From Snoop Dog to Ice Cube: Celebrity stage names vs. their real names

Most of them, occasionally, have a myriad of reasons as to why they have monikers that they use in the public domain.

Some are nicknames their families made when they were young, while others were given to them by their castmates or friends.

These celebrity names will make you see your faves in a whole new light.

Snoop Dogg. 

Snoop's real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. 

The American rapper, 50, is celebrated for his pivotal in the music and hip-hop culture. He is also a songwriter, media personality, actor, and entrepreneur. 

Broadus has sold over 23 million albums in the United States and 35 million albums worldwide since the early 90's when he went global.

Drake. 

The 35-year-old's real name is Aubrey Drake Graham.

The 'Hotline Bling' Canadian rapper doubles as a singer and actor. He is a certified influential figure in modern popular music and is arguably one of the most successful rappers boasting a net worth of Ksh 25 billion ($250 million).

Cardi B.

Cardi B's real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar

The 29-year-old 'Bodak Yellow' hitmaker is known for her aggressive flow and candid lyrics. She has become an iconic star in the music industry.

Rihanna.

Fously known as 'Riri', the successful Barbadian star's real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

 Rihanna, 34, has traversed different scopes throughout her career doubling as a singer, actress, fashion designer, and business mogul. 

Through her cosmetic line Fenty, she boasts a net worth of Ksh 1 Trillion ($1.7 billion).

Ice Cube.

Ice Cube's real name is O'Shea Jackson.

Now at 53, the American rapper and actor whose membership in the seminal gangsta rap group N.W.A gained him acclaim and launched his controversial but successful solo career.

He has managed to rake in a networth of Ksh 10 billion ($100 Million).

Nicki Minaj.

The iconic female rapper's birth name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty.

The American rapper and singer/songwriter is of Trinidadian descent. Nicki, 39, is known for her rapping versatility, sharp lyrics, and animated flow, as well as her use of alter egos and accents.

The weekend.

Only a few of his fans know that his real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye.

The 'Starboy' hitmaker, 32, is known for his sonic versatility and dark lyricism. His music explores escapism, romance, and melancholia, and is often inspired by personal experiences.

Lil Wayne.

The iconic rapper's real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.

He is commonly regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, and is often cited as one of the greatest rappers of all time.

Dr. Dre.

The American record producer is officially identified as Andre Romelle Young.

Dre, 57, is the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, and previously co-founded, co-owned, and was the president of Death Row Records.

He is honored in the rap industry for overseeing the careers of many other rappers, including the D.O.C., Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Knoc-turn'al, The Game, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson.Paak.

Lil Baby.

Lil Baby's real name is Dominique Armani Jones.

The 27-year-old rapper rose to mainstream fame in 2017 following the release of his mixtape Perfect Timing.

He is recognized as one of the best headliners among the new-generation rappers.

DaBaby.

Formerly known as Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, DaBaby has also been a hit maker among the new-generation rappers.

The 30-year-old rose to fame in 2019 after releasing several mixtapes between 2014 and 2018