Today in Hip-hop recognizes the self-professed “Grand Uncle to Rap”, Snoop Dogg as he reaches year 45.
Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Snoop first entered the rap scene under the guidance of N.W.A.'s Dr Dre, who showcased the artist's flourishing potential in Dre's album, The Chronic back in 1992. The following year, Snoop made his official solo debut with the phenomenally-acclaimed album Doggystyle.
Signed under Death Row Records, the album featured several hit-singles such as “Gin & Juice” and “What's My Name?”, which altogether flaunted Snoop's distinct style, which in itself set himself apart from other rappers: “Snoop's vocal style is part of what distinguished him, where many rappers scream, figuratively and literally, [Snoop] speaks softly”, a review reads on Rolling Stone.
Undoubtedly a hit in its time, Snoop's debut album would historically be viewed as a Hip-hop essential, if not, a class record altogether. Doggystyle debuted at #1 on both Billboard 200 and its Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, achieving RIAA Quadruple Platinum in 1994, just one year following its release. In the years to come, Snoop Dogg's success and growing notoriety progressed all the more, through numerous albums, such as The Doggfather, R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta), Ego Trippin', Doggumentary, as well as his most recent one, Coolaid.
Aside from his super-smooth flow, Snoop was also known for his freestyle rap skills, as colleague, The D.O.C. reminisced, “Snoop's was a one take willy, but his s—t was all freestyle. He hadn't written nothing down. He just came and started busting. The song was “Tha Shiznit”, that was all freestyle. He started busting and when we got to the break, Dre cut the machine off, did the chorus and told Snoop to come back in. He did that throughout the record.”
With smooth rhymes and freestyle already on his palette, Snoop Dogg also proved the formidable trendsetter when he refashioned “Izzle-speak” into Hip-hop, as well as other genres adopting the trend.
In most recent events, the 2016 BET Awards granted uncle Snoop the much-coveted “I Am Hip Hop” title following a tribute speech conducted by fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar. Roaring applause welcomed the Grand Uncle, and Snoop advocated inspiration for younger artists, “They didn't understand me in the beginning either so you gotta keep pushing, stay who you are, be original, be diverse.”
.Jods Arboleda for RAPStation.com
