration. The Olympic motto is Sidi Altius Fortius commun and this is where my four years of high school Latin actually pays off stronger, faster, higher together. All of that has been on full display in Paris and it's been magnificent at the Paris Olympics. I'm Deirdre Fitzpatrick.
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Snoop's side quests: Beyond the Olympics, rapper has proved versatility from cooking to wrestling
Although he is most prominently known for his decades-long rap career and being everyone’s “uncle,” Snoop Dogg has proven his talent extends beyond what he does in the recording studio.Video above: Hearst Olympic Correspondent Deirdre Fitzpatrick awards her medals for the Paris OlympicsThat’s been evident the past two weeks, as Snoop became a breakout star of the Paris Olympics, bearing the torch, hitting the gym with the U.S. Olympic weightlifting team and freestyling to horses trotting during the dressage competition.He also performed, along with Dr. Dre, at the closing ceremony to hand off the games to its 2028 host city: Los Angeles.It’s the latest in a series of “side quests” (extra adventures outside the world of music) by the hip-hop legend — from co-hosting a cooking show with Martha Stewart to unexpectedly stepping in during a Wrestlemania match — that have made him a social media sensation and keep fans amazed at his versatility.The D-O-G-G OlympicsSnoop Dogg’s time in Paris for the 2024 Olympics left the world with one question: is there anything he can’t do?Before the Games kicked off, he joined athletes at the U.S. Olympic trials, where he ran the 200-meter dash in 34.44 seconds and got a lesson in pole vaulting.He tested his swimming skills, joining Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, for a special swimming lesson as part of NBC's coverage. He also practiced fencing, weightlifting and even has his own Olympic pin that features him blowing clouds of smoke that form the Olympic rings.One of the artist’s most important jobs at the Games was bearing the Olympic torch. He carried the highly-recognized symbol through Saint-Denis, smiling and blowing kisses to fans chanting his name.From first pitch to the play-by-playIn June, Snoop went viral for his unique commentary at the Reds vs. Brewers game.After stepping on the field to throw the game’s first pitch, the hip-hop star did not hesitate to pull out his rap skills, spitting rhymes on the spot during several plays. “Give him a single. He does like to mingle, and my favorite jingle is the S to the N double O, no no,” he said during the broadcast as Brewers catcher Gary Sànchez reached first base.He also referenced his classic hit “Gin and Juice,” saying, “They laid back with they mind on they money right now,” referring to the team’s “Brew Crew.”Snoop’s ElbowSnoop is not new to the sports commentator role. In 2023, he co-hosted a segment between matches at WrestleMania with wrestler Mike “The Miz” Mizanin.Mizanin faced Shane McMahon in a match that resulted in McMahon tearing his quad before the event ended.To no one’s surprise, the Doggfather stepped in.Snoop finished the match, landing two punches and coming out on top after crushing The Miz with a People’s Elbow, The Rock’s iconic move.Employee of the MonthImagine pulling up to a drive-thru window and having Snoop Dogg hand over your order.This happened to hundreds of lucky fans when he visited a “Raising Cane’s” restaurant in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 2021.The collaboration was to support the franchise’s Drive-Thru Comedy Series and his “Snoop Dogg presents Algorithm” album.He gave away copies of the CD while posing for photos and cracking jokes with customers.He also earned Employee of the Month in 2019 while working at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Los Angeles to promote their plant-based menu and Beyond Sausage Sandwich.A lasting friendship with Martha StewartIn 2016, the rapper co-hosted an Emmy-nominated cooking show with his best friend, Martha Stewart. In “Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Party Challenge,” the duo was joined by celebrity guests like Paris Hilton and Usher and competed in several culinary challenges.The show shared recipes for specialty dishes and gave viewers a closer look into Stewart and Snoop’s special friendship.The two reunited at the Paris Olympics for the dressage competition. Stewart rated Snoop’s outfits as they reminisced about how their bond has grown over the years.Snoop’s fun won’t end with the Olympics. He will share his musical expertise as a coach on NBC’s “The Voice” alongside Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire and Michael Bublé.

Although he is most prominently known for his decades-long rap career and being everyone’s “uncle,” Snoop Dogg has proven his talent extends beyond what he does in the recording studio.

Video above: Hearst Olympic Correspondent Deirdre Fitzpatrick awards her medals for the Paris Olympics

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That’s been evident the past two weeks, as Snoop became a breakout star of the Paris Olympics, bearing the torch, hitting the gym with the U.S. Olympic weightlifting team and freestyling to horses trotting during the dressage competition.

He also performed, along with Dr. Dre, at the closing ceremony to hand off the games to its 2028 host city: Los Angeles.

It’s the latest in a series of “side quests” (extra adventures outside the world of music) by the hip-hop legend — from co-hosting a cooking show with Martha Stewart to unexpectedly stepping in during a Wrestlemania match — that have made him a social media sensation and keep fans amazed at his versatility.

The D-O-G-G Olympics

Snoop Dogg’s time in Paris for the 2024 Olympics left the world with one question: is there anything he can’t do?

Before the Games kicked off, he joined athletes at the U.S. Olympic trials, where he ran the 200-meter dash in 34.44 seconds and got a lesson in pole vaulting.

He tested his swimming skills, joining Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, for a special swimming lesson as part of NBC's coverage. He also practiced fencing, weightlifting and even has his own Olympic pin that features him blowing clouds of smoke that form the Olympic rings.

One of the artist’s most important jobs at the Games was bearing the Olympic torch. He carried the highly-recognized symbol through Saint-Denis, smiling and blowing kisses to fans chanting his name.

From first pitch to the play-by-play

In June, Snoop went viral for his unique commentary at the Reds vs. Brewers game.

After stepping on the field to throw the game’s first pitch, the hip-hop star did not hesitate to pull out his rap skills, spitting rhymes on the spot during several plays. “Give him a single. He does like to mingle, and my favorite jingle is the S to the N double O, no no,” he said during the broadcast as Brewers catcher Gary Sànchez reached first base.

He also referenced his classic hit “Gin and Juice,” saying, “They laid back with they mind on they money right now,” referring to the team’s “Brew Crew.”

Snoop’s Elbow

Snoop is not new to the sports commentator role. In 2023, he co-hosted a segment between matches at WrestleMania with wrestler Mike “The Miz” Mizanin.

Mizanin faced Shane McMahon in a match that resulted in McMahon tearing his quad before the event ended.

To no one’s surprise, the Doggfather stepped in.

Snoop finished the match, landing two punches and coming out on top after crushing The Miz with a People’s Elbow, The Rock’s iconic move.

Employee of the Month

Imagine pulling up to a drive-thru window and having Snoop Dogg hand over your order.

This happened to hundreds of lucky fans when he visited a “Raising Cane’s” restaurant in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 2021.

The collaboration was to support the franchise’s Drive-Thru Comedy Series and his “Snoop Dogg presents Algorithm” album.

He gave away copies of the CD while posing for photos and cracking jokes with customers.

He also earned Employee of the Month in 2019 while working at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Los Angeles to promote their plant-based menu and Beyond Sausage Sandwich.

A lasting friendship with Martha Stewart

In 2016, the rapper co-hosted an Emmy-nominated cooking show with his best friend, Martha Stewart. In “Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Party Challenge,” the duo was joined by celebrity guests like Paris Hilton and Usher and competed in several culinary challenges.

The show shared recipes for specialty dishes and gave viewers a closer look into Stewart and Snoop’s special friendship.

The two reunited at the Paris Olympics for the dressage competition. Stewart rated Snoop’s outfits as they reminisced about how their bond has grown over the years.

Snoop’s fun won’t end with the Olympics. He will share his musical expertise as a coach on NBC’s “The Voice” alongside Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire and Michael Bublé.