Unleashing Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle Legacy
Unleashing Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle Legacy
Explore the groundbreaking debut of Snoop Dogg with 'Doggystyle'—a hip-hop milestone that defined an era.
In the early 90s, Calvin Broadus, known as Snoop Doggy Dogg, quickly rose to prominence in hip-hop. His unique style was first showcased on Dr. Dre’s single “Deep Cover,” and by the end of 1992, his contributions to Dre’s groundbreaking The Chronic had solidified his status in the genre. Following this success, Snoop Dogg released his debut album, Doggystyle, which became one of the most eagerly awaited records in hip-hop history.
The debut of Snoop Dogg was reminiscent of the rise of Eazy-E following N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton. The Chronic and Doggystyle introduced a new voice with a magnetic presence in hip-hop. While The Chronic is often seen as the more influential album, Doggystyle boasts a more cohesive structure. In contrast to the former’s darker tones, the latter offers a lighter, more soulful sound with greater emphasis on live instruments over samples. Thematically, the LP draws inspiration from 1970s Blaxploitation films like Superfly, whereas The Chronic was shaped by the backdrop of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.
During the production of Doggystyle, Snoop faced severe legal challenges; he was accused and later acquitted in connection with the death of Phillip Woldemariam. This event overshadowed the album’s release but did not diminish its impact. There has been speculation that the project was submitted incomplete because Dr. Dre aimed for perfectionism. Facing release delays and pressure from distributors threatening to cancel orders, Dre reportedly had to rush the final production stages. This included recording skits quickly and leaving some tracks unfinished—for instance, “The Next Episode,” which appeared in early pressings but achieved more incredible polish on Dre’s 2001.
Despite these setbacks, Doggystyle excelled creatively and commercially upon its release. It secured quadruple platinum status and established Snoop Dogg as an international star. Despite “Who Am I? (What’s My Name)” being considered the weakest track on the album, it was followed by “Gin and Juice,” which became an iconic song featuring one of Snoop Dogg’s most memorable opening lines and hooks. The track paints a vivid picture of a party that grows increasingly wild as night passes. Another standout track is “Tha Shiznit,” where Snoop’s effortless flow shines over a keyboard-laden beat, possibly hinting at freestyle verses.
The album also includes “Lodi Dodi,” a controversial cover of Slick Rick’s “La Di Da Di.” This move was significant in hip-hop culture, where originality is highly prized, and covering another artist’s work was rare. Snoop’s rendition paid tribute to one of hip-hop’s great storytellers and opened doors for future covers within the genre. “Murder Was the Case” is another notable track from Doggystyle, offering a narrative about the dangers of street life and temptation. The song features a story where Snoop makes a Faustian bargain after being shot, only to find himself trapped in a cycle of violence that leads to a metaphorical life sentence.
Tha Dogg Pound members Daz and Kurupt filled supporting roles on Doggystyle. They shone alongside Snoop on tracks like “Doggy Dogg World,” which blends soulful rhythms with cautionary tales of success and betrayal. On “Serial Killa,” they join forces with RBX for a darkly rhythmic warning against crossing their path. Kurupt particularly stood out on “For All My Ni**az and Bitches,” delivering an award-winning performance that showcased his lyrical talent.
The album’s most notorious group track, “Ain’t No Fun (If the Homies Can’t Have None),” is a brazenly explicit favorite among fans. Nate Dogg, Kurupt, and Warren G join Snoop in recounting their sexual conquests. Nate Dogg’s initial verse on this track brought him significant recognition and ranks as one of his finest career moments. As a product of its time, the mid-‘90s gangsta rap track doesn’t shy away from controversial themes, with a chorus that humorously endorses sharing intimate partners with friends. The song remains catchy yet can evoke mixed feelings when revisited after a quarter-century.
The brief but impactful “Gz Up, Hoes Down” showcases Snoop’s seamless flow as he asserts his street credibility through a stream-of-consciousness delivery. Originally part of the album, it was removed due to sampling issues (as of this writing, it’s re-released everywhere). Its removal smoothens the transition to “Pump Pump,” which shares the aggressive tone of “Serial Killa.” In this track, Snoop blends his signature style with Jamaican patois while Lil’ Malik delivers one of his final noteworthy verses.
After its success, Snoop encountered several challenges that temporarily hindered his career. Following murder charges related to Phillip Woldemariam’s death, Snoop spent years preparing for trial until his acquittal in February 1996. Concurrently, Dr. Dre parted ways with Death Row Records due to conflicts with Suge Knight; thus, he did not produce or oversee Snoop’s second album. Released nearly three years post-Doggystyle, amidst tumultuous events including 2Pac’s murder and Knight’s imprisonment on racketeering charges, Tha Doggfather fell short compared to its predecessor.
Snoop has largely realized the potential evident in Doggystyle. But since then, he released a prolific yet uneven array of music, including three albums under No Limit Records. Despite some albums being criticized for their lengthiness, he has continued to produce iconic singles and shown ambition by exploring various genres—from gangsta rap to R&B/Soul influences—a reggae project recorded in Jamaica—and even releasing a gospel album earlier in 2018 before returning to his roots with BODR four years later. While maturing in certain respects, he retains much of his original charm—the effortlessly cool emcee who can deliver powerful rhymes or relax easily—successfully navigating high expectations from hip-hop enthusiasts and cementing himself as an iconic figure in music history.