The Unlikely Duo: Snoop Dogg and Jenni Rivera’s Friendship Explained

Snoop Dogg has never been shy about expressing his love for the late Jenni Rivera. The connection between the two artists dates back to their days as students at Long Beach Polytechnic High School in California in the 1980s.

In fact, this school has witnessed the youth of talented artists and athletes who have gained public recognition over the years.

Think Nate Dogg, Lita Ford, Cameron Diaz, and Jenni’s brother Lupillo Rivera.

However, few know about Snoop Dogg and Jenni Rivera’s friendship

After high school, Snoop Dogg became one of the most iconic rappers on the West Coast in the 1990s. At the same time, La Gran Señora Jenni Rivera and her brother Lupillo embraced their Latino roots and built notable careers in regional Mexican music.

For a long time, the public was unaware that the Riveras and Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. (Snoop Dogg’s actual name) were not only high school classmates but also very good friends.

Unfortunately, this revelation came after Jenni Rivera’s tragic death in a plane crash on December 9, 2012.

Snoop Dogg shared the grief of fans and family after Rivera’s death

Tio Snoop, as the rapper is known among his Latino fans, shared his grief on social media and the mourning of fans and family members after the tragic accident.

“Rest in peace, Jenni Rivera — a sweet lady with a beautiful voice whom we will miss,” he wrote on Twitter. “We were supposed to do a song together. I’m very sad.”

Seven years after Rivera’s death, the rapper once again made heartfelt statements. This time, it was during an interview on the show “En Vivo” where Snoop Dogg highlighted Jenni Rivera’s importance among her fans and the residents of the coastal city where they grew up.

“We love Jenni Rivera. In Long Beach, she’s the best. We are big fans of her music, what she represents, and her legacy lives on,” he said.

“Our high school, Poly High School, had a multicultural mix of people. There were Hispanics, Asians, African Americans, whites — you name it,” he continued. 

“And we all loved each other because we went to the same school. It wasn’t about not being the same race; it was about respecting each other’s music and supporting one another. Like I said, [Rivera] is one of the greatest to come out of Long Beach. Jenni Rivera, we love you, and we miss you,” he added.

Maybe now it’s time for a well-deserved tribute

Just as he announced seven years ago, Snoop Dogg seems ready to finally release a song in tribute to his high school friend.

The rapper has teased the possibility of a collaboration in several Instagram posts, as he is seen listening to Jenni Rivera’s music.

In addition, it is well known that Snoop Dogg has experimented with regional Mexican music over the past few years, first with “Qué Maldición,” the single he released with Banda MS in 2020. Then, in 2021, the iconic rapper joined forces with Jenni Rivera’s brother Lupillo on the song “Grandes Ligas,” featuring legendary Cypress Hill member B-Real and Mexican rappers Aleman and Santa Fe Klan.

Shortly after, while promoting his new song “La Fiesta de mi Pueblo,” featuring Julian Torres and Mariachi Cenzontle, Snoop Dogg again hinted at the possibility of releasing a collaboration with Jenni Rivera.

A posthumous collaboration?

For those asking the obvious, collaborating with a deceased artist is not easy. However, Jenni Rivera’s children have revealed that there is a treasure trove of unreleased recordings of their mother.

The possibility of Snoop Dogg and Jenni Rivera’s voices coming together for a collaboration is simply exciting.

Their different styles and backgrounds could create a unique fusion of genres, appeal to a diverse audience, and transcend cultural boundaries.

It would be a testament to their talents and a celebration of unity and cultural exchange.