Death is a thief. It doesn't care about fame, money, or how many platinum records you have hanging on your wall. In late 2019, the Broadus family—led by the legendary Snoop Dogg—learned this in the most crushing way possible. Most fans know Snoop as the ultimate "cool uncle" of hip-hop, but behind the scenes, he is a deeply devoted family man. When news broke that his infant grandson had passed away, the internet went into a tailspin. People wanted answers. They wanted to know why.
Kai Love was only ten days old.
Ten days. That is barely enough time to learn the scent of a baby’s head or pick out a favorite onesie. Kai was the son of Corde Broadus, Snoop’s eldest son, and his partner Soraya Love. He arrived on September 15, 2019, and by September 25, he was gone. It’s a kind of pain that stays in your bones.
What happened to Snoop Dogg’s grandchild in the NICU?
The details are sparse because the family deserves that peace, but we know Kai spent his entire short life in the hospital. Specifically, he was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Corde shared a video after the passing that showed a dry-erase board outside the hospital room. It had a "Plan for the Day" written on it: Love + Light.
It’s a haunting image.
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While the family never released an official medical cause of death to the public, the context of a ten-day stay in the NICU suggests complications from birth or a congenital condition that the little warrior just couldn't overcome. Some speculated about SIDS, but since Kai was still under hospital care, it’s more likely related to the complexities of a premature or difficult birth.
Corde was incredibly open about the final moments. He mentioned that Kai "died in my arms." There is a strange, heavy beauty in that. To hold your child as they transition is a weight most of us will never have to carry, and Corde seemed to find a spiritual path through the wreckage. He didn't post about anger. He didn't post about blame. He talked about "energy" and "graduation."
The family’s public mourning
Snoop himself didn't go on a press tour. He didn't release a formal statement through a publicist. Instead, he did what he always does—he went to the "Safe Haven" of the stage. He posted a video about trusting God when you don't understand the "why" of a situation.
His wife, Shante Broadus, was more vocal. She posted a video of herself tearfully singing along to "The Love We Had Stays on My Mind" by The Dells. It was raw. It was the kind of grief that doesn't have a filter. Kai was their fifth grandchild, and the loss rippled through the entire Broadus clan.
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- Kai Love: Born Sept 15, Died Sept 25.
- Parents: Corde Broadus and Soraya Love.
- Legacy: The Kai Heart Foundation.
Life after the loss of Kai Love
You don't just "get over" something like this. You just learn to carry it. Corde and Soraya eventually turned their grief into something tangible. They started the Kai Heart Foundation.
It’s not just a name on a piece of paper. They use Kai’s birthday every year to do real work. We’re talking toy drives, clothing donations, and book giveaways. Soraya once posted that the purpose Kai gave them was to bless others because they were blessed. It’s a way to make those ten days mean something forever.
Honestly, it’s a lesson in perspective. We see these celebrities on Instagram living "perfect" lives, but they bleed the same as anyone else. Snoop’s daughter, Cori, has also dealt with massive health scares, including a stroke at a young age. This family has been through the fire, but they seem to stay glued together.
Why the story still resonates
People still search for what happened to Snoop Dogg’s grandchild because it’s a reminder of our own fragility. It’s a "glitch in the Matrix" moment where the person who seems to have everything loses the one thing money can't buy back: time.
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If you are looking for a specific medical diagnosis, you won't find it. The Broadus family kept that private, as is their right. But the story isn't about a diagnosis. It’s about how a family handles the unthinkable. They chose "Love + Light" even when the room was dark.
Navigating family grief and legacy
If you're following this story because you're dealing with your own loss, there are a few things to take away from how the Broadus family handled Kai's passing.
- Privacy is a Tool: You don't owe the world every detail of your trauma. Snoop and Corde shared what they wanted and kept the rest for themselves.
- Redirect the Energy: The Kai Heart Foundation is a textbook example of "proactive grieving." Finding a cause to support in the name of a lost loved one can be the only thing that makes the mornings bearable.
- Lean on Faith or Philosophy: Whether it was Snoop's posts about God or Corde's talk of spiritual energy, they both used a higher framework to process the "why."
To honor the memory of Kai Love and support families going through similar NICU struggles, consider looking into local organizations that provide support for grieving parents. Organizations like Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support offer resources that help bridge the gap when the hospital discharge doesn't go the way it was supposed to. You can also look into donating to neonatal research or local toy drives, which mirrors the mission the Broadus family took up in Kai's name.