Snoop Dogg returns with new album Back On Death Row. HipHopDX breaks down Snoop Dogg BODR.
The rise and fall of Death Row records is possibly one of Hip Hop’s most tragic tales and bigger what-ifs. It’s likely why hearing the iconic imprint and its masters, including Dr. Dre’s seminal 1992 debut The Chronic (and excluding All Eyez On Me), were now safely in the possession of Snoop Dogg was so satisfying for longtime fans.
Not letting the dust settle on the deal, the Doggfather dropped the label’s first new release in 14 years (and first original release in 17 years), BODR, an acronym for Bacc on Death Row.
There’s a lot to love on this album; things kick off with the DJ Battlecat produced “Still Smokin,” which reworks the intro to The Chronic. Considering the original served as a welcome to Death Row, it couldn’t be more fitting. With the bar high, things stay relatively consistent from that point on, with the production sparkling as D-O-Double-G sounds remarkably fresh for 50 years old.
DJ Battlecat (who produced hits such as Eastsidaz’s “G’d Up”) brings his enduring brand of G-Funk to “Coming Back.” The track sees guests October London and Nefertitti Avani murdering the talkbox—it’s like LA sunshine injected directly into your ear canal. The West Coast producer also crafts “Outside The Box,” which sports a brand new Nate Dogg hook smoother than butter in the sun.
A pleasant surprise here is Snoop’s work with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis collaborator Hollis, who flips Mista’s 1996 gem “Blackberry Molasses” for the T.I. and Sleepy Brown-featured “Gotta Keep Pushing.”
Snoop hasn’t lost a beat; his style and flow are aging like fine wine — even if it isn’t evolving much. While he skates over the more timeless vibes on this album, it’s hard to forget Snoop himself isn’t a young man. Hearing him get lost in sexual exploits on songs such as “Daddy” or talking about “raw doggin'” a girl who’s going “up and down on his pole” on “Sandwich Bag” feels unnecessary. From that end, just hearing him say “lit” feels strange, as does him getting overly gangster from time to time (something he’s far removed from at this point). Not to mention, a feature from DaBaby on “Pop Pop” feels like a deliberate attempt to garner streaming numbers.
Still, with producers such as Nottz, Bink!, Hi-Tek and more joining additional guests such as Uncle Murda, Nas, Wiz Khalifa and The Game, who comes hard on “Jerseys In The Rafters,” Snoop doesn’t try to keep up with the Joneses, so to speak, as much as he Crip walks to his own drum.
Snoop is a character — and characters in themselves don’t age (even if those portraying them do underwhelm at times). Returning to his roots, Snoop sounds like he’s back in his comfort zone with BODR. It’s a remarkably fun listen, right down to the outro, where he nods to Suge Knight’s classic “Come to Death Row” speech from the 1995 Source Awards. Over three decades in the game, BODR is a monument to the longevity that raw talent and consistent work can afford.
Catch a Vibe one of the best songs I heard this year, beat produced by Soopafly takes you to a place.
Nobody has ever repeated a classic record. I dont care what ya say. And Game so corny if it wasn’t for Fiddy he wont have a career. Jimmy Iovine was about to shelf him. Cause he called the shots. Interscope owns most of Aftermath. You got all these different guys. Either they not from that era or they from a different coast with a different sound. NAS made ok music but he not all that. Not buying this synthetic album.
Lmao you certainly got fif nuts in ya mouth for a rapper who ain’t even have any typa real musical career or output after grodt.
Fuck up pussy
Uhm Dre has The Chronic and 2001. A few rappers have had more than one classic record.
A well reviewed snoop album? I must be in a simulation.
Solid Album !
Top To Bottom !
His Strongest Effort In YEARS !
An Album Fitting From The Big Boss Dogg
& The Occasion. The Only Thing Missing
Is A Dr. Dre Track … Well, Sort Of
(Track 1 is a Dre Sample)
And Also Missing Is A ? Dogg Pound,
RBX & Lady of Rage Track.
I swear people on Twitter are paid social media plants with their comments on this album. But at least it ain’t no full emo auto tune drilled out music. It’s a better effort than previous albums, but could be better. Snoop the only dude that sounded gangsta lyrical, and just raps now due to being a household name with filler ABC D-O double g lyrics. He’s like the Game, except the games way more lyrical.
Sandwich Bag super heavy rotation
Snoop slept through the last 15 years and then drops this out of nowhere. Best album since Tha Last Meal. Love it other than the new guys included to be trendy like Dababy and a few others, not my bag and dont fit the vibe of the record. 4/5.
that album is INSANE considered its 2022 and his dropping heat that would both sound cool in 96 and today. From start to finish its showing Snoop is timeless and he will always be legend . Not to mention ”Don’t Go” is a brilliant but melancholy metaphor to when Snoop decides to put off the mic for good. Its gonna be the end of an era thats merging many generations together
Super dope album
I love everything you are doing snoop Dogg I love all of your music sending lots of love and prayers to you and your family all your music to me is fire ? percent
Solid Album !!!! A reminiscent of snoop’s connection to Dre’s “ the chronic” and his “doggy style” album. Took me back alil bit to the 90’s …you can see and hear the maturity, plus the control he has over his Death Row style and label !!! Anyone who doesn’t appreciate this album ,,,,DON’T KNOW !!!??0
GOAT Status
That Death Row intro is cold like the original. Snoop doing his thing!
Sensei Snoops New Album Really Opens The Door 4 #NEW Times Thats #BLINGLEWOOD At Deathrow Records! #SonyLegacyRecordings Has Made Going Back To Cali To SEE SNOOP & Resight #Father #2PacMusic Just As Exciting With Puff Daddy & Bad Boy Records! It Makes Me Make Belive Agian To Release A #HIT & SONY CAN! Sorry I Mean Diddy!
Fire
Sounds like more mediocre crap, pretty much just like everything else snoop made after 2000. Generic garbage.
$$$ C-Mo Hard Lessons Out Now !!!
Wack
Snoop hasn’t put out a good album since Doggystyle
Gee what an original, thought-provoking opinion
This half-a-hoe been overrated for decades. Pass. B!tch
Solid album from Snoop. I think it’s his best work since Cool Aid. 4 out 5 from me.