For over 20 years (and counting) Snoop Dogg has made a career by mixing a melodic drawl with his more aggressive, punctuated bars. It’s been a career that’s seen peaks both during and after his Death Row years as well as the valleys of at least one No Limit album some would just as soon forget. Both on and off the mic, Snoop has constantly reinvented himself—even at his worst when he’s opting to only rhyme basic phonetic vowel patterns. His latest album, Reincarnated, showcases him melding the theology of a spiritual reawakening in Jamaica with an associated interest in Reggae music. The drawback is that Snoop’s most powerful asset—his voice—is misappropriated. He alternates between being a bit player on some of his own tracks (“Get Away”) or venturing outside of his vocal range with a forced Caribbean patois.
Like any quality Reggae offering, Reincarnated is both catchy and uplifting when it’s firing on all cylinders. “No Guns Allowed” is an excellent casting of Drake, allowing him to showcase the trademark vulnerability he’s alternately praised and derided for via a personal anecdote about violence in his native Toronto. And after the recent bombings in Boston, Snoop’s decision to address mass violence hits epescially close to home. Similarly, “Tired Of Running” strikes the perfect balance between vintage Snoop Dogg and the new Snoop Lion. Snoop shows an accountability we’ve rarely seen from him (or few other Top 40 emcees) when he sings, “I’m sittin’ on my porch watchin’ the law / As they roll pass in they patrol car / So tell me why I feel like the enemy / They supposed to be here protecting me / I might have went too far / Helping to contribute to making their job hard / Servin’ fiends like these people ain’t no kin to me / I can’t believe I’m out here killin’ my community…”
Ultimately, that’s the dilemma with Reincarnated. We’ve seen Snoop pensive and reflective—best executed on some of Blue Carpet Treatment’s standout cuts. And “Beautiful” allowed Snoop to showcase his chops over Caribbean-flavored Neptunes production. Yet the decision to half sing and half rap yields a surplus of tracks that are mediocre (“Rebel Way,” “So Long,” and “Smoke The Weed,”) or just downright unlistenable. For example, “Fruit Juice” has Snoop essentially droning on about—you guessed it—juice. It’s diffucult to understand the utility or motivation behind him singing, “Natural vibes are what I give ‘em / Me princess love it when me ride ‘pon de riddim / Natural berries are so very good for the system / Some tart some sweet, me just can’t resist ‘em…”
The road to discounted and discarded albums is paved with good intentions. Listeners fortunate enough to get the complete Reincarnated experience saw both Snoop’s moving documentary and got a brief taste of the music as well. Sadly, the album in and of itself doesn’t offer that similar window into Snoop’s evolution. Snoop Dogg (or Lion) has transcended Hip Hop and possibly music in general. He’s courting some listeners who had either yet to be born or were too young to remember exactly what he’s being reincarnated from. For a bit of perspective, his “Ashtrays & Heartbreaks” collaborator Miley Cyrus was about three-years-old during Hip Hop’s East Coast versus West Coast feud, Snoop’s Source Awards rant or his 1993 acquittal on charges to commit assault in connection with the death of Philip Woldemariam. Most of those events are a distant memory to listeners old enough to be active participants in Hip Hop culture when they actually happened. Maybe that speaks more to the continual evolution of Snoop Dogg than any possible music project. His immersion in Rastafarianism has produced a middling album, at best. But given his talents and charisma, it’s easy to see him eventually successfully merging his spirituality with the business of making music.
Thx for the review HHDX, but where’s Papoose’ Nacirema Dream…?
Regardless of everything else, I think it deserves a spot in here.
“where’s Papoose’ Nacirema Dream?”
In the Bargain Bin at your local store…
And you’re an idiot, or haven’t stepped into a music store. Usually if an album is in a bargain bin its because it was wildly successful and there are so many copies pressed they’re dirt cheap.
A bargain bin refers to an unsorted selection of merchandise, particularly softwares, tools and CDs, which have been discounted in price. Reasons for the discount can range from the closure of a production company to a steep decline in an item’s popularity in the aftermath of a fad or scandal.
In more recent years, both terms have taken on a figurative meaning – most notably as a synonym for ‘low-quality’ or ‘unimpressive’. The most common implication of an item’s presence in a bargain bin is its low quality. “Knock-offs”, for example, are associated with the term.
^reeeaaaaaaaaaaachh
it would have been funnier if you tried going w/ how it wouldn’t be carried in stores. sorry 🙁
Do you ever give an album less than 3?
I thought it was an overall great album, Snoop doin something way different but also way more positive, especially for the youth. If Pac was alive, I could definitely see a 40-year Pac hoppin’ on the “Tired Of Running” track! Some nice gems on this album, cop it and smoke one for the West Coast
Not really sure how smoking weed on the cover is positive, but O.K.
it is if you’re rasta. similar to how if it had wine on the cover it wouldn’t be bad for christians.
Negro Pleaz! What u aint ever smoked the ganja??? Oh smoking weed is bad right? Thats why god created it, smoke some and listen to your favorite album, and see where it elevates your mind… I didnt even smoke when i heard this album
Atleast its something different. I dig it
all albums reviewed get a 3 they’ll praise it or criticize it still 3
Snoop is Snoop, gotta respect that dude
5 / 5
Snoop is a clown now..
Basula.
Dont care if this is good or shit.
But wheres the papoose and styles p reviews at
i feel u . these muthafuccas aint gonna bring the papoose album review cos they dont show no love. that album was dope as hell and it been a while now since it was released. wat yall doin hiphopdx ??????? yall mad cos it was dope n u cant write no bad review bout it ??
Co-sign
where the Papoose Album Review at?
Fuck Snoop, his only good album was Doggy style
yeah it’d be one thing if these albums were dope albums, but they’re all getting 3s…maybe they’re just takin their time.
Its not bad at all
HHDX stays giving 3’s to everything
this is bullshit REGGAE…. next
album is so wack
Shut these other artists up/ These niggas is garbage as fuck
This album is garbage worst album i ever heard and i like some reggae i thought it would get a 1/5 for sure but HHDX are pussys out im done with this site for real!!!!! Nothing but retarded editors with bad grammar and weak reviewers who are probably sucking dick for a star or two GOODBYE im looking for a new site
yea this site has gone to hell try rapgenius.com and let your opinion be heard
COSIGN THIS SHIT!!!!!! HHDX THE EMPLOYEES YOU HAVE ARE FUCKING IDIOTS!!!
from what i heard, the album isnt’ that bad. however i do agree that hhdx could do better. they’re better than others like sohh, but they could be better than they are. if i find another site, i’d rather go there.
This shit is a disgrace to reggae
Reggae is more than disgrace to music. Sounds terrible, no matter which artist I listen to.. It just doesn’t sound good. Trust me, I’ve been listening to some since my girlfriend listens to this many reggae artists. I’m not saying that everyone should hate it, no! Everyone has their own taste of music.
It’s reggae..I don’t know why it’s on this side..anyway this Album is very good and i will listen to it all summer long!!! Fk dem hatters!! xD
all the talented rappers out in the world begging to be heard, and we get this terrible shit. get outta here with this bullshit snoop, 1 star.
why do you even care?
I’m giving the review a 1
I cant believe I even tried to listen to this shit what a fucking joke
Snoop fell off bad. He’s trying to fit in today’s crowd and he comes off looking really bad. I think this is the end of Snoop.
snoop doesnt give a fuck about this bullshit music these young cats are tryin to be cool to. hes an old man now and doesnt fit in with you fuckin little kids.
ehh, the guests saved it tbh 2/5
If you don’t like snoop anymore then give it a one and keep it moving.Snoop is trying something different so I can respect that. Either way I give a 2. No hate
motherfuck a lion
lol! hahaha!
3?!?!
2 in the best. :/
Good album IMO
allready platinum
lol its wack
WTF is snoop doing. Who the fuck is Snoop Lion Bitch nigga fell off and can’t fit in with these new niggas #comeonsnoop
get off his nuts and let the man be a man. fucking kids.
This shit is banging & u know it.
FUCK the haters.
shut up its wack
people are just hating………
and also giving their opinions NOT EVERY NEGATIVE COMMENT IS HATING- KNOW THE DIFFERENCE YOU RETARD
there is a difference. one of the symptoms of hating is making a judgement w/o even listening to it.
Still got more money than all u haters…
yep money defines you as a true rapper real rapper. YO I GOT BILLIONS IM THA FUKKEN BEST RAPPA EVA MA NIGGUH
and? retard
snoop is the best
Snoop got rap songs which will never end,pass generation,his generation,our generation,and the coming generation will be still listening to them just like BOB….what the fuck are you stupid people saying!!!,its time he change the tune “tired of this gangster shit.
Great fucking album!!! Life changer (no kidding)…
How exactly did snoop change your life?Lol ,you stans are Fucking funny.That album is below average
Lot of mixed reviews on here and tbh I thought the album would be terrible…. but its not, 3 n a half from me, and im not a big snoop fan btw
WTF he was thinking with the fruit juice song is beyond me, bar that id say quite a solid reggae debut
lol lol lol
Considering Snoop ain’t dropped a decent album in 20 years I can’t envision any scenario in which I would listen to this or any other Snoop album, barring one completely produced by Dr Dre.
*no vote*
ego trippin was decent imo and the blue carpet treatment
yeah blue carpet is good
very good album.
you hight 2
The production on the album is really good. Too bad Snoop didn’t reach out to some real reggae artists, like Sizzla, Buju, Capleton or Jahdan Blackkamoore
one word WACK!!!
I’ve lost any and all respect for Snoop now. What the hell happened? Way too much mary jane?
THIS ALBUM IS A FIVE STAR COOL
u must be smoking too much
lol
HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM !!!!
eh… cuz its wack and this is not a reggae website
On top of the fact that this is not a reggae album, simply pure garbage.
The fact that this guy has a Song called “no guns allowed” at a time when a presidential regime is trying restrict our second amendment rights is Unforgivable.. I thought snoop was HipHop.. guess that shit changed.. what a joke
Hahaha wow, you’re such a fucking idiot
fuck the 2nd amendment
no country’s citizens to OWN FUCKING GUNS YOU AMERICAN RETARD
This is the worst shit i ever heard in my life. WTF
lol lol lol lol lol
oh i know
Snoop is the shizz
Midlife Crisis
Snoop is/was and always will be a musical genius in his own right and while this album may not be to everybody’s liking one fact remains true: the point of hip hop and reggae is that there are no rules. So what if snoop wants to change his style, to move away from his gangster past.. Wether you love this album or hate it the bloke is making music he wants to make and you should respect that.
For me snoop dogg will always be a west coast rapper, affiliated with the greats of 2pac and Dre, but lets face it, he ain’t getting any younger and this is a solid reggae album when you look at is as a reggae album and not a new snoop dogg album. Yes, there are a few questionable tracks, but then there are a few questionable tracks in every are of snoops past.
Chill out haters, if you don’t like it, don’t listen…….
thats why this sold 30k copies and has his worst songs fuck outta here dumb ass
@anon, the sales aint out yet fool
Yous niggas is pussys fuck that gun law real niggas don’t register there straps we get ours off the streets n start dumpin
faggot
that’s why blacks are dumb and get locked up all the time
yeah real mature
it’s a piece of shit
Wasn’t the Source Awards thing w/ Snoop in 1995, not 93?
Say that shit all you want.. I’m a felon So I’m not even suppose to own guns.. I do anyway.. Either way though it’s about the Restrictions.. guns are here so that we can fight off tyranny and protect ourselves.. every country that has been taken over by tyranny started with Gun Control.. look up the history yourselves.. find out What the Fuck is what before you start spouting ignorant Bullshit that you know nothing about
you talk pure shit- your a no brain fucking idiot
america is backwards. no citizen should own a gun you fucking weirdo bastard
I’d Like To Buy The Album?????
I Don’t Really Feel Like It!!!!
But Snoop’s Tryin Someting New….
I’ll Gamble On The CD And Buy It But
FUCK SNOOP SAYING HE’S BOB MARLEY REINCARNATED :/
dON’T TALK THAT SHIT YOU COCK SUCKER BUT I FOR GIVE HIM THO 🙁
Its a pretty good album. After hearing all these other rappers like lil wayne, 50cent, Pitbull etc… collabo with pop and dance music artist, i like what snoop is doing with raggae. Aint nuthin but a Raggae thang baybaaaaa
idiot
Look at the tracklist and tell me how much pop singers are on it, stupid fuck!
The album is solid
worst shit ever
foarte pizdos album!
from republic of moldova blea)
Good Album, fuck the haters who thinking being over 40 and still trying be a nihilistic 18 year old gang banger is cool. They’re are some really stupid people. A lot of the people hating on Snoop are the same ones listening to wack ass rappers from a middle class background trying to front like they from the ghetto, like the fucking retard Tyler the Creator. Big ups to Snoop for evolving as a person.
Come on now. Snoop’s doing his thang. Fresh tunes in a time of shitty beats and hipster rap. Snoop’s cool and riding his own bike. Respect!
this album is really good, fuck this shit. beats are amazing and he murders it on most the songs. Smoke the weed is one of the dopest songs of the last few years
/sign
I Love that Song too!
snoop lion the king of the fuccin jungle faggets
only the queen would know that!
i wonder how much guns snoop got probably a few aks and ars lol
I luv it.
5 out of 5 points for this hot shit of an album right here. Best ragge since Bob Marleey this album reincarnated myself true talk! Haters be hatin cauz they kno Snoop always carrying the big cars and the big gwoupe.
Amazing album, great transition between genres. 5/5
its wack as fuck
Snoop for ever, in raggae and hip hop music
Hey snoop 1st of all im loving the new album,thr music is tops ,& cant wait 2u come to scotland so i can hear you in the flesh,ur my hero you snoop x
fucking freak
Zero respect for tha doggfather for this shit, wack as hell… think he Bob Marley? GTFO.
Shit is dope
this is not hip hop NEXT
good for him to shad of that snoop dog death row gangsta rep.
snoop doggy dog to Snoop Lion shows how time changes people AND mAYBE FOR THE BETTER.
Drake looks and sounds so fucking gay lol
Reincarnated is definitely a great album to listen to. I have listened to it over 30 times. I don’t think I have listened to a Snoop Dogg album that many times since the Last Meal. This is easy listening, no hardcore rap just mellow for my years in the game. Dope! and positive
great album
I love the album
Loved it
This is a terrible review of this album and a lot of statements are simply wrong.
He sure sings true: we at war with an army of haters…..
I respect this album and what he tried to achieve.
And for future reference- Rastafari, DO NOT want an ‘ism’ attached to its title. Homework check people!!
yuck this album what a faker money raker white bread toasted is what this shit is dry as fuck