Back when Gangsta Rap was in its prime and NWA were Hip Hop royalty, there was a young man by the name of Calvin Broadus, who dreamed of making it big in the music industry.
Fast forward to 2005, and that same young man is now one of the biggest rap stars in the world. Better known to you and I as Snoop Dogg, the now 33-year-old Broadus has established himself as an all round entertainer, rapping, producing and acting, not to mention presenting his own show on MTV, Doggy Fizzle Televizzle.
With the release of Snoop’s latest album, Rhythm & Gangsta: The Masterpiece, came the rapper’s return to UK soil, as he toured Britain in February earlier this year for the first time in 11 years. He must have loved it then, because he was back just a few months later to give his UK fans another dose of the Doggfather live. This time around the London venue was bigger and more organised, (Wembley Pavilion is all seating), and the crowd was very much a mixed bunch. Instead of the stereotypical rap fan, Wembley Pavilion was packed with men, women and children of all ages, creeds and colors; such is Snoop Dogg’s appeal. Aside from all the differences, one thing was clear: everyone had gathered to see the superstar that is Snoop “Doggy” Dogg.
The applause and rapture that erupted when the lights were dimmed only highlighted the popularity of Snoop, a reception that only artists of the highest calibre can boast about. The audience were shown a short introduction video, (consisting of naked girls, some robbers and a shoot out), before the curtain opened to reveal a ‘Tales From the Crip’ backdrop, and Snoop standing directly underneath, wearing an airy one piece suit, made from the same cloth that all Crip members adorn themselves with.
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Snoop Dogg lapped up the screams and applause for a moment as he took a puff from his spliff, before launching into a medley of hits, including ‘Murder Was The Case’, ‘P.I.M.P. Remix’, ‘The Bidness’ and his new single, ‘Ups & Downs’, for which he was accompanied by his Uncle Charlie Wilson. Soopafly was also on hand to keep the crowd entertained throughout the 80-minute show.
After performing several of his more recent cuts, Snoop Dogg asked the audience, “Do you wanna hear some classic Snoop shit?” to which the reply was a unanimous “YES!” Succumbing to the crowd’s request, Snoop ran through old skool favourites such as ‘Gin N Juice’, ‘Snoop’s Upside Your Head’, ‘What’s My Name?’ and ‘Woof!’, all of which had the crowd chanting along. After doing a little tribute to 2Pac, Snoop performed a reworking of his collabo with Dre on ‘Next Episode’, and did his own version of Biggie’s ‘Hynotize’, which went down well with the hundreds of fans packed into Wembley Pavilion.
Soon it was time for the Long Beach native to wrap up the show, but not before he paid his respects to the innocent victims of the terrorist bombings in London the week before. Silence fell over the crowd as Snoop voiced his concern and sympathy for the families who had lost their loved ones, and he told of his determination to continue coming to London, despite the terrorist attacks:
“Someone said to me, ‘You still gon’ play in London after what happened?’ and you know what I said? ‘Hell muthafuckin’ yeah! I’ma do my show in muthafuckin’ London, England, and I’ma keep coming back!’”
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Snoop Dogg closed his set with some of his more summery vibes, like the Neptunes’ produced ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Signs’, as well as his massive hit single ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’. The Doggfather thanked his fans for turning out to support him, and soon the lights were back on, and people were heading to the doors.
Fans were on a high from the beginning to the end of the show, (and it wasn’t due to the spliffage being smoked on stage!). If rumours of a “joint” Snoop and Dre tour next summer are true, then remember where you heard it first, and grab those tickets when you can, for you will never see a better Hip Hop show in your life, guarenteed. If there’s one thing that Snoop Dogg does well, it’s entertain. And entertain he certainly did!
