Submitted by HHDX Correspondent: Seven
Over 1,800 fans waited two hours for on January 2, for Snoop Dogg to appear on the stage at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Resorts Casino has been known for promoting more contemporary acts that appeal to a more suburban audience, attempted to increase their presence in the entertainment market in Atlantic City by bringing in Snoop. Many promoters and people in the entertainment business in the area were stunned when Resorts announced Snoop would perform.
There have been rumors for years that rappers would perform in an Atlantic City casino. More recently the rumor mill churned out, G-Unit and Kanye West, however it ended up just being that…a rumor.
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The concert was scheduled to start at 8 p.m. but unfortunately was delayed for unknown reasons…But, anyone who has been to a Snoop venue knows that they rarely start on time or end on time for that matter. Many in the Resort audience could not believe that Snoop would appear so late. DJ Do It All, a local Atlantic City DJ provided a blend of old and new school Hip Hop.
After numerous announcements regarding Snoops arrival, around 10pm the stage area was hit with a volley of blue lights signaling his arrival. Snoop dressed in a green sweat suit appeared on the stage to a barrage of cheers. Many forgot about their tired feet and tried to secure a better vantage point of the stage as Snoop began to excite the crowd.
Snoop made people forget they were in the casino and turned the show room into a giant house party. Daz Dillenger, his uncle June Bug and the world famous Archbishop Don “Magic” Juan accompanied him while the band ripped behind him provided the perfect backdrop for the 32-year-old rapper.
As he commanded people to raise their hands in the air he took the crowd on a ride of Snoop classics such as “Lodi Dodi” and “Ain’t No Fun” from his 1993 release “Doggstyle”. The classics were brought to life by the five-man band and DJ. Bass-heavy beats filled the air and caused the floor to vibrate, at times it seemed that the sound system would not be able to handle the music. While Snoop spat his hits, Don Juan worked back and forth on the stage showing off his gold goblet and heavily iced jewelry.
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From his newest CD, Snoop performed the former No. 1 single “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Let’s Get Blown”. A charismatic Snoop was able to work the audience from start to finish. His performance gave many who have stayed away from Hip Hop a chance to see what the youth have been drawn to for the past twenty years and gave Hip Hop listeners in the Atlantic City area a chance to see a local Hip Hop show.
An insider stated that Resorts, which has one of the oldest groups of patrons, brought in Snoop in an attempt to bring new blood into their casino. And that they may be attempting to create a new patron base as the older group starts to visit the casino less.
Although casinos have reached out to urban acts in the past such as Jill Scott, the Kings of Comedy Tour, New Edition, Chris Rock and others, they have all strayed away from rap acts. Snoop has become such a cultural phenomenon in the past few years. He has appeared in a stream of movie roles in several high-profile pictures, and TV commercials. His cross over appeal was definitely instrumental in helping Resorts decide to select him as the first rapper to break into the market that has refused to allow rap performances for twenty-five years.
