If your Christmas wish list included “video of a highly successful hip-hop artist conversing with America’s top diplomat,” then congratulations. Late Thursday, Snoop Dogg posted on his Instagram account a clip of him chatting with Secretary of State John Kerry that ended with a fist-bump between the unlikely pair.
The video was taken December 9 at a White House ceremony honoring this year’s recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors. And the clip reveals that in addition to all his diplomatic verve, Kerry is somewhat versed in the origins of hip-hop.
“He invented your whole thing,” Kerry says.
“He invented hip-hop,” replies Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, Jr.
Kerry and Snoop then bump fists, and then the video manages to get even better—an off-camera Vice President Joe Biden shouts out, “Ooh, he gave you the pound!”
The high-level conversation was likely about Kennedy Center honoree Herbie Hancock, who is one of the most sampled artists in the history of hip-hop. Snoop introduced the evening’s tribute to Hancock by walking on stage to “Cantaloop,” a 1992 song by the jazz-rap group Us3 that sample’s Hancock’s Cantaloupe Island.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
John Kerry Fist-Bumped Snoop Dogg at the White House
And they talked about the origins of hip-hop.
If your Christmas wish list included “video of a highly successful hip-hop artist conversing with America’s top diplomat,” then congratulations. Late Thursday, Snoop Dogg posted on his Instagram account a clip of him chatting with Secretary of State John Kerry that ended with a fist-bump between the unlikely pair.
The video was taken December 9 at a White House ceremony honoring this year’s recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors. And the clip reveals that in addition to all his diplomatic verve, Kerry is somewhat versed in the origins of hip-hop.
“He invented your whole thing,” Kerry says.
“He invented hip-hop,” replies Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, Jr.
Kerry and Snoop then bump fists, and then the video manages to get even better—an off-camera Vice President Joe Biden shouts out, “Ooh, he gave you the pound!”
The high-level conversation was likely about Kennedy Center honoree Herbie Hancock, who is one of the most sampled artists in the history of hip-hop. Snoop introduced the evening’s tribute to Hancock by walking on stage to “Cantaloop,” a 1992 song by the jazz-rap group Us3 that sample’s Hancock’s Cantaloupe Island.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
These Confusing Bands Aren’t Actually From DC
Fiona Apple Wrote a Song About This Maryland Court-Watching Effort
The Confusing Dispute Over the Future of the Anacostia Playhouse
Protecting Our Drinking Water Keeps Him Up at Night
More from News & Politics
GOP Candidate Quits Virginia Race After Losing Federal Contracting Job, Trump Plans Crackdown on Left Following Kirk’s Death, and Theatre Week Starts Thursday
5 Things to Know About “Severance” Star Tramell Tillman
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Patel Dined at Rao’s After Kirk Shooting, Nonviolent Offenses Led to Most Arrests During Trump’s DC Crackdown, and You Should Try These Gougères
How a DC Area Wetlands Restoration Project Could Help Clean Up the Anacostia River
Pressure Grows on FBI Leadership as Search for Kirk’s Killer Continues, Kennedy Center Fires More Staffers, and Spotted Lanternflies Are Everywhere
What Is Free DC?
Manhunt for Charlie Kirk Shooter Continues, Britain Fires US Ambassador Over Epstein Connections, and Sandwich Guy Will Get a Jury Trial