Def Jam Recordings appointed West Coast legend Snoop Dogg as the new Executive Creative and Strategic Consultant in June, and the Long Beach native is looking to make waves at the label. His first step in doing that is releasing his first Def Jam album, The Algorithm.

On Tuesday night (October 26), Snoop Dogg held a special listening event for his new album in New York City and invited an exclusive list of people such as Dave East, DJ Whoo Kid, producer Lena Waithe and The Voice of New York Angie Martinez. Snoop was vibing throughout the night, taking pictures with friends and fans and hitting his patented dance moves.

Before he got into the music, Snoop spoke to everybody in the room about his 19th studio album while revealing some of the guest features, who happen to be names he’s been looking to work with for some time. Snoop’s first Def Jam release is slated to drop on November 12, and fans can get excited about a number of first-time collaborations on the album.

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“This project right here, The Algorithm, it started in this building right here, this is where it was created right here,” Snoop said. “Charmaine got me some studio time when I came to New York, she called a couple of players that I really wanted to work with: Fab[olous], Dave East, Benny The Butcher was called up here by DJ Whoo Kid and we started making magic, we started doing what we do to create The Algorithm.”

Snoop Dogg swung by The Breakfast Club on Wednesday morning (October 27) and announced more of The Algorithm‘s supporting cast while clarifying the project is more of a Def Jam compilation than a solo Snoop record.

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“It’s just using me as the front guy to get the attention and awareness on Def Jam and what I plan on doing at Def Jam,” he said. “You start listening and you like, ‘Damn! It’s got a Mary J. Blige song, a Usher song. Come on, Red and Meth!”

Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss are also expected to appear on the album.

At Tuesday night’s listening event, Snoop Dogg explained he went back to Los Angeles and started building the project with his team. Once it was complete, he brought the album to Def Jam and wanted them to feel the pure excitement he felt when joining the historic label. He also spoke about the love and appreciation everyone has been giving him in New York City.

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“I’ve been going through some things lately, but this makes me feel good when I can come out and see love, see appreciation,” Snoop said. “When I can come out and see the love that my mother instilled in me and see it given back to me. So y’all making me feel real good tonight.”

On Sunday (October 24), Snoop Dogg revealed his mother, Beverly Tate, had passed away. The announcement was made on Instagram with a photo of Tate dressed in a red outfit and smiling.

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“Thank u god for giving me an angel for a mother,” he wrote in the caption. “TWMA [Til we meet again].”

Snoop Dogg Reveals His Mother Beverly Tate Has Died

Tate’s cause of death was not disclosed, but she had been battling a sickness for some time. Snoop suggested his mother wasn’t doing well in May, and asked his friends, fans and family for prayers. In July, the West Coast gangsta rap pioneer shared a photo of his mother in the hospital surrounded by her family.