Snoop Dogg’s debut as a coach on “The Voice” has been met with excitement and debate, but beyond his coaching, the rap icon’s unexpected gift of chains also became a topic of conversation. What’s the deeper meaning behind these symbolic necklaces?
Snoop Dogg’s unexpected debut as a coach on “The Voice” certainly stirred up conversations. While many fans were thrilled to see the rap legend take on the new role, others weren’t sure what to expect from the hip-hop icon in a singing competition.
Snoop Dogg at the “1992” premiere on August 27, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
But it wasn’t just his coaching style that grabbed attention. The rapper’s unexpected gesture of gifting contestants custom chains added a layer of intrigue. However, these weren’t just ordinary necklaces — they were symbols with deep personal and cultural significance, representing much more than just jewelry.
Snoop Dogg photographed for season 26 of “The Voice” on July 10, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Snoop Dogg as a Coach on ‘The Voice’
In a surprising yet exciting twist for fans, Snoop Dogg joined the panel of coaches on the latest “The Voice” season, sitting alongside music powerhouses Michael Bublé, Gwen Stefani, and Reba McEntire.
The rapper’s inclusion brought a new energy to the competition, and his unique coaching style quickly became a talking point among his co-judges and viewers alike. Stefani, a fellow coach, couldn’t hide her excitement about Snoop Dogg’s presence on the show.
She shared, “He’s an original […] He can do anything. […] Snoop has this way about him that people feel safe. They can sense automatically that he cares so much and that he would be a good coach.”
Meanwhile, Bublé emphasized the rapper’s intellectual and emotional intelligence, saying, “Snoop Dogg is incredibly smart, talented. He’s a genius. I don’t think it’s going to surprise anybody in the audience that Snoop has a big heart. It’s hard not to love the guy.”
Michael Bublé, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg at the premiere of “The Voice” season 26 on September 9, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
McEntire also praised Snoop Dogg, highlighting his warm personality and versatility. “Snoop is a very diversified man. He’s beloved everywhere, and he’s so friendly, so fun, so talented, but his heart is what grabbed me more than anything,” she said.
However, despite the admiration from his co-judges, Snoop Dogg’s role as a coach received mixed reactions from some viewers.
Michael Bublé, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg at the premiere of “The Voice” season 26 on September 9, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Many praised his expertise and cool demeanor, with one person sharing on X, formerly known as Twitter, “@SnoopDogg I love you as a coach on the @NBCTheVoice !!!” Another person commented, “Coach for real! Gonna be a great season!”
A third person typed, “My favorite coach of all time!” “@SnoopDogg being a coach on The Voice is the best thing I’ve ever seen! #TheVoice,” someone else typed.
Snoop Dogg holding up a “Team Snoop” sign. | Source: YouTube/The Voice
The conversation continued, with one social media user sharing, “The ratings are going up. I love him.” Another person commented, “I’m going to start watching ‘The Voice’ again because of Snoop.”
“The Voice” audience holding up a “Team Snoop” sign. | Source: YouTube/The Voice
A third typed, “Snoop seems like an absolutely wonderful person. Someone that truly loves to mentor. The world needs more people that love to mentor.” A fourth added, “I’ve skipped a few seasons but I will be watching this season with Snoop and Michael Bublé 👀 ❤️ 😁.”
Snoop Dogg wearing the Death Row Records chain while performing at The O2 Arena on March 21, 2023, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
However, other social media users were unsure about a rapper coaching contestants on a singing show. “Someone wanna explain to me how and WHY Snoop Dogg is a judge/coach on a show based on SINGING?” one person shared.
“Why I just saw Snoop Dogg in a commercial for ‘The Voice’? He just be doing anything. Why would an aspiring singer want him as their vocal coach?” another person typed. A third person commented, “Please don’t tell me he’s a coach?”
Snoop Dogg’s Necklace Gift
While some social media users debated whether Snoop Dogg was the right fit for a coach on “The Voice,” others quickly noticed his special gesture during the show — gifting contestants with necklaces that carried deep personal and cultural significance.
The necklace in question was a Death Row Records chain adorned with the iconic logo of the hip-hop record label. This wasn’t just any jewelry; it symbolized a pivotal era in hip-hop’s history and Snoop Dogg’s journey there.
Snoop Dogg performing at The Source Awards on August 3, 1995, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Founded in 1991 by Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, The D.O.C., and Dick Griffey, Death Row Records was a powerhouse in shaping the West Coast hip-hop scene. The label was responsible for launching the careers of several rap legends, including Snoop Dogg.
His breakout came in the early ’90s when Death Row secured a deal to contribute to the soundtrack of the 1992 film “Deep Cover.” The title track, featuring Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, was Snoop’s first release following Dr. Dre’s departure from N.W.A.
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre backstage at The Source Awards on August 3, 1995, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
From there, the label produced monumental albums like Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic,” Snoop Dogg’s “Doggystyle,” and 2Pac’s “All Eyez on Me.” However, after years of success, Death Row Records struggled with internal turmoil, especially after the murder of Tupac Shakur and the departure of key artists, including Snoop Dogg.
The label eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2006 and changed ownership several times before the rapper purchased it in 2022, reclaiming the label that had launched his career.
Snoop Dogg wearing the Death Row Records chain on season 26 of “The Voice.” | Source: YouTube/The Voice
By giving contestants a Death Row Records chain, Snoop Dogg wasn’t just handing them a token of appreciation — he was passing on a legacy. These necklaces symbolized his journey from being a young rapper trying to find his way to becoming a cultural icon and business owner.
Snoop Dogg holding up the Death Row Records chain on season 26 of “The Voice.” | Source: YouTube/The Voice
It was a full-circle moment for the rapper, who had received his own Death Row chain from Suge Knight decades earlier. Now, as the label’s owner, he continued the tradition by offering the same gift to aspiring artists, marking their passage into the world of music under his mentorship.
Snoop Dogg holding up the Death Row Records chain on season 26 of “The Voice.” | Source: YouTube/The Voice
For hip-hop artists, jewelry has always been more than mere decoration; it’s a symbol of success, power, and belonging. By gifting these chains, Snoop Dogg made a personal gesture that solidified the rapper’s role as more than just a coach — he was a mentor helping to pave the way for the next generation of artists.
Snoop Dogg holding up the Death Row Records chain on season 26 of “The Voice.” | Source: YouTube/The Voice
A social media user typed, “I can’t sing. But I want to go on just for the cool necklace.” Someone else partly added, “Would still love a close-up of it. But at least I know what it means now.”
“Wonder how much those necklaces are worth,” another person shared. “I need that necklace,” one social media user wrote in part. “Are the stones and chain real?” another person asked. “That chain though,” another person typed in part.
In his debut season as a coach on “The Voice,” Snoop Dogg brought more than his expertise to the show. While his coaching may have sparked mixed reactions, his thoughtful gesture left a lasting impact, reminding everyone that Snoop Dogg’s influence goes far beyond music.
