Snoop Dogg, a prominent member of the Crip gang, announced his support for Serena Williams’ Crip Walk dance she performed after winning her first Olympic singles gold medal in London.

While Serena received praise for taking home the top prize, it was her impromptu Crip walk celebration that ignited headlines.

WATCH: Serena C-Walk’s here.

After breaking into the gang-affiliated dance, which has become a cultural staple in Serena’s hometown of Compton, California, the dominating athlete was criticized by various media outlets that claimed she was glorifying the gangster lifestyle. But hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg, who recently announced a name change to Snoop Lion, praised the tennis all star. As a high profile member of the Crips, Snoop tweeted his support.  

Shot out to Serena williams. C walking at the Olympics Cpt style hahahahah! Go girl. twitter.com/SnoopDogg/stat…

— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) August 4, 2012

This is not the first time C-walking has created controversy. Several years ago, matinee rap idol Bow Wow made headlines for Crip walking in a music video. And former NBA player Brent Barry did the dance during the 2003 NBA All-Star 3-point contest.

Chief among Serena’s detractors is Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock, who in the past has been an ardent critic of the 14-time grand slam winner.

“Serena deserved to be criticized and she should have immediately appologized,” Whitlock wrote in his column. “Wimbledon isn’t a place to break out a dance popularized by California Crip gang members. She knows it. That’s why she got embarrassed when asekd by reporters to reveal the name of the dance”

“Actually, there is a name,” Williams told a throng of reporters. “But I don’t know if it’s appropriate. It’s just a dance we do in California.”  —Keith Murphy, CBS Local