“This is a great opportunity for me to show that I really understand music and to be a real coach,” the hip-hop legend says of his NBC coaching gig

When it comes to Snoop Dogg, there’s nothing the Doggfather legend isn’t willing to try.

On Monday, May 13, the multi-platinum rapper, music mogul, media personality, and actor, 52, was named one of the newest judges to join ‘The Voice’ season 26 alongside newcomer Michael Bublé and returning coaches Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani. That same day, Snoop appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to share his excitement for his upcoming coaching gig.

“If you know anything about me, you know I love music of all forms,” said the 16-time Grammy-nominated rap superstar. “So this is a great opportunity for me to show that I really understand music and, you know, to be a real coach and to really give direction to some of these artists that could be today’s next big thing.”

For those surprised to see Snoop join the music competition show’s coaching panel, the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rapper assured viewers that he’s a fan of all genres and has no doubt that he can bring that expertise to Team Snoop.

Snoop Dogg during an interview on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ in New York City on May 13, 2024.TODD OWYOUNG/NBC VIA GETTY

“That’s what people are going to learn about me is that that’s why I feel like people attract to me because I’m not one-sided,” he adds. “I’m not just for you, I’m for everybody. I’m the people’s champ.”

Host Fallon declared that he’s “already investing in” Team Snoop pulling off a win next season, but the hip-hop icon gave his fellow judges props for what they bring to the table, too.

Speaking of Stefani, 54, the Long Beach, Calif., native shared, “Me and Gwen have been friends for a long time. She’s a California girl, in a real way.” Snoop also had high praise for “queen” McEntire, 69, saying, “I mean, I’m Snoop Dogg, I respect the queen. That is the queen. All hail the mighty queen.”

Snoop Dogg on ‘The Voice’ Season 26.TRAE PATTON/NBC/NBCU PHOTO BANK VIA GETTY

Ahead of ‘The Voice’ season 26, which is slated to premiere this fall, Snoop is heading out on the road for his Cali to Canada tour this summer with fellow West Coast icons Warren G and DJ Quik. The 11-date Canadian run begins in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on June 3 and wraps up on June 25 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Doggystyle rapper — who’s also a special NBC Olympics correspondent for the Games in Paris this year — is also dropping a new joint album with Tha Dogg Pound — comprised of rappers Kurupt and Daz Dillinger — on May 31 titled W.A.W.G. (We All We Got) following rumors of a breakup between the hip-hop duo, which were shut down on their latest single “Smoke Up.” According to Snoop, the upcoming project came together following the death of his younger brother, Bing Worthington, earlier this year.

“My little brother had passed away, and one thing about my little brother is he loved the f— outta Daz. He loved us together,” Snoop explained on DJ Hed and Chuck Dizzle’s Home Grown Radio podcast recently.

“To honor him, my mission was to, you know, I started calling family members after that … because they know we supposed to be together,” he continued of re-teaming with Tha Dogg Pound. “Family know that we family, so when we not right, they know we not right. And they don’t want to pick sides like they supposed to. So when I reach out to them, I’m like, ‘Man, y’all get Daz, let’s figure it out.’”