Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube are two of the most legendary figures that have emerged from the West Coast hip hop scene. While their musical collaborations and gangsta rap roots in N.W.A intertwine their stories, these two have more in common beyond music. From their upbringing in Long Beach to their savvy business ventures and devotion to their families, Snoop and Cube have forged an enduring, multi-faceted friendship over their decades in the spotlight.

Long Beach: The Hometown That Shaped Them

Both Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube were born and bred in the city of Long Beach, California. The coastal town is located just south of Los Angeles and was a hotbed for gang violence and crime during Snoop and Cube’s childhoods in the 1970s. Long Beach cultivated the West Coast gangsta ethos that permeates much of their music; growing up in the crossfires of poverty, drugs, and street crime informed their outlooks on life.

Long Beach’s geography as a port city also meant a confluence of cultures that would go on to heavily influence West Coast hip hop. The African-American population mingled with Hispanic, Cambodian and Vietnamese immigrants, blending musical styles like funk, soul, and reggae into the early foundations of hip hop. Snoop and Cube absorbed these eclectic sounds and wove them into their own artistic identities. As they put Long Beach firmly on the hip hop map, they also paid homage to their hometown through lyrics name-checking local streets, neighborhoods, and landmarks.

From Long Beach Polytechnic High School to Snoop’s football coaching years later, both legendary rappers maintain deep roots that keep them returning to the place that made them. Though they achieved international fame, Long Beach remains an integral part of their identities.

N.W.A and the Rise of Gangsta Rap

When Ice Cube and Dr. Dre joined forces with Eazy-E in 1986 to form N.W.A, they sculpted what would become the seminal gangsta rap group. Though he was several years younger, Snoop Dogg later linked up with N.W.A through his cousin, producing group member Daz Dillinger. His slick flow and sharp charisma were a perfect match for the burgeoning group.

N.W.A made an explosive impact, smashing records with their ruthless rhymes about police brutality, crime, and life in Southern California’s projects. Their seminal album “Straight Outta Compton” went triple platinum upon its 1988 release, despite negligible radio play and widespread banning. As members splintered into solo careers, N.W.A’s influence only grew; Dr. Dre and Ice Cube would become multi-platinum powerhouses, while Snoop rode shotgun to even higher fame.

Together, N.W.A fundamentally shaped gangsta rap into the defiant, disruptive genre that allowed hip hop’s outsiders to brandish their realities. Even as they found individual mainstream success, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre continued to wave the West Coast flag and celebrate N.W.A as hip hop trailblazers. Their brotherhood extends beyond music into business, as Dre and Cube have posted Snoop’s ventures and praised his acumen. Regardless of any beefs, the crew’s bonds reveal themselves in collaborations, reunions, and N.W.A’s legacy cemented as one of history’s most essential rap collectives.

West Coast Loyalty

Beyond fame, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube remain dedicated to repping the West Coast style that birthed their careers. They’ve consistently collaborated with fellow California artists both legendary and up-and-coming. From The Game, Too $hort, and Kendrick Lamar to Battlecat and Warren G, Snoop and Cube uplift West Coast hip hop by linking with local talent. They also continue to infuse their music with the G-funk, whirring synths and slick rhythms native to their coast.

Both Snoop and Ice Cube have been vocal about the East Coast/West Coast beef that gripped hip hop in the mid-1990s. As titans like Biggie and Tupac were slain, the Doggfather and Cube spoke out against coastal divisions and advocated for unity. These influential leaders steered hip hop away from further violence through their calls for reconciliation.

In the decades since, both stars have become ambassadors between coasts by working with artists from all regions. Yet they still show up at LA’s Summer Jam concerts to headline homegrown lineups full of Lowrider car culture and hyphy local performers. Their pride for the West Coast shines through as they pass the torch to fresh faces.

Branching into Movies

By the early 90s, both Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg were bona fide hip hop kings lauded for their nimble rhyme skills. Yet the two multi-talented artists both parlayed their music fame into Hollywood acting gigs that displayed their comedic chops and screen presence.

Ice Cube paved the way with his starring turn as the cheeky con artist Doughboy in 1991’s cult classic “Boyz N The Hood.” He wrote and produced the hard-hitting film about violence in South Central LA, infusing it with poignancy and cultural commentary. Cube soon scored more roles playing up his deadpan bravado in films like “Anaconda,” “Three Kings,” and the “Friday” and “Barbershop” franchises.

Taking a cue from his N.W.A peer, Snoop Dogg made his acting debut in 1998’s “Half Baked.” His natural charisma translated to comedic cameos in films like “Starsky & Hutch” and “Soul Plane” through the 2000s. Expanding into drama by 2004, Snoop showed surprising range in acclaimed films like “Training Day” and “Baby Boy.” He’s gone on to rack up over 50 movie credits ranging from cult classics to kids’ films.

Proving their versatility, Snoop and Ice Cube have become respected actors who continue to shine in unpredictable roles. They also codified a blueprint for musicians crossing over into Hollywood. And they had fun all the way to the bank, collaborating together on hits like “The Wash.”

Business Savvy & Ambition

Beyond entertainment, both Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube have flexed their business acumen through lucrative ventures. While music and film may have jumpstarted their careers, their entrepreneurial drive has kept their success diversified and long-lasting.

Snoop has built an empire of over a dozen ventures outside his music. He founded Snoop Youth Football league in 2005 to provide athletic opportunities for inner-city kids. His clothing line Rich & Infamous debuted in 2008, while his legal cannabis company Leafs By Snoop launched in 2015. Snoop also boasts an animation production company, a wine label, and an app.

Ice Cube matches Snoop’s prolific portfolio with his ventures in sports, tech, and media. He co-founded the BIG3 professional 3-on-3 basketball league in 2017 which reunites retired NBA players. Cube also founded the Contract with Black America Institute aimed at closing economic gaps, and invested in tech startups like Robinhood.

Both stars boast an ability to spot promising concepts early and turn them into lucrative businesses. While they’re most famous for music, their willingness to step outside their comfort zones continues to grow their personal brands.

Family Values

With bad boy images that often glorify vice, it may be surprising that both Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube are dedicated family men. But despite tabloid drama and splashy personas, their actions prove both stars centralize family in their lives.

Snoop married his high school sweetheart Shante Taylor in 1997. Though they divorced in 2004, they reconciled in 2008 after Snoop realized his family’s importance. He is vocal about the role of his wife and three children in keeping him grounded amidst fame’s pressures. Ice Cube also married his longtime girlfriend Kimberly Woodruff in 1992, with whom he has four children. He keeps his personal life relatively private, but frequently praises Kimberly’s support and speaks about the joy of fatherhood.

Both Snoop and Cube make sure to showcase their children’s talents as well, whether in music or sports. They emphasize the value of hard work, confidence, and education when mentoring their kids to become successful on their own. Despite the playboy tropes, Snoop and Ice Cube consider their families top priorities. Their ability to cultivate stable personal lives while building entertainment legacies is remarkable.

Enduring Cultural Icons, Lifelong Friends

Over three decades into their careers, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube are still at the peak of relevance through their music and their moves. While their paths from scrappy N.W.A teens to global superstars may seem surreal, their blueprints of longevity are anchored in loyalty. They support friends, collaborate with peers both new and veteran, uplift local talent, and emphasize family values. Both legendary rappers rep their hometown pride and still shout out Long Beach decades later. And their bond endures with mutual respect as they attend Hollywood Walks of Fame ceremonies for one another.

From the streets of Los Angeles to the Hollywood Hills, Snoop and Ice Cube have become cultural institutions while remaining unexpectedly down-to-earth. Their secret sauce combines ambition with community building, allowing two talents from the same humble roots to ascend while lifting so many others as well. They define success not through vanity or excess, but through cultural impact and the connections they continue nurturing.

While their musical styles, business ventures, and film careers reveal their range, Snoop and Ice Cube share the most common ground in their loyalty. Their lifelong brotherhood reveals the substance behind the swagger. Two West Coast icons keep their boats floating, no matter how high the tides rise.