Snoop Dogg Reflects on 2Pac’s Role in Raising His Son: “He Was a Better Dad Than Me”

Snoop Dogg has opened up about the significant role late rapper 2Pac played in helping him raise his first-born son, Corde, before the hip-hop legend’s tragic death in 1996. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Snoop fondly recalled the mid-1990s, during the recording of his album Tha Doggfather, when 2Pac stepped in as a father figure to young Corde.

“I was bringing [Corde] to the studio with me,” Snoop shared. “Tupac loved him like his own nephew. There were times when I was so focused on rapping that I’d forget basic things like feeding him. Tupac was there, looking after him, and teaching me how to be a better dad.”

Snoop, reflecting on those moments, admitted, “Tupac was a better dad than me. He was training me on how to be present, even when I wasn’t paying attention.”

The close bond between the two rap icons continues to influence Snoop, who has paid tribute to 2Pac in various ways over the years. In July, Snoop honored 2Pac with a special release through his newly opened weed dispensary, S.W.E.D. (Smoke Weed Every Day), in Los Angeles. As part of a limited-edition line, Snoop featured 2Pac on Death Row Cannabis products, with each jar of premium cannabis flower accompanied by an exclusive photo of the “Dear Mama” rapper.

Snoop also reminisced about the moment 2Pac handed him his first blunt in 1993 at the wrap party for Poetic Justice, a memory that cemented their deep friendship. “That first blunt sparked a friendship that ran deep,” Snoop said, adding that while fans will always have 2Pac’s music, this tribute is another way to connect with what was meaningful to him.

Snoop’s S.W.E.D. shop offers more than just cannabis, with fans able to explore a variety of music memorabilia, including a section dedicated to Snoop’s classic album Doggystyle and a replica of the Death Row electric chair. The tribute to 2Pac serves as a reminder of their lasting friendship and the impact they had on each other’s lives.