Snoop Dogg took over the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 27, as he hosted the 2026 ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
The event marked the return of the VMAs to the West Coast for the first time since 2017. For Snoop Dogg, the night was also a major career moment because it was his first time serving as host of the awards show.
Snoop opened the show with his usual humor, making jokes about bringing the VMAs back to Los Angeles and telling the audience that the night would be a major party. He also joked about Madonna after she opened the ceremony with her first VMA performance in 23 years.
The rapper's connection with the VMAs goes back more than three decades. Before taking the hosting role, Snoop had received 13 VMA nominations and won three awards. His previous appearances included major moments on the VMA stage, including performances with other major names in hip-hop.
Snoop was also involved beyond his role in front of the cameras. He served as an executive producer for the 2026 broadcast, giving him a larger role in the show's production and creative direction.
Throughout the ceremony, Snoop brought his own West Coast style to the event, mixing comedy, music and references to his long career. He also used moments during the broadcast to bring attention to his classic music, keeping his presence at the center of the show.
The night featured several major moments across music. Madonna opened the ceremony, while Taylor Swift made VMA history by becoming the most-awarded artist in the show's history after adding another award to her collection. Nirvana also received the Video Vanguard Award.
The ceremony also featured performances from artists including LISA, RAYE, Shaboozey, Gunna and others, bringing together established stars and newer names for one of music's biggest annual award shows.
For Snoop Dogg, hosting the 2026 VMAs added another major chapter to a career that has continued to expand beyond music. From his work in hip-hop to television, sports and major entertainment events, the rapper has remained a familiar face across different generations of audiences.
His first VMA hosting job also gave the 2026 ceremony a strong West Coast identity as the awards returned to Los Angeles, bringing the show back to the region for the first time in nine years.
