Martha and Snoop: Entertainment’s Most Iconic Partnership
One is a hard-line gangsta rapper from Long Beach, California. The other is a famous lifestyle guru who showed us the secrets of kitchen, home and garden. Together, Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart have forged one of the strongest yet unlikeliest friendships in history.
Many iconic television duos capture our hearts because of their similarities, but Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg prove there’s more to friendship than obvious similarities. Read on to learn the secrets of this dynamic duo.
Martha Stewart’s Early Life
Martha Helen Kostyra was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1941. At age 10, she became a babysitter for the kids of three New York Yankees, including Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Gil McDonald. By the age of 15, she was a model and made her first television appearance in a commercial for Unilever.
During her adolescence, her mother taught her the basics of cooking and sewing, while her father was responsible for her early gardening skills. Both would serve her well in her future endeavors.
Snoop Dogg’s Early Life
Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., or Snoop Dogg, was born in Long Beach, California to Vernall Varnardo and Beverly Broadus. His father abandoned the family only three months after Snoop’s birth, leading the rapper to later take his stepfather’s name. Snoop sold candy, delivered newspapers and bagged groceries to help support his family growing up.
Calvin often rapped through the hallways in school. He says he drew large crowds, and “the principal would think there was a fight going on. It made me begin to realize that I had a gift.”
Martha Stewart’s Career
Martha began her adult career as a model for Chanel to pay tuition. She married Andrew Stewart in 1961 and completed school before becoming a stockbroker in 1967. The young couple purchased a nineteenth-century farmhouse in Westport, Connecticut that later became the model for her hit television series Martha Stewart Living. Martha also started a catering business.
Her husband became president of a publishing company and contracted Martha as a caterer for book release parties. There she met Alan Mirken, her future publisher. Following a long stint writing cookbooks, Martha’s multimedia company became a worldwide phenomenon.
Snoop Dogg’s Career
Snoop signed to Death Row Records in 1992 and began making music with Dr. Dre for his album The Chronic. The notoriety he gained led to the release of Snoop Dogg’s renowned album, Doggystyle. Songs like Who Am I (What’s My Name?) and Gin and Juice quickly became popular.
At the time, gangsta rap was under intense scrutiny by the government and conservative households. The genre thrived despite criticisms of misogynistic and often violent lyrics. The Doggfather became a phenomenon in his own right, and it wasn’t long before the two tycoons’ paths collided.
Uncommon Criminals
Before their meeting, Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg were on opposite sides of the entertainment spectrum. However, they both share a common bond as reformed criminals. While recording Doggystyle, the state charged Snoop and his bodyguard with the murder of a rival gang member. He was acquitted in 1996 and vowed to leave behind the “gangsta” lifestyle.
In 2004, Martha Stewart was found guilty of multiple felonies, including conspiracy and obstruction of an agency proceeding. The court sentenced her to a five-month term with an additional two years of supervised release.
Snoop Meets Martha
Martha Stewart was soon back on television with The Martha Stewart Show. In 2008, the show brought Snoop Dogg as a guest for a segment where Martha taught Snoop how to make her well-known mashed potatoes. They peeled potatoes and talked about butter in a way only they could.
Snoop asked if they were going to use black pepper before Martha quipped a joke about only having white pepper. The two went back and forth about Snoop’s lingo and how his kids can’t understand him. It was a match made in heaven.
The Odd Couple
The two drastically different personalities hit it off immediately. Snoop Dogg acknowledged Martha’s part in bringing rappers into the mainstream. “Martha kind of, like, pioneered this,” Snoop told NBC, “as far as letting rappers become a part of daytime television.”
Martha responded with a joke about how she thought rappers were odd. “Yeah, we were odd,” says Snoop, “but we fit right in. You know, cooking with Martha just seemed like the right space to be in.” The pairing was quite unique; most people probably brushed it off as a one-time meet-and-greet.
Snoop Returns to The Martha Stewart Show
the next year, Martha invited Snoop back to The Martha Stewart Show. This time, they tackled brownies, one of Snoop’s favorite snacks. This choice was certainly influenced by some of Snoop’s other recreational activities.
As Martha went through each step of her delicious chocolate treats, Snoop asked, “When do we add the…?” Martha quickly replied, “Later, that’s a secret.” When Martha instructed Snoop to set the oven to 350 degrees, he wondered aloud, “Why not bake them at 420?” The chemistry between them was extraordinary.
Forging a Friendship
“I like his laid-back energy,” Stewart said on The Today Show. “I like his outspokenness. I like his sense of timing.” When you look back, it’s hard not to see how well their personalities matched up. Martha’s love of Snoop is in her patience and empathy for the hard-lined rapper.
Snoop feels the same way. “I love Martha, like, I love her for real,” he said. “Like, when I see her away from me, I get jealous when I see other people with her,” he joked. The world desperately needed this union.
On Separate Paths
Martha and Snoop’s paths took different turns following their last meeting. Martha Stewart took The Martha Stewart Show from broadcast television to The Hallmark Channel on cable in 2010. Rebranded as Martha, Hallmark canceled the show two years later only to replace it with a new cooking show, Martha Stewart Bakes.
Snoop diversified his hip hop portfolio and collaborated with Katy Perry on the song “California Gurls” in 2010. In 2012, he released a documentary, Reincarnated, following the making of his reggae album of the same name under the name Snoop Lion.
Martha on Reddit AMA
The dynamic duo did not make an appearance together in the years after that. Fans were starting to wonder if their alliance was over. In 2014, Martha participated in a Reddit AMA, and inquiring fans wanted the know the fate of the friendship.
The “Ask Me Anything” should have been called an “Ask Me About My Relationship With Snoop.” One Reddit user demanded an update, to which Martha replied, “I wish I were closer friends with Snoop Dogg.”
Martha and Snoop’s Reunion
Martha and Snoop acknowledged the wishes of Reddit users and fans across the globe in 2015. Comedy Central announced the anticipated Roast of Justin Bieber. Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg were to not only share the dais but sit right next to each other throughout the show.
They say you only roast the ones you love. Even though Bieber was the focal point of every performer’s jokes, audience members couldn’t help but wonder how Snoop and Martha related to each other. So how did it go down? Well…
Martha’s Sick Burns
“If you’re all wondering why I’m here tonight,” Martha said, “it’s because Martha Stewart changes people’s lives for the better. When Shaq bought his house, I was the first person he called. The house had 13 bedrooms, and I helped convert eight of them into refrigerators.”
Snoop Dogg was next on her radar. “Snoop, I see you’ve been following my beauty regimen. You would never know that Snoop Dogg is 43 now, which is three times as long as actual dogs live, and twice as long as most of his friends.”
Snoop’s Roast
Snoop and Martha had been sitting together throughout the entire production, and they looked so happy to be back together. They laughed and smiled as comedians and entertainers threw no-holds-barred verbal attacks on Bieber.
Now it was Snoop’s turn at the podium. Everyone laughed as he attacked Kevin Hart, Ludacris, Jeff Ross and Bieber himself. The crowd was aching for a few jokes about his unconventional television partner, but they never came. Snoop’s respect for Martha ran so deep that he didn’t want to say anything negative, even if it was a joke.
The Moment Snoop Realized He Loved Martha
It makes sense that Snoop wouldn’t want to poke fun at Martha Stewart at the roast. It was the night that solidified their friendship. After sitting together for hours throughout the production, Snoop paid close attention to his new acquaintance. “She sat next to me, and she stole the show,” he said in an interview with NBC.
Her wittiness and harsh jokes made an impression. “She was the funniest roaster that night. At that moment, I knew I wanted to be alongside this lady for the rest of my life.”
Martha And Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party
Martha and Snoop’s kinship attracted the attention of producer SallyAnn Salsano. She visualized a television show for VH1 featuring the two prominent entertainers. Of course, Martha Stewart was interested. “I originally said, ‘If Snoop will do it, I’ll do it,” remembered Martha.
Snoop Dogg also agreed. But 2016 was a big year for the hip hop artist, who was also touring as a DJ. His busy schedule on the road required a strict shooting schedule for the new program. Regardless of the rush, Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party was born.
The First Episode
Described as a variety show, Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party premiered on November 7, 2016 to wide critical acclaim. The first episode featured fellow cannabis connoisseurs Seth Rogan, Ice Cube and Wiz Khalifa with a musical performance by Anderson Paak.
The guests joined the couple to “put their secret fried chicken recipes to the test and go head to head in an epic cockfight.” The first episode boasted 1.68 million viewers. It was an epic accomplishment for a broadcast competing with the NFL for Monday Night Football.
“They Got Game”
Season one of the new show had a wide array of different guests. Everyone from Rick Ross, 2 Chainz and Robin Thicke to DJ Khaled, Kathy Griffin and Mike Epps joined Martha and Snoop in experimenting with different recipes. They provided viewers with creative methods to cook fish, bacon, hog and dough with countless moments of witty banter.
In his spare time, Snoop coaches a youth football team in Pomona, where he helped develop Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party brought the team on as guests for episode seven, entitled “They Got Game.”
Season 2
The second season of Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party arrived on October 16, 2017, just in time for Snoop’s 46th birthday. The episode welcomed Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx and multi-Grammy Award winner Patti LaBelle. The best part of bringing Snoop and Marth together is the diverse background of possible guests.
The two tackled the culinary capabilities of cooking cow tongue, roasts, beef, veggies and shellfish. They treated viewers to appearances by Diddy, Jeff Ross, Post Malone, Sharon Osbourne and RuPaul, with Don Cheadle and TLC closing out the season.
Accolades
Although the show did not earn any awards, it did receive multiple nominations, including a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program and nods for a Gold Derby Award in 2017 and the NAACP’s Image Award in 2018.
Their younger viewers displayed their affection as well. Stewart and Snoop received the nomination for Best Duo at the MTV Movie + TV Awards. They lost to the only possible competition of Hugh Jackman and Dafne Keen for their riveting performances in Logan.
Bridging the Divide
Not only does the show bring together two iconic people, but it also brings together multiple generations. This rare accomplishment surprised Martha Stewart, who told The Hollywood Reporter that the show “expanded my demographic exponentially.”
It offers even more from a social perspective. “The melding of cultures is really what I want to see happen in the United States, and so does Snoop,” the lifestyle magnate said. “There shouldn’t be any divides. There shouldn’t be any question that we can all get together and get along.”
Re-Enacting a Famous Movie Scene
Before the second season premiere of Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party, Martha and Snoop created a piece of genius viral marketing. By reenacting the most iconic scene in the film Ghost — that’s right, the one with the potter’s wheel — Snoop and Martha created a marketing sensation.
The scene opened with a turntable operating a 7-inch vinyl playing The Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody. Martha unbuttoned her top button before icing a cake on the turntable. Snoop then joined her from behind, and the commercial cut out before things got too hot and heavy.
From Crook to Cook
After years of learning how to cook from one of the most renowned culinary specialists in the world, Snoop Dogg expanded his portfolio. In 2018, he released his first cookbook entitled From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes From Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen. Martha said.
Each recipe in the book comes with a story of the food’s significance in the rappers life, and it of course won a recommendation from Martha. Snoop “is so particular” in the kitchen, she said.
A Real Relationship
Some viewers and critics of Snoop and Martha might say that their unusual bond is for entertainment purposes only. Snoop is quick to dismiss that and says they have a unique chemistry, especially when the cameras are off. “I’ve never met anyone like Martha Stewart,” he said.
Everyone has those relationships with certain people where everything feels at ease. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Snoop said their mutual bond is the result of something existential. “When we come together, it’s a natural combination of love, peace and harmony.”
A Snoop and Martha Collaboration?
After years of entertaining the masses by sharing their friendship, many people wondered if Snoop would collaborate with Martha on a rap song. Martha visited and toured Snoop’s studio in Southern California. “He has a fantastic studio,” she says. But the question remained whether she would record anything for an upcoming track.
When asked about a possible collaboration by the Daily Mail, Stewart responded with doubts that it would ever happen. However, Snoop’s studio basketball court had inspired Martha to install one of her own. Perhaps he can also convince her to record someday.
More Memorable Television Spots
While outdoing their Ghost spoof commercialI seemed like a tall order, Martha and Snoop were undaunted. After appearing in a hilarious segment with Ellen Degeneres back in 2016 and a T-Mobile advertisement during the 2017 Super Bowl, they took it up another level.
In 2018, the two created a new ad for Snoop and Martha’s Potluck Party Challenge based on a famous scene from Titanic. In it, Snoop holds two baskets of french fries while exclaiming, “I’m frying! Martha, I’m frying!”
Should Have Been Closer
It’s hard to imagine Martha and Snoop possibly having a better relationship with each other than they do now. But why did it take so long to finally happen? Why did they remain “distant admirers of each other for many years?”
Martha reflected on that brief break after their initial meeting. After a few years of sharing the stage, a television show, and a plethora of followers, she admitted she wished they’d joined forces and become better friends sooner.
Martha’s Expanded Vocabulary
It’s not surprising that Martha and Snoop’s behaviors rub off on each other. When you spend so much time with someone, you start to pick up on their quirks. The most prominent example of this is the way Stewart acquired some of Snoop’s unique vocabulary. She admits that she has picked up on some of his words and even writes them down.
As she explained in an interview with People magazine, “I’ve learned a new vocabulary. I have a little dictionary — I might actually write the dictionary. It’s all those fo’ shizzles and everything else.”
The Big Sister Snoop Never Had
Snoop Dogg was the middle child of three brothers. Raised by a single mother, Snoop had no shortage of testosterone in his life, but not so much estrogen. Regardless of how he would have turned out with a sister, Snoop recognizes that Martha is more than just a friend.
In their brief time together, Snoop’s admiration for his counterpart grew into a steady bond of love and trust. He’s not afraid to describe how he feels. “I love Martha. Like, I love her for real,” he explained. “She’s the big sister I never had.”
Snoop and Martha’s Legacy
Snoop and Martha hope their friendship can inspire others. Not everyone is going to become friends, let alone get along, but they nonetheless hope their show can serve as an example of people from different generations, socio-economic statuses and more getting along.
“This show shows you that people can get along, people can work together, people can love each other, no matter where they come from, or how they were brought up,” Snoop said. We can only hope we find our Martha and Snoop connection.
