Snoop Dogg brought his signature charisma to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles as he took the stage to host the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. Marking the first time the ceremony has returned to the city since 2017, the rapper wasted no time making the night his own. After Madonna opened the show with a high-energy performance, Snoop couldn’t resist a cheeky nod to her iconic 1984 hit. Praising her legendary status, he quipped, “Madonna just killed it. Now, that is an icon. One thing I wanna say is, she ain’t a virgin no more.”
The rapper revealed that he was initially hesitant to take on the hosting gig until he learned the venue was in his hometown. He joked that he only signed on once the show was confirmed for LA, promising the audience that it would be the biggest party in VMA history. Staying true to his persona, he humorously noted that he had brought along some of his favorite “sticky, icky” goods exclusively for the night’s winners. Throughout the broadcast, Snoop kept the energy high by performing snippets of his classic hits like “Gin and Juice” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” even inviting the crowd to sing along to his 1994 tracks.
Beyond the comedy, Snoop expressed genuine excitement about the lineup of talent in the room. He highlighted several artists he was eager to watch, including Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Shaboozey, Lisa, and British singer Raye. He later took the spotlight to introduce Raye, who entered the night with nominations for Song of the Year and Best Visual Effects. With three VMA wins of his own and a history of 13 nominations, the legendary rapper proved once again that he knows exactly how to command a stage and keep the audience hooked from start to finish.
