Snoop Dogg "Missionary" (2024)

 

 

Thirty one years on from the iconic Doggystyle, a beloved West Coast duo return for an inspired set of songs reveling in the twilight years of their careers. I'd summarize Missionary as two veterans bringing the very best out of one another. Dr. Dre's production forges fine beats focused on aesthetic class. Lacking potent melodies, these tracks assemble gorgeous sounding instruments in rhythmic arrangements, striking with clarity to indulge on. Complex with subtle details and intricacies yet easily digested on the firm foundations of Hip Hop groove. Moods sway fun and plentiful, from bouncing LA vibes to introspective atmospheres, Dre covers a fair span of instruments to expand cultural horizons and keep this record flowing fresh.

Snoop has the unenviable position of spinning his tried and true rhyme themes over again. Despite an exhaustive output over the decades, he seems as vibrant as ever, giving every song a firm concept. With steady flow, his mannerisms entertain, refreshing yet familiar, finding a handful of cunning rhymes between his casual delivery. The burden is lightened with a guest on practically every track. Only on a couple of collaborations did I get a sense of elevation through presence. Last Dance with Tom Petty and Jelly Roll, Another Part Of Me with String, two fantastic songs bridging genres, complementing well for unique numbers to remember.

On first listen, the handful of classic Hip Hop interpolations and nostalgic call backs perked my ears. You could call it a false impression. These references swiftly faded behind the bright lights of all new this duo has to offer. Only Gangsta Pose had a whiff of Doggystyle chemistry. Listen carefully, its subdued baseline plays like a G-Funk throwback. I had initially expected the pair to do more of this. The past is the past, I'm thankful they didn't resurrect old ideals as clearly there was freshness here to explore.

Rating: 7/10

Snoop Dogg "Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told" (1998)

 

In my youth, this one caught my attention with its overt, unabashed use of 90s Photoshop aesthetics. The then trendy Pen & Pixel Graphics covers are certainly eye catching. At the time, I cared little for the music but since learning of Master P and No Limit Record, my interest is renewed. Snoop was keen to exit Death Row Records, as many of its artists were. He found home and friendship down south, No Limit records taking him in with a warm embrace. The result? Essentially a creative low point for the legend as he is rotated into the album production line at the peak of cultural relevance before a sharp decline in the years to come. Despite going double platinum, this ain't one to be remembered but within a couple notes of interest make themselves known.

No surprises, features from the No Limit crew are in abundance churning out the raps. Produced by Beats by the Pound, the aesthetic, tone and No Limit cliches dominate the narrative. I'm fond of the occasional beat but for the most part, this is ruggedly rushed, now dated and simplistic music, lacking sparks beyond a routine music creation system. A couple tracks try to recreate classic G-Funk grooves. Gin And Juice II & Still A G Thing whimper from the shadows of game changing anthems yet do have a compelling knack to them, mostly driven by Snoop's persona.

 Snoop is a raw adaptation with this crew, his often near spoken word, snide flows and crude lyrics rarely bloom beyond shallow showboating. His identity as slick and cool as ever yet the gangster oriented stance affirming and general vulgarities become a tire quickly. The hooks and chorus are all too casual to get in deep across a massive twenty one songs on a typically bloated, 80 minute CD filling project, the No Limit way!

There is one blemished jewel to be found however. DP Gangster has Snoop and C-Murder resurrecting an N.W.A classic, reinterpretating the beats and flows of Gangster Gangster. Its essentially a cover, a re-imagination, something that seems to be a no-no in Hip Hop, yet I thought it was a delight. I'd love to hear more artists taking on old tracks, giving them a different spin! Anyways, I knew this was going to be disappointing but with curiosity leading the way, I had a bit of fun!

Rating: 4/10

Snoop Dogg "Neva Left" (2017)

Given the mild mediocrity of last years Coolaid and the landmark Doggystyle decades behind him, I had little reason to tune in this time around, however the albums cover intrigued me, a young "Snoop Eastwood" as he might say. The picture was taken in 1992 and the album name Neva Left hinted of something nostalgic at work. Opening with his mission statement, Snoop drops a slick a smooth flow affirming his originality and gangster authenticity over Wu-Tang Clan's classic C.R.E.A.M. Initially I wasn't so sure about the the pairing but like much of the album it grew on me with each spin.

The record has a tight collection of bold beats, mostly with a big and raunchy G-Funk sounds with big punchy synthetic baselines. The songs are lined with tips of the hat to the oldskool, samples like A Tribe Called Quest's "Back in the day" and the occasional use of retro 80s drum machines paint the theme. "Go On" brings the sunny vibes with a classic summer party tune to mellow out to, his guest October London illuminates the song with a swooning chorus that's just infectious. Its not all retrospective though, the records production, handled by many, brings the best of old and new together.

Neva Left is a fantastic statement by Snoop who lays down some of his best rhymes in years, reminding us of his style, persona, attitude and even dedicates a song to his American football league named after himself. It leaves its mark but the record suffers from the same variety that's its strength when songs like "Trash Bags" and "Toss It" cutting in with obnoxious lyrics and trendy beats, the mood suffers. In a stronger light, "I'm Still Here" conjures Snoop Lion and his Reggae love but it sticks out like a sore thumb. Consistency in direction would of served the experience very well.

There are many impressive tracks though, B-Real, Redman and Method Man unite as the four horsemen of weed on the stoner track "Mount Kushmore". KRS-One turns up on "Let Us Begin" with some tight rhymes and brap sounds to blast your ear drums. Snoop brings a lot of guests on, all do there part but the records peak is with "Vapors", a reconstruction of the classic Biz Markie song, the beat is sharp, dense and layered and Snoop's slick flow is perfect for the classic. Its a pleasantly surprising show from the west coast legend who on a handful of songs does his best in decades.

Favorite Tracks: Neva Left, Go On, 420, Lavander, Mount Kushmore, Vapors, Love Around The World

Rating: 6/10

Snoop Dogg "Coolaid" (2016)

As he states it in the opening track, Snoop Dogg's a living legend and "Coolaid" is the fourteenth record from the American superstar who solidified his name in the history of music with his iconic debut "Doggystyle" back in 93. He has never manage to reach that peak again but has remained in the limelight ever since, appearing at all sorts of cultural events and consistently releasing records every couple of years. Personally I haven't been particularly impressed with his output since 93 but every record has a few decent songs and "Coolaid" is a slick, smooth record with easy going, polished beats and steady, lush instrumentals. Snoops flow is as smooth and stylish as ever, however a lack of lyrical substance weighs down the mood as Snoop flips the same themes over. At seventy seven minutes the slick hooks and catchy versus get lost between a lot of fluff and mediocrity from Snoop. He focuses much of his words on status, image and general braggadocios themes which get tiring. Snoop has often been about his unique style and persona on the mic but when the rhymes are half baked it can fall flat.

Snoop's production choices are a little varied across the record with modernized beats intermingling with G-Funk and synthesizer instruments. It flows well, hits a high point with the summery oldskool "Oh Na Na" and a low with "My Carz" where Snoop raps over Gary Numan's classic track "Cars". It lacks charm or chemistry, the two styles feel opposed to one another. Then "Two Or More" comes in, another highlight culminating with some breezy jives and Disco like funk. The synths on this track are gorgeous and chorus really sells the track. Its a moment where Snoop and the beats are their best and for the most part you don't quite get both together. That's just how it sounded to my ears, a well produced record that's easy to enjoy but it lacks the trim to put the best moments together in a shorter run time.

Favorite Tracks: Oh Na Na, Two Or More, Kush Ups

Rating: 4/10

Snoop Doggy Dogg "Doggystyle" (1993)

Known around the world as an icon of Hip Hop culture, Snoop Dogg's story both starts and ends with his debut record "Doggystyle", a Hip Hop classic that broke sales records and helped solidify the west coast's popularity with mainstream audiences. The records success is truly justified by its artistic content as Snoop drilled his persona, slick flow and boisterous G-Funk style home after creating a memorable debut on Dre's "The Chronic". Since the release of this record back in 93 Snoop has never artistically come close to the heights soared with his debut, but has remained ever present with a continual string of mediocre records, guest features and putting himself in the limelight through movies, advertisements and appearances on a frequent basis. He has kept his brand and image going all these years, and its off the back of a classic timeless record that never gets old.

When Snoop first gained exposure through his collaborations with Dre he instantly established his name through a unique style he would be strongly identified for. A slick, steady flow oozing with style and attitude, Snoop's laid back raps were delivered with memorable multisyllabic rhymes, often for the izzle and izzites as Snoop manipulated words with a brand of his own. It wasn't just the flow that was easy going, the straight forward use of language and to the point phrasing had listeners of a broader audience understanding. Snoop also had the light toned "sing raps" in the arsenal alongside a dynamic flow in which he could shift the pace effortless mid verse. The exaggerated gangster persona further solidified his appeal with violent, raunchy lifestyle tales of another culture, glorifying the extremes depicted in his lyrics. On paper it sounds unexpected, but thats what makes it work, glorified gangster lifestyle stories told through charming, slick and softly delivered raps with a mass appeal for counter culture.

As classic as Snoops flow is, the instrumentals on this record are an undeniable staple mark of its success, produced by Dre, Doggystyle represents a finely crafted set of G-Funk numbers that push the style and groove into a universally appealing territory as these layered tracks ease the listener into there charm, a subtler approach from the bombastic, upfront numbers on "The Chronic". Working with tight drum loops, the charm emanates from three instruments, firstly the grooving bass, rocking and swooning under the drums with power and substance. Secondly the anthemic ghetto whistles, blazing swirling melodies and lingering in the mix provide an array of memorable hooks and infectious tunes. Thirdly the pianos, used like a glue to hold the various elements together they rarely take the forefront but reside between the instruments, breathing warm melodics into the grooving sound. Beyond these three theres some fantastic use of electronics and a constant detailed layering of subtitles that can be heard, filling the spaces perfectly.

Its a Hip Hop classic, and a terrific record in general, but on a personal level I've always found this record to have an unusual uplifting vibe even when in the darker, gangster tracks the ghetto whistles, tight bass grooves and Snoops chilled out persona is a warming one. Tracks like "Gin And Juice", "Whats My Name" and "Doggy Dogg World" are all round fun tracks with a party vibe that still feels relevant today. Snoop put his mark on the world with this record, and it will be celebrated for a long time.

Favorite Songs: G Funk Intro, Gin And Juice, Murder Was The Case, Who Am I, Doggy Dogg World, Pump Pump
Rating: 10/10