Luckily, they didn’t drop it like it’s hot. Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams both carried Olympic torches Friday morning (July 26) in the final leg of the 2024 relay, which will soon culminate in the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremonies, signifying the beginning of the Paris Games.
More than two months after the Olympic flame was first lit in Greece — after which it crossed the ocean to be relayed all over France — the Doggfather transported his torch through a stretch of Seine-Saint-Denis. In a video posted shortly afterward, the 52-year-old rapper Crip Walks and waves to nearby fans while carrying the precious cargo.
“I look at this as a prestigious honor and something I truly respect,” Snoop, who will provide on-the-ground coverage of the Games for NBC this year, previously told the Associated Press of being tapped for the relay. “I would have never dreamed of nothing like this. I’m going to be on my best behavior. I’m going to be on my best athleticism. I’ll be able to breathe slow to walk fast and hold the torch with a smile on my face, because I realize how prestigious this event is.”
Later, Pharrell served as the final bearer of the torch before the flame makes its way to the Olympic cauldron, carrying it to the top of the Basilica of Saint-Denis. French journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi and actress Laëtitia Casta first completed the final handover of the flame to the producer, who then entrusted it to the Keeper of the Flame for storage in the official lantern ahead of the opening ceremonies Friday afternoon.
The “Drop It Like It’s Hot” collaborators are just two of the latest musicians to carry the torch in Olympic history. BTS’ Jin carried the flame earlier this month, while John Legend, Olivia Newton-John, Will.i.am, Loretta Lynn, Lance Bass, Mel C and more have also all participated in the relays of years past.
The Olympic Opening Ceremony is set to kick off around 1:30 p.m. ET Friday, taking place on the Seine. The festivities will air live on NBC, streaming on Peacock, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV.
Watch Snoop participate in the 2024 Olympic torch relay below.
