In the mythology of hip hop, loyalty is currency. Brotherhoods forged in the streets, tested in blood, and sanctified on stage, have long defined the culture. Yet, behind every anthem of unity, whispers of betrayal lurk. Today, few names stir that conversation louder than Snoop Dogg’s.

For decades, the West Coast icon has been celebrated as hip hop’s ambassador—smooth-talking, weed-smoking, and forever draped in blue. But among fans and insiders alike, questions about his loyalty continue to swirl. From the tragic death of Tupac Shakur in the ’90s to the assassination of Nipsey Hussle in 2019, Snoop’s role has been cast under a suspicious light. And with Nipsey’s older brother, Black Sam, voicing his own unease, the tension has reignited.

A Bond Between Legends

Snoop and Nipsey Hussle’s connection was never in doubt. Nipsey, the Crenshaw visionary, was more than a rapper—he was a father, an entrepreneur, a community leader who turned the marathon into a movement. To Snoop, he was family. At Nipsey’s memorial in 2019, Snoop’s words carried the weight of a brother grieving another: “Every time I saw Nip and Lauren, it reminded me of me and my wife. It was black excellence.”

Black Sam, Nipsey’s fiercely protective older brother, trusted Snoop enough to send him a special “Marathon” package in 2022—gear reserved only for true supporters. It was a sign of respect, of brotherhood, of trust.

But trust, once fractured, is nearly impossible to repair.

The Big U Connection

Enter Big U, a former Rollin’ 60s power broker, and a name forever tied to controversy. To many, he’s the man who demanded rappers “check in” when landing in Los Angeles. To others, he’s the shadow lurking in Nipsey’s death.

Nipsey himself made no secret of his disdain. On the fiery diss track “You Don’t Got a Clue”, he rapped:

“I built this on my own and everybody know it’s true.
Still dudes act like they supposed to have control of what I do.”

The target was clear: Big U.

Behind the scenes, Nipsey allegedly cut off a $20,000 monthly “protection fee.” The move was bold but dangerous. Insiders believe it was a decision that left him vulnerable. When Nipsey was murdered outside his Marathon store, speculation about who truly benefited from his death exploded.

That’s why when fans saw Snoop Dogg appearing on Big U’s show “Checking In”, alarm bells rang. To many, it was the ultimate betrayal: standing beside the very man Nipsey distrusted to his dying day.

Black Sam’s Relentless Defense

If Nipsey was the visionary, Black Sam was the shield. Stories of his fearlessness are legend. When Big U’s crew once tried to “discipline” Nipsey—a street punishment for his defiance—Sam pulled a pistol and fired a warning shot to protect his brother.

He never stopped. After Nipsey’s murder, Sam clashed publicly with anyone tied to disrespect. At the opening of Marathon Burger, he confronted Rockstar 280, making it clear: fake love wasn’t welcome. He later pressed Brick Baby, a figure linked to Eric Holder—the man convicted of Nipsey’s killing—demanding accountability.

So, when Sam sees Snoop Dogg cozying up to Big U, the sting is personal. To him, loyalty isn’t symbolic—it’s life or death.

The Ghost of Tupac

This isn’t the first time Snoop has been accused of switching sides. In the ’90s, his relationship with Tupac Shakur followed a similar arc.

Initially, the two shared brotherhood under Death Row Records. Snoop stood by Pac during the height of the East Coast–West Coast rivalry. He performed “Hit ’Em Up” alongside Pac, even hyping the crowd. But days later, Snoop went on a New York radio show and declared he had “nothing but love for Biggie and Puffy.”

To Tupac, it was a knife in the back. Just days earlier, Snoop had been in the studio recording disses aimed at Biggie and Puff. Now, he was publicly playing peacemaker. The contradiction fractured their bond. Insiders recall Pac seething at the perceived betrayal. Weeks later, Tupac was murdered in Las Vegas.

Fans have never forgotten. To this day, critics replay Snoop’s inconsistencies: working with Big Dre, a man allegedly tied to Pac’s murder; spinning stories about Pac’s prison struggles that insiders call false; even contradicting the truth about Pac’s peace with Nas at the 1996 MTV VMAs.

For some, Snoop’s loyalty to Pac was always more performance than reality.

Patterns of Betrayal?

To many, history is repeating. Just as Snoop’s ties to Pac ended in suspicion, his relationship with Nipsey now carries the same unease. The question is simple but devastating: does Snoop Dogg stand with his fallen brothers—or with the very forces they opposed?

Even Black Sam has hinted at political pressure surrounding Nipsey’s death. He revealed in interviews that tension erupted when Nipsey invited DJ Khaled to Crenshaw for the “Higher” video with John Legend. That move angered certain factions who wanted control over the narrative. To Sam, it was proof of a bigger machine moving against Nipsey.

And who was reportedly connected to those same factions? Big U.

So when Snoop shares laughs and interviews with Big U, fans wonder: is it ignorance, opportunism, or something darker?

The Uncomfortable Truth

Snoop Dogg remains beloved worldwide. His charisma, humor, and longevity have cemented him as a hip hop elder statesman. Yet, beneath the surface, a different narrative brews.

From Tupac to Nipsey, Snoop’s record on loyalty is shaky at best. The streets haven’t forgotten the contradictions, the questionable alliances, the moments when silence or friendship felt like betrayal.

To outsiders, these may seem like old grudges. But in communities like South Central, loyalty is survival. For Nipsey Hussle and Tupac Shakur, betrayal carried a price that can’t be undone.

Legacy on Trial

The question now isn’t about Snoop’s fame—his career is secure. The question is about legacy. When history is written, will he be remembered as the Doggfather who carried West Coast hip hop to the mainstream? Or as the man who stood too close to the shadows of those who harmed his brothers?

Black Sam’s message is clear: loyalty to Nipsey is non-negotiable. And for many fans, that extends to loyalty to Pac as well. Every time Snoop is spotted beside figures like Big U, those old wounds reopen.

Because in hip hop, betrayal doesn’t fade. It echoes.

Conclusion: Loyalty or Legacy?

Nipsey Hussle once said, “The marathon continues.” For his brother Sam, that means defending Nip’s name against all threats—even if it means calling out icons like Snoop Dogg.

As history shows, Snoop has walked this road before. With Tupac, his shifting loyalties left scars that fans still debate. With Nipsey, the same cycle threatens to repeat.

Hip hop will always honor Snoop’s contributions to the culture. But when it comes to loyalty, the jury is still out. And until those questions are answered, the shadow of betrayal will continue to follow him—reminding us that in this culture, loyalty isn’t just a word. It’s everything.