Snoop Dogg promised to supply “special sticky icky icky” to every winner at the MTV Video Music Awards during a freewheeling opening monologue that kicked off Wednesday night’s ceremony at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater.
The 53-year-old rapper, who was hosting the VMAs in his hometown for the first time, used his opening minutes to salute Madonna before pivoting to the cannabis pledge that quickly set the tone for the evening. “Madonna just killed it. Now, that is an icon. One thing I wanna say is, she ain’t a virgin no more,” he told the crowd. The “Gin and Juice” artist then explained how he had initially turned down the hosting gig until learning it would be held in Los Angeles.
“Now, when they first asked me to host this award show, I said, ‘Is it gonna be in LA? No? Well, I’m busy.’ Then, they called me back and said, ‘Hold on, Mr. Dogg. It’s in L.A now,'” he recounted. “So, having this show hosted by me in my city means two things,” He continued: “One, tonight is gonna be the biggest party the VMAs has ever seen. And two, it wouldn’t be a Snoop Dogg party if I didn’t provide some of that special, sticky, icky, icky. That’s for every winner here tonight. Just the winners, though.”
The cannabis reference marked the latest chapter in Snoop’s decades-long public association with marijuana, a cornerstone of his personal brand since his early career. In a 2013 GQ interview, he revealed he was smoking 80 cannabis blunts daily at that point in his life.
That history made his November 2023 social media announcement about quitting particularly startling to fans. Sharing a black-and-white image of himself on Instagram alongside a signed statement, Snoop appeared to declare he was stepping away from his signature habit. “After much consideration and conversation with my family, I’ve decided to give up smoke. Please respect my privacy at this time,” the statement read.
The post triggered widespread disbelief across social media before the truth emerged: the announcement was a marketing campaign for Solo Stove, a smokeless fire pit company. In a follow-up video, Snoop clarified the wordplay. “I have an announcement. I’m giving up smoke. I know what you’re thinking, ‘Snoop? Smoke is kinda your whole thing?’ But I’m done with it. I’m done with […] my clothes smelling all sticky icky. I’m going smokeless. Solo Stove fixed fire, they take out the smoke, clever,” he said.
The rapper’s VMAs hosting return also featured shout-outs to several fellow performers in attendance. “I’m grateful to be in the company of some of my favorite people. Madonna, Taylor Swift, Shaboozey, Lisa, Bruno Mars and my girl, Raye — just to name a few,” he said during the monologue. “Now, we got a lot of people in here tonight that’s ready to party. Before we get this show started, I want to make sure that you are ready to have some fun, OK?”
The Peacock Theater ceremony marked Snoop’s first time hosting the VMAs since 2005, when he shared duties with Gwen Stefani at Miami’s American Airlines Arena.
