Why are people so surprised Snoop Dogg performed at the pro-Trump event, the Crypto Ball, in Washington, DC on Jan. 17?
Just a year ago Snoop said:
"I have nothing but love for Donald Trump. Donald Trump? He ain't done nothing wrong to me. He has done only great things for me. He pardoned Michael Harris."
Michael "Harry-O" Harris co-founded Death Row Records with Suge Knight in 1991. It's the West Coast hip-hop label that introduced Dr. Dre and Snoop to the world. Harris was convicted of drug trafficking and attempted murder in Los Angeles in 1990 and spent 30 years in jail until Trump commuted his sentence in 2020. Harris claims he did not commit the murder.
When Trump was leaving the White House, he commuted 70 sentences, including Harris'. But Trump almost didn't pardoin him because he was upset with Snoop.
Snoop vs. Trump
Snoop Dogg's about-face on Trump dates back to 2017 when he depicted the then President as a clown in his "Lavender" video.
After another clown is killed by a cop, Snoop encounters "Ronald Klump," and while hitting a blunt, he aims a fake gun at him, fires and the word BANG emerges from the gun, like in a cartoon. Later in the scene, Snoop passes the blunt to another clown, who also threatens Klump.
Trump responded at Twitter:
Can you imagine what the outcry would be if SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!
In 2016, Snoop backed Hillary Clinton for president and called 2017 Trump inauguration performers "jigaboos" and "Uncle Toms." However in 2025, unlike then, several rappers have swtiched to Trump, including Snoop, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy who all performed at the Crypto.com event. Nelly also pledged support for Trump, as has Carrie Underwood, who will sing "America the Beautiful" at the Jan. 20 inauguration.
Whither Snoop Dogg?
The popular rapper doesn't care much about his popularity or he wouldn't antagonize fans, as he's doing now and did last year with the failed Solo Stove campaign.
Music journalist Touré noted on CNN's NewsNight with Abby Phillip that Snoop is not political and it's a capitalistic move for him. But by adding Harris' release into the equation, Snoop has found a credible reason to switich parties.
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