- Lil Baby has officially come aboard Dr. Bombay Ice Cream as a co-founder and investor in the hip-hop-inspired frozen treat brand originally built by Snoop Dogg.
- The brand's first physical storefront is set to open April 26 on the Venice Boardwalk in Los Angeles, operating through October 2026, adjacent to Marathon Burger, a business connected to the late Nipsey Hussle.
- Dr. Bombay launched at Walmart in 2023 and has since expanded to 7-Eleven locations, now available nationwide.
- Lil Baby's WHAM album debuted at #1 in January 2025 with over 140,000 album equivalent units, making this investment deal an extension of his rising entrepreneurial profile.
Snoop Dogg and Lil Baby are joining forces. Lil Baby has been announced as co-founder and investor in Dr. Bombay Ice Cream, the “Hip Hop Style” brand Snoop founded with his son serving as creative director.
The brand blends ice cream and sherbet with bold flavors, leaning on 90s nostalgia and hip-hop cultural references. Cordell Broadus explained that bringing Lil Baby on board was a deliberate move, citing his ability to build an authentic brand that connects with audiences at scale.
Just as Snoop has built a track record of bold food and beverage moves, including his 2Pac-tribute wine with Cali by Snoop, the Dr. Bombay play signals he’s serious about owning the culture, not just endorsing it.
The ice cream space is heating up across celebrity circles too; Selena Gomez recently made waves launching Serendipity ice cream bars.
Beyond the brand, Snoop is also gearing up for a major biopic simply titled Snoop, which he announced at CinemaCon will hit theaters in 2027.
Meanwhile, Lil Baby has been building a business empire that includes his Glass Window Entertainment label and a clothing line, alongside recent endorsement partnerships with brands like Puma and Jordan Brand. Snoop himself holds active deals with Corona, Klarna, and 19 Crimes.
Takeaways
This deal is a masterclass in how hip-hop artists are evolving from brand ambassadors into brand owners. Snoop didn’t just slap his name on a product, he built Dr. Bombay from the ground up starting in 2023, and now he’s scaling it with a strategic co-founder who brings Gen Z credibility and authentic street appeal.
Lil Baby’s entry isn’t a typical endorsement deal either. As a co-founder and investor, he has real skin in the game, which changes the dynamic entirely.
Placing the first flagship store next to Marathon Burger, a business rooted in Nipsey Hussle’s legacy, is also a deeply intentional cultural statement, one that will likely resonate strongly with the LA community and hip-hop fans nationwide.
Does Lil Baby’s co-founder role signal a new standard for how hip-hop artists should enter brand deals, equity over endorsements? Is the celebrity ice cream space getting too crowded, and can Dr. Bombay’s hip-hop DNA help it stand out from the pack?
