Write up by John Milovcic
It’s rare that a rapper becomes a cultural icon. Long Beach California’s Snoop Dogg has become just that. It has been 20+ years since he released Doggystyle. More than two decades since we first heard Gin and Juice, What’s my Name, or his version of Lodi Dodi. He is an actor, I guess. I only say I guess because he really plays himself, or a version of himself, on film. He has made appearances in movies like Half Baked, Old School, or 2004’s Starsky and Hutch, he can be considered an actor. He made an appearance on Katt Williams’ comedic DVD The Pimp Chronicles Pt. 1.
Obviously he’s more than just a rapper. He is more than an actor or producer. He became an advocate for friends that are 420 friendly. He is a voice. He became a cultural icon in present day America.
Snoop Dogg was live at the Emporium in Patchogue, Long Island. Through a haze of bong smoke Snoop took the stage. He took his west coast flavor, G funk attitude and cool persona, grabbed the mic and started speaking the lyrics “With so much drama in the LBC.” Familiar words set to melodies can bring back a rush of memories.
Snoop’s entire set lasted less the ten minutes. It was disappointing but not unexpected. He did a handful of quick tracks such as Gin –n- Juice, Drop it like it’s Hot, and The Next Episode, took in a lot of second hand smoke, shook a few hands and just like that he was out.
Snoop Dogg released a new album produced by Pharrell Williams, called Bush. The first single released is Peaches –N- Cream. This is a follow up to 2013’s 7 days of Funk when he took the moniker of Snoopzilla.
No matter what marketing direction he takes, or what name he goes by Snoop Dogg, Snoop Lion, Snoopzilla will always be the guy rapping about being “Two in the mornin and the party’s still jumping cause my momma ain’t home.” Here is to things staying the same.