Snoop Dogg launches 'Doggyland,' a YouTube channel aimed at children's educational content

Snoop Dogg is extending his business and he has something in store for children. The rapper launched "Doggyland - Kids Songs & Nursery Rhymes," an animated children's series that is now available on YouTube and YouTube Kids. “Presenting 2 u my new kids show @doggyland_kids Where they can sing, dance n learn. Out now on YouTube & YouTube Kids!” the rapper announced in a tweet.

The project will feature a colorful lineup of dogs who use song, dance and rap to teach social, emotional and cognitive skills aimed at young children: toddlers to 8-year-olds. Snoop Dogg is partnering with Claude Brooks, the Emmy-nominated producer and creator of the children's franchise "Hip Hop Harry" as well as singer/songwriter October London, reports CNN.

“Doggyland to me would be an animated cartoon series designed for kids,” the singer shared. “I say preschoolers, toddlers, and eventually kids of all ages because it’s so influential, it’s so educational and it’s so fundamentally smart the way we put it together with song, dance and education.”

Specifying that diversity is at the heart of the show, he said, “You can just be you and be accepted in ‘Doggyland,’ and what’s what these characters represent — diversity, so kids can learn to love each other from the beginning, because hate is what’s taught. Love is what’s in their heart.”

The rapper voices the main character, Bow Wizzle, who serves as an adult mentor to the other members of the cast. Bow will mentor the younger dogs, including Wags, who is always cheering on his friends; Yap Yap, a high-spirited dog known for her positive and cheery demeanor; Chow Wow, an empathic team player; and Barks-A-Locks, the curious one who is always uncovering new adventures.

"As a father, grandfather and longtime youth football coach, it's always been important to me to build positive and educational environments for all children. We wanted to bring our show to YouTube and YouTube Kids which provides free access to everyone, so all the kids can enjoy it," said Snoop Dogg of his desire to be a show co-creator. "I've always wanted to create a kid friendly series that lets kids be kids and is truly representative of the culture with everything from the music to the characters," he added. "When I started to build my team, it was only right to partner with Claude, who created the iconic series, 'Hip Hop Harry,' which built the blueprint to diverse kids programming, and October London, a talented singer and writer."

Snoop Dogg has previously also created spaces that particularly benefit marginalized young people. He established the Snoop Youth Football League in 2005, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for inner-city children to participate in youth football and cheerleading. Snoop's Special Stars, a division of SYFL that focuses on special needs children who want to participate in football and cheerleading, was launched in 2018. Thousands of kids have participated in the Snoop Youth Football League since its inception, and several of them have gone on to play in D1 colleges and the NFL.

"Working with Snoop, you know our music has to be top notch and make all the kids and families get out of your seat and dance," said October London, singer and songwriter, in a press release. "While the Doggyland - Kids Songs & Nursery Rhymes show is created with kids as the priority, the whole family will want to watch it and bump it!"

"Snoop and I are excited to make an animated children's show that's musically based and promotes social, emotional and cognitive learning in an innovative way that both kids and parents alike will be learning together," said Claude Brooks. "I'm a father of a 7yr old daughter and one of the things we are most proud of is having age-appropriate songs about "Being Different", "Not Being A Bully", "Good Manners" and one of my personal favorites, "Affirmations." These kinds of songs will hopefully lead to meaningful conversations and help everyone be the best they can be."