By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Los Angeles, the cinematic landscape of hip-hop history is poised for a significant expansion as Universal Pictures continues to assemble the talent for its upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic. In a series of high-profile casting announcements, the studio has revealed the actors who will portray some of the most pivotal figures in the "Doggfather’s" life and career. Among the most notable additions is SwayvoTwain, also known as Michael D’Angelo Archer Jr., who has been tapped to step into the legendary shoes of Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G. The casting brings a unique layer of musical royalty to the production, as SwayvoTwain is the son of neo-soul icons D’Angelo and Angie Stone. His inclusion highlights the film’s commitment to finding performers with deep-rooted connections to the culture they are representing.
Joining SwayvoTwain in this expansive ensemble is G Perico, a modern staple of the West Coast rap scene known for his distinct style and deep ties to Los Angeles street culture. Perico has been cast as Big Reecie Cup, a figure from Snoop’s early years. Additionally, the production has looked toward rising talent Bentley Green to portray RBX, the lyrical powerhouse and former Death Row Records affiliate known for his guest verses on The Chronic and Doggystyle. Green, who first gained national attention as a "kid rapper" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, has since transitioned into a serious acting career, and his casting as the gravel-voiced RBX suggests a focus on capturing the authentic energy of the early 1990s G-funk era.
These new additions bolster a cast that is already anchored by Jonathan Daviss, the breakout star of the Netflix series Outer Banks. Daviss faces the monumental task of portraying Calvin Broadus Jr.—the man the world knows as Snoop Doggy Dogg—during his meteoric rise from the streets of Long Beach to global superstardom. The film aims to chronicle not just the musical milestones, but the personal trials and cultural shifts that defined Snoop’s early career. This includes his complex relationship with his wife, Shante Broadus, who will be played by Laya DeLeon Hayes. Hayes, known for her work in The Equalizer, will portray a woman who has remained a constant in Snoop’s life for nearly three decades, providing the emotional backbone to a story often dominated by the chaos of the music industry.
The supporting cast features a "who’s who" of 1990s hip-hop royalty. Myles Bullock has been cast as the visionary producer Dr. Dre, whose partnership with Snoop redefined the sound of the West Coast. Camron Jones takes on the role of Tupac Shakur, a casting choice that will inevitably be scrutinized given the late rapper’s mythic status. Algee Smith, who previously showcased his range in Euphoria and The Hate U Give, will play Warren G, the "Regulator" himself and a childhood friend of Snoop. Rounding out the executive side of the narrative is Tre Hale as Suge Knight, the formidable and controversial co-founder of Death Row Records whose presence loomed large over the entire industry during the mid-90s.
Behind the lens, Universal has enlisted director Craig Brewer to helm the project. Brewer is no stranger to the intersection of music and film, having directed the Academy Award-winning Hustle & Flow as well as Black Snake Moan and Dolemite Is My Name. His ability to capture the grit and soul of regional music scenes makes him a natural fit for a story rooted so deeply in the specific geography of Southern California. The screenplay is based on an original treatment by Joe Robert Cole, the acclaimed writer behind Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Cole’s involvement suggests a narrative that will look beyond the surface-level tropes of the music biopic to explore the broader social and political themes of the era, including the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots and the legal battles that nearly derailed Snoop’s career.
The production is being overseen by Death Row Pictures, with the company’s president, Sara Ramaker, serving as a producer alongside Snoop Dogg himself. This ensures that the film maintains a high level of authenticity and access to the personal archives of the man at the center of the story. This biopic marks the first major theatrical release under a comprehensive deal between Death Row Pictures and NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios, signaling a long-term commitment to bringing hip-hop stories to the silver screen with the scale and prestige they deserve.
Universal Pictures has a successful track record in this genre, having produced the 2015 blockbuster Straight Outta Compton. That film, which chronicled the rise and fall of N.W.A., was a critical and commercial juggernaut, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and proving that there is a massive global audience for well-crafted hip-hop history. Interestingly, Straight Outta Compton featured a brief appearance by Snoop Dogg, played at the time by Lakeith Stanfield. While Stanfield’s portrayal was well-received, this new film offers a much more granular look at Snoop’s individual journey, moving him from a supporting character in the N.W.A. saga to the protagonist of his own epic.
The inclusion of The Notorious B.I.G. as a character, played by SwayvoTwain, indicates that the film will not shy away from the East Coast-West Coast rivalry that dominated the headlines in the mid-1990s. While Snoop was famously a peacemaker in later years, his early career was inextricably linked to the tension between Death Row and Bad Boy Records. By casting the son of D’Angelo—a man who was a contemporary of Biggie and a pillar of the 90s R&B scene—the production adds a layer of historical resonance. It serves as a reminder of how interconnected the worlds of hip-hop and soul were during that golden era.
The film’s timeline is expected to cover the recording of the seminal album Doggystyle, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in 1993 and remains one of the fastest-selling debut albums in history. It will likely also delve into the infamous 1993 murder trial in which Snoop was eventually acquitted, a period that coincided with his rise to fame and added a dark, reality-driven edge to his public persona. The contrast between his smooth, laid-back delivery and the high-stakes drama of his personal life provides a rich vein of conflict for the filmmakers to mine.
As the production moves forward, the industry is watching closely to see how the film handles the legacies of figures like Tupac and Biggie, who have been the subjects of their own biopics in the past. By placing them within the context of Snoop’s narrative, director Craig Brewer has the opportunity to show a different side of these icons—not as solo legends, but as peers, rivals, and friends within a rapidly evolving musical landscape.
The yet-to-be-titled biopic is currently slated for a theatrical release on August 6, 2027. While that date is still several years away, the meticulous nature of the casting and the caliber of the creative team involved suggest that Universal is taking the necessary time to ensure the film meets the high expectations of Snoop’s global fanbase. For a man who has successfully transitioned from a controversial gangsta rapper to a beloved media personality, Olympic torchbearer, and entrepreneur, the story of his origins remains a foundational piece of American pop culture.
In the decades since his debut, Snoop Dogg has become a symbol of longevity and reinvention. However, for many fans, the "Death Row era" remains his most influential period. By revisiting this time with a fresh cast and the backing of a major studio, the upcoming biopic aims to cement Snoop’s place in the cinematic pantheon of music legends. As the project enters its next phase of development, the addition of SwayvoTwain, G Perico, and Bentley Green serves as a promising sign that the film will stay true to the roots of the culture while introducing a new generation of talent to the world.
