Snoop Dogg shocked fans last week when he announced he was “quitting smoking,” which many saw as giving up his love of cannabis – but it turns out it may have just been a marketing ploy.
On Monday, the hip-hop legend unveiled a new ad in which he says he’s quitting smoking — endorsing Solo Stove, a smoke-free fireplace brand.
The rapper never indicated whether he was quitting marijuana or not, and his representatives did not respond – the hitmaker asked fans to “respect his privacy.”
However, his fans flooded his social media page claiming they were “fooled” by the announcement, while others called it a “genius marketing ploy”.
In a press release from the brand, Snoop said, “I love a good fire outside, but the smoke was too strong.” Solo Stove repaired the fire and removed the smoke. They changed the game and now I’m excited to spread the love and stay warm with my friends and family.”
Snoop Dogg’s “quitting” smoking appears to be a marketing ploy for the rapper to sell a smoke-free FIREPLACE instead of giving up marijuana – fan reaction: “Brilliant marketing!”
The brand has confirmed Snoop as its new spokesperson and will release a collaboration on Monday at 4:20 p.m. EDT.
4:20 is cannabis culture slang for marijuana and hashish use.
In one of the press photos, Snoop can be seen blowing some smoke out of his mouth, suggesting that he isn’t really done smoking yet.
Fans were initially unconvinced by the admission that he had quit smoking, with some rightly wondering if it was just a publicity stunt last week.
“I’m quitting smoking,” the rapper mysteriously claimed in his original post, which included a more detailed explanation: “After careful consideration with my family, I have decided to quit smoking.”
The 52-year-old added before signing the message: “Please respect my privacy at this time.”
Marketing ploy? Snoop Dogg claimed last week that he had quit smoking – after it was once claimed that the cannabis-loving rapper was rolling 75-150 joints for himself every 24 hours
Surprise, surprise: The brand has confirmed Snoop as its new spokesperson and will release a collaboration on Monday at 4:20 p.m. EDT
Still smoking! Snoop Dogg blows out some smoke, suggesting he isn’t really done smoking himself
Now fans have rejoiced over the apparent stunt. One of them said: “You’ve made people re-evaluate their entire lives in light of a smoke-free oven.” Genius’
“Snoop doesn’t turn down a check,” one fan wrote, while another said, “You made me pray for you.”
It initially came as a shock to the veteran rapper’s fans, as he openly embraced the drug, which has expanded into numerous business ventures, including edibles, cannabis strains and a digital media company dedicated to marijuana-related news.
It was once claimed that the rapper – born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. – had someone rolling 75 to 150 joints for him daily, which he later denied and dismissed.
Renegade Piranha, who claimed to be Snoop’s “personal blunt roller” (PBR), said last year: “On average I take about half a pound a day, which seems excessive.” So that’s about 75 to 150 units a day . I estimate there are over 450,000 blunts.’
However, he admitted in March this year that he had cut back on his pot consumption after becoming a grandfather.
In smoke? Snoop Dogg smokes a blunt while performing at the O2 Arena in the UK on March 21 this year
Big Business: The veteran rapper has an open appreciation for the drug, which has expanded into numerous business ventures, including food and a digital media business
Speaking to in March, Snoop said his personal use came under scrutiny after eldest child Cordé became father to son Zion in 2015.
“Being a grandfather has changed me in many ways,” he said.
“The most important way is to think about how I live, how I move, what people I associate with, because I want to see my grandchildren grow old.”
“The only way to achieve this is to take precautions in the way I move, who I’m with, where I go out, what I eat, what I eat? “
“The end of an era”: Fans reacted in shock to the news on Twitter
“Am I doing extracurricular activities or am I just doing what I’m supposed to do?”
The father of four is father to Cordé (28), Cordell (26) and Cori (23) from his 25-year marriage to Shante Broadus, as well as son Julian (25) from a previous relationship with Laurie Holmond.
Snoop is no stranger to weed, revealing in a 2013 Twitter Q&A that he smokes up to 81 blunts per day, which matches his personal joint roller’s estimate.
In 2015, the rap artist launched his own platform called Merry Jane, a lifestyle media site that serves as an information hub for anyone interested in weed and is aimed at casual and everyday smokers.