wattWhen rapper Snoop Dogg was asked how he was preparing for his new role as NBC’s primetime Olympics correspondent during the Paris Olympics, he responded with characteristic swagger. “My preparation for prime time is just being myself,” he said. “Google me. Look up at me, dog.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics officially kick off on Friday, the former pimp-turned-rapper has been chosen to carry the Olympic torch in Saint-Denis, marking the start of the 33rd edition of the Games, and he’s rocking the City of Lights A storm.
At the opening ceremony, more than 8,000 of the world’s top athletes will form a sports fleet to sail along the 6-kilometer-long Seine River, with more than 300,000 people watching. The 52-year-old athlete became emotional when talking about this honor and expressed his gratitude to France. He expressed a little surprise that he was “allowed” to do so.
“I think it’s a prestigious honor and something that I really respect. I would have never dreamed of anything like this,” he said.
The rapper has become a key figure in NBC’s efforts to bolster Olympic coverage, attract younger viewers and capitalize on the glow of celebrity. The broadcaster, accused of producing “inevitable Olympic television vomit” at the last Tokyo Games, wants record advertising support for its coverage, with costs rising to $1.2 billion.
NBC spent $7.75 billion in 2014 to purchase the rights to broadcast the Olympics in the United States until 2032. It will broadcast every event live on its streaming media Peacock Center. NBC will also curate content and combine event replays with celebrity guest appearances and athlete features. combine.
Sources at NBC said the rapper’s inclusion was an effort to please kids, and that executives seemed unaware that the rapper’s defining album, “Doggystyle,” was released more than three decades ago.
Snoopy, whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr, was spotted enjoying some quality time in Paris. On Thursday, he wore a gold snakeskin jacket and gold leather pants at a party hosted by Vogue and luxury goods company LVMH with “Today” co-host Hoda Kotb. Hoda Kotb whispered, prompting a response: “What?! You really did that?
He also hung out with French rapper and singer Kalash, who said he was “with my uncle and we talked about culture,” to which the veteran American rapper chimed in: “F*cking live! We’re in Paris, France ……Hello!
Flavor Flav, a founding member and hypeman of the rap group Public Enemies, who also serves as a sponsor of the U.S. women’s water polo team in the French capital, said Snoop’s character will be “one of the most important in rap music history.” A very, very important moment.”
Asked about the popularity of hip-hop in Paris during an NBC conference call, Snoop said hip-hop “has always been a part of the Olympics.”
“It’s only now being recognized because it’s global,” he added. “What’s cooler than hip-hop at the Olympics? I mean, that’s what it is. It’s peanut butter and jelly, you know what I’m saying? There’s coffee and cookies. That’s it. It’s a Great combination.
The rapper’s duties include exploring Paris landmarks, attending Olympic games and events, and visiting athletes and their friends and family in the Olympic Village. )’s visit. “Michael Phelps and I might have a workout where I might jump in the pool and learn how to run 25 meters and do that,” he said.
“Like I said, I’m an athlete. One thing about me is when I’m around these Olympians, I feel like I’m just as good as them or maybe give it a chance. So I will try it.
