If you’ve ever seen a video of Snoop Dogg, you’ve seen the blue. You’ve seen the bandana, the "C-Walk," and the specific way he throws up signs that look like a "C." It isn't just a fashion choice. For decades, the most common question following his name has been: what gang is snoop in? The answer is straightforward but the context is messy. Calvin Broadus Jr. is a member of the Rollin' 20s Crips out of Long Beach, California.
He didn't just stumble into it. Growing up in the Eastside of Long Beach during the late 70s and 80s, the streets were a different beast. For a kid like Calvin, joining the Rollin' 20s wasn't necessarily about looking for trouble; it was often the default setting for survival and social structure in his neighborhood. You have to understand that back then, the Crips weren't one giant monolith. They were a collection of sets, often at war with each other just as much as they were with the Bloods.
The Long Beach Connection: Rollin' 20s Explained
So, let's talk about the set. The Rollin' 20s Crips are a massive presence in the Eastside of Long Beach. Unlike some other Crip sets in Los Angeles that might occupy just a few blocks, the 20s covered a significant territory. It gave Snoop a certain level of "street cred" that most rappers would kill for today, but it also came with a heavy price tag.
Basically, the 20s are known for their distinct culture. While many Crip sets wear the standard royal blue, the Rollin' 20s have historically used yellow or gold accents—a nod to the colors of the Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where many members, including Snoop, went to school.
Snoop’s involvement wasn't some peripheral thing. He was active. When you listen to Doggystyle, specifically tracks like "Serial Killa" or "Who Am I (What's My Name)?", the references to Long Beach and the 20s aren't metaphors. They are geographical coordinates and loyalty oaths. He was a product of his environment. Honest.
Life Before the Fame
Before he was a global icon who hangs out with Martha Stewart, he was just "Snoopy," a skinny kid who was talented at football and singing in the church choir but also spent time on the corner. By the time he was a teenager, he was already deep into the lifestyle.
It wasn't a game. He spent time in and out of jail after graduating high school. In fact, many people forget that when Dr. Dre discovered him through a mixtape, Snoop was essentially a street guy who happened to have a flow smoother than silk. His gang affiliation was the very thing that gave his music the "G-Funk" authenticity that redefined the 90s.
The 1993 Murder Trial and the Turning Point
You can't talk about what gang Snoop is in without talking about the 1993 murder trial. This was the moment where the reality of the gang lifestyle collided head-on with his rising superstardom. Snoop and his bodyguard, McKinley Lee, were charged with the murder of Philip Woldemariam, a member of a rival gang.
The trial was a media circus.
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It was a nightmare for Death Row Records. But it also proved that Snoop’s ties to the Rollin' 20s weren't just for the cameras. The prosecution tried to use his gang affiliation to paint him as a cold-blooded killer. Ultimately, he was acquitted in 1996, but the experience changed him. It didn't make him "leave" the gang—because in that world, you don't really just "quit"—but it shifted how he represented it.
He realized that he could be a "big homie" or an ambassador rather than a soldier on the front lines.
Why the "Crip" Brand Stuck
Even as he became a pop-culture darling, Snoop never stopped "blue-flagging." If you watch his Super Bowl Halftime performance from a couple of years ago, he was literally wearing a blue bandana-print outfit. He was C-Walking on the world's biggest stage.
Why? Because for Snoop, being a Crip is about his heritage. It’s about Long Beach. It’s about the people he grew up with who didn't make it out. It’s a brand, sure, but it’s also his identity. He managed to do something almost impossible: he took a hyper-local, violent street organization and turned its aesthetic into a global luxury brand.
Does Snoop Dogg Still Have "Active" Ties?
This is where things get nuanced. If you ask a police officer in Long Beach, they’ll tell you he’s still a documented gang member. If you ask a kid in the neighborhood, he’s a legend who takes care of the community.
Snoop isn't out there "putting in work" or doing the things a young initiate would do. He’s 50-plus years old. In gang culture, he’s an elder statesman. He uses his influence to mediate peace between sets. He’s been involved in numerous "gang summits" aimed at reducing violence in Los Angeles.
However, he still pays his dues. Not necessarily in "blood," but in support. He employs people from his neighborhood. He funds youth football leagues (the Snoop Youth Football League has famously sent kids to the NFL). He provides a path out for people who were in the same position he was in thirty years ago.
The Cultural Impact of the Blue Bandana
The impact of Snoop’s affiliation on hip-hop cannot be overstated. Before him, gang references were often dark and gritty (think N.W.A.). Snoop made it look... cool? Laid back? He brought a melodic, almost effortless vibe to the lifestyle.
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He didn't shy away from the terminology either:
- Crip Walking: A dance move that was once a sign of disrespect to rivals, now a TikTok trend.
- Language: Replacing "b" with "c" or using terms like "cuzz."
- The Color Blue: It became synonymous with his entire persona.
It’s actually kinda wild when you think about it. You have grandmas in the suburbs who love Snoop Dogg, yet he is openly repping a gang that the FBI classifies as a major criminal enterprise. That is the power of charisma.
The Controversy: Can You Ever Truly Leave?
Critics often argue that by continuing to rep the Rollin' 20s, Snoop is glamorizing a lifestyle that kills thousands of young Black men every year. They aren't entirely wrong. When a superstar flashes signs, it sends a message to kids that being a Crip is a path to wealth and fame.
But there’s another side.
If Snoop were to totally disavow his past, he would lose his protection and his "pass" in the neighborhood. More importantly, he’d lose the ability to influence those still in the life. By staying "in" but moving "up," he acts as a bridge. He shows that you can come from the 20s and end up owning a software company or a wine brand.
Understanding the Rollin' 20s Today
The Rollin' 20s Crips still exist today, and they are still active in Long Beach. However, the landscape has changed. The internet changed everything. Gangs are now more decentralized.
Snoop’s relationship with the set is now more about legacy. He often references "20 points" or "Eastside" in his social media posts. For him, it’s about home. It’s about the corner of 20th and Lewis. It’s about the memories of a Long Beach that has since been gentrified in some areas but remains rugged in others.
What You Should Take Away From Snoop’s Affiliation
If you’re looking at Snoop Dogg and wondering what gang he is in, you’re looking at a man who successfully navigated one of the most dangerous social structures in America and came out as a billionaire.
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It’s important to distinguish between the image and the reality. Snoop’s image is "Uncle Snoop"—the weed-smoking, joke-cracking guy. The reality is a man who survived the crack era in Long Beach, a high-profile murder trial, and the "East Coast-West Coast" rap war.
His membership in the Rollin' 20s Crips is the foundation of his career. Without it, there is no Snoop Doggy Dogg. There is no Doggystyle.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you're trying to understand this world better or looking for the "truth" behind the headlines, keep these points in mind:
- Look at the Geography: Gangs in Southern California are tied to specific blocks. If you want to understand Snoop, look at the history of the Eastside of Long Beach.
- Research the Music: Go back and listen to his early 90s guest verses. The language he uses is a coded map of his affiliations.
- Understand the "Elder" Role: Recognize that in gang culture, "membership" changes as you age. It shifts from being a soldier to being a provider or a mentor.
- Acknowledge the Duality: You can appreciate Snoop’s contribution to music and his charity work while also acknowledging the violent history of the organization he represents.
The story of Snoop Dogg is the story of the American Dream, but with a blue tint. He didn't escape his past; he brought it with him and made the world accept it. Whether he’s on stage or in a boardroom, he remains a Rollin' 20 Crip from Long Beach. That fact is as permanent as his tattoos.
To really get the full picture, look into the "Gang Truce" movements of the early 90s. Snoop was a key figure in trying to bring the Crips and Bloods together after the L.A. Riots. It shows that even back then, he was thinking bigger than just his own set. He knew the violence wasn't sustainable. He chose a different path—the path of the "G"—which, in his world, eventually came to mean "Gentleman." Or maybe just "Greatness."
Either way, the blue bandana isn't going anywhere.
Next Steps for Deep Context:
To understand the specific environment that produced the Rollin' 20s, research the history of the Eastside of Long Beach during the deindustrialization of the 1970s. This provides the economic context for why these sets formed in the first place. Additionally, watching the documentary "The Art of Rap" or reading "Can't Stop Won't Stop" by Jeff Chang offers a broader look at how gang culture and hip-hop became inextricably linked during Snoop’s formative years.