In a raw and deeply emotional interview released on December 20, 2025, Snoop Dogg has broken nearly three decades of relative silence on the most intimate details surrounding the death of his friend and collaborator, Tupac Shakur. The 54-year-old rap icon sat down for an exclusive two-hour conversation on the podcast Drink Champs, hosted by N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, where he opened up like never before about Tupac’s final days, their complicated relationship in 1996, the night of the shooting, and the lingering pain that has followed him ever since. His candid revelations—tearful at times—have left fans stunned, reigniting debates about the East Coast-West Coast rivalry, unresolved mysteries, and the personal toll of one of hip-hop’s greatest tragedies.

Snoop, visibly moved throughout the interview, began by reflecting on their brotherhood during the golden era of Death Row Records. He and Tupac, both at the peak of their powers, formed an unbreakable bond after Pac joined the label in 1995. “Pac was my nigga, straight up,” Snoop said, his voice cracking. “He pushed me to be better, to work harder. When he came on All Eyez on Me, he made sure I was right there with him on tracks like ‘2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted.’ That was real love.” He shared never-before-heard stories from their time together—late-night studio sessions, road trips, and moments where Tupac acted as a mentor, even helping raise Snoop’s eldest son during a turbulent period in the Long Beach rapper’s life.

But the conversation took a somber turn when Snoop addressed the tensions that arose in the months leading up to September 1996. Amid the escalating East Coast-West Coast feud, Snoop’s comments in a radio interview—expressing respect for The Notorious B.I.G. and Sean “Diddy” Combs—infuriated Tupac, who saw it as disloyalty. “I was trying to keep peace, man,” Snoop explained. “I didn’t want all that beef. Biggie and Puff were cool with me before all this. But Pac was all in—he felt betrayed. We had words. That flight back from New York after the MTV Awards… nobody spoke to me for hours. I was scared, hiding forks under my blanket thinking something might pop off.”

Snoop revealed that Tupac had confronted him aggressively, nearly coming to blows, over his perceived softness on Bad Boy Records. “He loved me enough to check me hard,” Snoop admitted. “But it hurt. We weren’t on the best terms when that night in Vegas happened.” On September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot in a drive-by while riding with Suge Knight after the Mike Tyson fight. Snoop, in Los Angeles, got the call and rushed to Vegas.

The most emotional part of the interview came when Snoop recounted visiting Tupac in the hospital. “We went to Suge’s house first—he had his head wrapped, talking like Pac was gonna pull through. ‘He been shot before, he’ll be alright.’ But when I walked into that room… tubes everywhere, machines beeping… I felt his spirit wasn’t there. I straight fainted, collapsed right on the floor.” Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, pulled him aside: “She told me, ‘My baby ain’t never seen you weak. Fix yourself and go tell him you love him.'” Snoop did, whispering apologies and affirmations of brotherhood, knowing it might be the last time. Tupac passed six days later on September 13, at age 25.

For years, Snoop has spoken sparingly about these moments, but in this interview, he delved deeper into the regrets. “I wish we could’ve squashed it fully before he left,” he said, tears streaming. “Pac taught me about real loyalty, about standing tall. His death changed everything—Death Row fell apart, the West Coast lost its fire for a minute.” He also touched on conspiracy theories, dismissing wild claims but admitting the pain of unresolved justice. “Somebody knows what happened. It’s been too long.”

Snoop’s revelations extend to behind-the-scenes details fans have speculated about for years. He described Tupac’s mindset in his final weeks—paranoid yet fearless, recording relentlessly as if he knew time was short. “Pac was making music like he was leaving a legacy. He told me once, ‘If I die, make sure they remember me right.'” Snoop also shared a private conversation where Tupac expressed fears about betrayals within their circle, hinting at distrust that Snoop now sees in hindsight.

The interview has exploded online, with clips amassing millions of views within hours. Fans are shocked by the vulnerability from Snoop, long seen as laid-back and unflappable. “This the realest Snoop ever been about Pac,” one viral post read. Debates rage: some praise his honesty for humanizing the legend, others dissect old feuds, questioning if jealousy played a role as Tupac overshadowed everyone at Death Row. Conspiracy theorists are reignited, linking Snoop’s words to ongoing trials involving suspects like Duane “Keefe D” Davis.

Yet amid the shock, there’s overwhelming admiration. Snoop, now a global icon with ventures in sports, TV, and cannabis, used the platform to honor Tupac’s enduring influence. “Pac’s spirit lives in all of us pushing boundaries,” he concluded. “I carry him with me every day.”

As hip-hop approaches the 30th anniversary of Tupac’s death in 2026, Snoop’s words feel like a cathartic turning point. After decades of guarded reflections, his emotional outpouring has reminded the world why Tupac remains eternal—and why their friendship, flawed yet profound, defined an era. Fans may be shocked, but many are grateful: finally, the Doggfather has spoken from the heart.