Snoop Dogg is an iconic emcee who is a product of the Death Row era. As Dr Dre’s prodigy child and 2Pac’s partner-in-crime, Snoop (real name Calvin Broadus) has always been a certified gangsta. However, the Long Beach legend is connected to a famous viral hit.
In 2000, a viral children’s song with a catchy hook exploded in popularity. Released by the novelty act Buckwheat Boyz, the song was entitled, ‘Peanut Butter Jelly Time’. The track’s video featured a dancing banana, and ever since it has played in sports venues around the US and even featured in multiple episodes of Family Guy.
Despite the song’s uplifting, silly nature, the story of the man who sang ‘Peanut Butter Jelly Time’ and his demise is highly tragic, and it is linked to Snoop Dogg in the most personal way possible.
The vocalist behind the chipper track was named Jermaine Fuller. In 2002, the happy-yet-troubled singer got into an altercation with a Las Vegas police officer. After the vicious brawl, Fuller shot the officer in the chest and the head and ran away.
Following this heinous act, Fuller broke into a nearby apartment and took two men hostage. Although the two men managed to escape, Fuller locked himself inside the bathroom and threatened the arriving police officers by insisting that he would shoot if they tried to come in.
Following this, a stalemate occurred. However, during this time, Fuller contacted local television stations and told them he had a famous relative. The police then got in contact with his relative and relayed a tape that heard his renowned family member state, “It’s not too late. We’ve got lawyers who can take care of this. Just do what the police tell you”.
The relative was his brother-in-law, Calvin Broadus, better known to the world as Snoop Dogg. Although Snoop tried to save Fuller from a distance, the police found Fuller dead upon entering the bathroom. Following the incident, the Buckwheat Boyz disbanded. It was the group’s first and only single.
You can hear ‘Peanut Butter Jelly Time’ below.
