Last week, Snoop Dogg was on Clubhouse in Behind The Vest in Druski’s room. Snoop Dogg talked about numerous topics when someone asked how his role as Rodney in Baby Boy came up during the conversation.
“John Singleton was a dear friend of mine. But, believe it or not, Tupac was supposed to Jody. So, it was supposed to be a me and Tupac movie, and when he got to the point where he picked Tyrese.
“He still had me in mind, and then when told me he was doing it, he’s like I still got that role for you, but it’s going to be with Tyrese you still down? I’m like hell yeah I’m down, what I gotta do? He’s like you going to the worst nigga on screen, but they will love you. I’m like f*** it lets go. We put that s***; I said my hair had to be a certain way. I need my s*** because my character is this and I think I can make it more believable. He enabled me to add my spices to it and we did that and that’s a classic movie R.I.P. John Singleton.”
Like Snoop Dogg said, Baby Boy is a classic even without the late, great Tupac and Tyrese killed the role as Jody.
During a 2020 interview with Fat Joe, Tyrese mentioned Pac was shooting the video ‘To Live and Die in L.A’ in Los Angeles, which was not too far from Singleton’s office.
“He walked up to Pac in the middle of the video shoot and said, ‘I wrote a movie for you’,” said Tyrese to Fat Joe. Tyrese cited how Tupac—like Jody—was raised by a single mom before adding Singleton told Tupac, “I’ve got the perfect movie to tell your story.”
Tyrese added, Singleton was so devastated by Tupac’s death that he put Baby Boy on hold.
“And then he ran into me and said, ‘You remind me of Pac.’ The way we laugh, we’re opinionated, we’re alpha, we’re studied.” Tyrese said Singleton changed his mind once he saw him.
The Transformer actor went on to say that initially, he refused the role numerous times because he wasn’t ready. Although he wanted to continue his musical career, Singleton was persistent.
About the Author
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
