The Meeting That Almost Never Happened—How Snoop Dogg and Eazy-E Buried the Hatchet Before It Was Too Late

In the annals of hip-hop history, few rivalries were as public—or as meaningful—as the conflict between Snoop Dogg and Eazy-E. The beef was emblematic of a turbulent era in West Coast rap, fueled by business breakups, diss tracks, and the shifting alliances that defined the 1990s. But behind the bravado and diss records, there was also the possibility for forgiveness—a reconciliation that nearly didn’t happen, and which has since become a poignant chapter in both artists’ legacies.

West Coast Tensions: The Dre Divide

The friction between Snoop Dogg and Eazy-E was rooted in the fallout from Dr. Dre’s dramatic split with N.W.A. in 1991. Dre’s exit to launch Death Row Records set the stage for one of hip-hop’s most notorious feuds. As Dre’s protégé, Snoop Dogg found himself in the crosshairs—targeted on tracks like Eazy-E’s “Real Muthaphuckkin G’s,” a ferocious response to disses from Dre and Snoop on “Fuck Wit Dre Day.” For years, this musical warfare set the tone for the West Coast scene.

A Race Against Time

But by early 1995, everything changed. Eazy-E was diagnosed with AIDS—a diagnosis that shocked the hip-hop world and hastened his decline. With little time left, the possibility for reconciliation grew urgent. Multiple accounts, including fan discussions and Snoop Dogg’s recent interviews, confirm that the two rappers did, in fact, bury the hatchet in the last year of Eazy-E’s life. Although the exact details remain shrouded in privacy—no publicized photos, no magazine spreads—those close to the situation agree that a private understanding was reached.

Snoop Dogg’s Reflections: From Beef to Respect

In 2024, Snoop Dogg reminisced on The Bootleg Kev Podcast about his old rival, speaking with surprising warmth. “That n-gga Eazy-E was on my head [laughs]. That shit was so hard,” Snoop admitted, even confessing he now sings along to “Real Muthaphuckkin G’s.” It’s a striking reversal, signaling not only the end of animosity but a deep respect for Eazy-E’s artistry and impact.

Snoop’s reflections are echoed in earlier interviews, where he often credited Eazy-E as an influence: “When I was in high school I wanted to be Eazy-E.” Despite the bitterness that once defined their relationship, time brought perspective, and the rivalry faded into admiration.

The Broader Healing: A West Coast Moment

This reconciliation wasn’t just about Snoop and Eazy-E. Dr. Dre himself confirmed that he made amends with Eazy-E shortly before the latter’s death, an event that symbolized healing for a fractured scene. The hatchets were buried not with fanfare, but in private moments that now serve as reminders of the fleeting nature of life—and beef.

A Cautionary, Hopeful Tale

While the details of Snoop Dogg and Eazy-E’s meeting may never be fully known, the message is clear: even the deepest rifts can be repaired. Theirs was a meeting that almost never happened—one made possible by circumstance, regret, and ultimately, a willingness to let go. As Snoop Dogg continues to pay homage to Eazy-E’s legacy, their story stands as a testament to the power of forgiveness in hip-hop, and the wisdom that sometimes, there’s still time to make things right—if you’re willing to try.