One of Snoop Dogg’s grandchildren has passed away, bringing a wave of sorrow over his already large, loving family. The rapper, born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., has always spoken proudly of his role as a grandfather, even saying, “I thank my oldest son for making me a grandfather.” But this loss—though tragically familiar in life’s cycle—cuts deep.
The child was Kai Love Broadus, born September 15, 2019, who died just ten days later, on September 25. People.com+2Essence+2 Kai’s father, Corde Broadus, announced his death via Instagram, writing: “My son Kai brought so much love and positivity into this world. His energy will live on and these 10 days of love will always be special to us.” People.com He offered no cause of death publicly. People.com+1
Kai was Snoop’s third grandchild, and his death reverberated through the family. Snoop has at least seven grandchildren as of 2024, and Kai’s brief life remains a part of the family’s story. Wikipedia+3People.com+3People.com+3 The memory of Kai is maintained not only through grief, but through purpose: Corde and his wife, Soraya Love, founded the Kai Heart Foundation, which channels the baby’s memory into initiatives of healing, community support, and love. People.com+2news.amomama.com+2
Snoop himself has spoken of his grandchildren with deep affection. In interviews, he’s called them “my everything,” saying each one holds their own space in his heart. People.com+1 He’s embraced the name “Papa Snoop,” a term of endearment passed on by his grandkids. People.com+1 He’s also acknowledged how deeply the loss affected him—grief being part of the legacy of love.
Over the years, Snoop’s family has grown:
- Zion Kalvin Broadus, Kai’s older half-brother, born January 14, 2015, to Corde and Jessica Kyzer. People.com+2news.amomama.com+2
- Elleven Love Broadus, born August 2018, daughter of Corde and Soraya. People.com+1
- Sky Love Broadus, born 2021, another child of Corde and Soraya. People.com+1
- Chateau Broadus, born March 2021 to Cordell and Phia. People.com+1
- Cordoba Journey Broadus, another child of Cordell and Phia. People.com+1
- Symphony Sol, a more recent grandchild. People.com
Through every birth, every anniversary, every milestone, that family has carried Kai’s memory. His passing is a shadow on their celebrations, a reminder of life’s fragility.
Snoop’s public image has always straddled two worlds: the larger-than-life rapper and the devoted family man. He’s often said that music and fame mean less when weighed against blood, lineage, and legacy. The loss of Kai underscores how even those who seem invincible carry hidden wounds.
For Snoop, this is a story beyond headlines—it’s personal. To be grandfather is to see time ripple across generations: fleeting newborns, growing children, aging parents, and eventually the inevitable loss. But it’s also to plant roots—love, memory, hope—for those who live on.
Kai’s life was brief, but in the hearts of his family, it will last forever.