Snoop Dogg and Eminem’s friendship wasn’t always smooth sailing. The two rap legends clashed in 2020 when Snoop publicly stated that Eminem didn’t make his top ten rappers list. The comment didn’t sit well with Eminem, sparking a brief but memorable feud. However, by 2024, the beef was behind them, and they proved that real respect runs deeper than any disagreement. Their collaboration on Snoop’s album Missionary showed the world what happens when two icons come together to create something legendary.
Snoop Dogg Says Collaborating with Eminem Was Tough—but Worth It
In 2024, Snoop and Eminem teamed up for the track “Gun Smoke”—a hard-hitting song that put both rappers to the test. For Snoop, working with Eminem was no walk in the park.
“[T]hat motherfer slap. It was very challenging for me, I’ll say that,” Snoop shared with Rolling Stone. “Eminem really fing shot at me, he shot his shot. And as a rapper, that’s what you want when you get a feature, to have to f*ing work your a off.”
Snoop enjoyed the friendly competition between them, calling it a sign of mutual respect.
“You want somebody to come to the playing field, putting up points, to where you got to rethink your s*** and say, ‘Well, damn, this is what he thinks of me. That’s why he’s going so hard,’” Snoop explained. “It’s competitive, but for the right reasons—to bring the best out of each other.”
Burying the Hatchet: Snoop and Eminem Reconcile
The feud between the two rappers began to fizzle out after Dr. Dre suffered a brain aneurysm in 2021. Snoop admitted that, despite their public spat, he always respected Eminem.
“You got to understand we really love each other,” Snoop said. “We don’t want the public to put a spin on something that’s not even that serious… We truly respect each other.”
Snoop likened their relationship to that of brothers.
“We’re brothers, man. My [real] brother hurt my feelings a lot of times… but you learn to understand and respect each other as family. As long as there was no direct disrespect or ill will, it can all be forgiven.”
Dr. Dre: The Glue Behind the Magic
Snoop, Eminem, and 50 Cent joined forces on “Gun Smoke” with Dr. Dre leading the production. Dre described their studio dynamic as a healthy, competitive environment where everyone brought their A-game.
“The critiques come from Eminem,” Dre revealed to Complex. “It’s like a friendly competition among us. You’ll hear it. Like the way 50 showed up on the first verse. Then Snoop comes in and then Eminem shows up, and you know what the f*** it is with him and that ink pen.”
Snoop, despite decades in the industry, said he’s still learning under Dre’s mentorship.
“We’re students,” Snoop said. “We love being in Dr. Dre’s school. We have a great time in class.”
From Beef to Brotherhood
Snoop Dogg and Eminem’s journey from rivals to collaborators is a testament to the power of respect, humility, and shared artistry. Together, they’ve proven that when icons join forces, the results are nothing short of legendary. Fans of “Gun Smoke” are already hoping it’s just the beginning of more epic collaborations from the rap greats.
