Maintaining relevance by remaining open to new ideas is a key to longevity and respect, a concept Snoop Dogg has a keen knack for at this point. Last year’s snoozed over LP BUSH was the overdue culmination of collaborations with long-time benefactor Pharrell Williams but the world’s most recognizable rapper returns to form having outlasted practically all of his peers with Coolaid, his fourteenth solo album. The cover shows his well-known animated likeness pouring cups for youth from jugs labeled Swag, Style and Lingo, as he puts on a 77-minute crash course in self-celebration while setting out to prove he deserves consideration amongst today’s elite.
“Legend” sets things off, an intro showing the willingness to adapt to updated formulas, as he yells his delivery while breaking down his extensive history. Snoop’s 180° energized switch from his usually cool demeanor caters to the dabbing generation that likely views him as a relic, but in turn, he also makes certain to please day one followers. “Ten Toes Down” is steeped in the rhythms of traditional West Coast easy riding music, while Just Blaze bridges the gap between the sinister ‘90s and DJ Mustard’s modern day simplicity on “Super Crip”.
While Snoop resumes working with a diverse range of producers and an array of guests, Coolaid establishes for the umpteenth time that he’s more than capable of holding his own. To his credit, close associates and other elder statesmen show up in lieu of predictable sure shot chart toppers that could come off as nonsensical. Early single “Kush Ups” featured affable stoner in arms Wiz Khalifa once again helping the Dogg reach the youth with humorous references to smoking as a form of exercise. Where this is an organic means of staying hip, Jazze Pha singing about Instagram culture on the otherwise catchy “Double Tap That” could be taken as an overreach for radio play. The biggest fault lies with Swizz Beatz’ contributions that add little to the equation. “Light it Up” is pretty pointless without drums, and Snoop struggles to find his place on both “Side Piece” and “Let the Beat Drop”.
A seasoned veteran who always manages to keep in touch with his roots, Snoop Dogg has an impressive sense of urgency regarding his status as a symbol for LA street culture while no longer living in the thick of it. (“I don’t hang in my hood but I bang in my hood, I’m affiliated” he laments on the appropriately included “Affiliated”.) Coolaid essentially functions best when it delves into old school influences, from the ‘80s R&B sound of “Oh Na Na” to the post-disco homage “Two or More” and the electro-funk of “What If”. Though this project shows he can continually develop his style without losing a shred of authenticity, the trouble is an utter lack of cohesiveness. Casting such a wide net over the span of 20 songs ends up being a gift and a curse as the brighter moments risk getting dimmed out by extremely ambitious attempts that fall short. Running so long ensures filler and repetitive topic material, but overall Snoop makes a strong case against ageism as he fuses the adult contemporary and Gangsta Rap genres.
Dope album!
its so dope. finally HIPHOP is back. it took so long.
Snoop King!
5/5
I wish every Snoop album sounded like this.
A fair review. I definitely prefer is throwback tracks to his modern tracks, but he’s got 2 generations of fans to keep happy. I’ll take the songs I like from it and let others enjoy the rest.
me gusto mucho
me gusto
I really liked about half of the songs on this joint but the other half was kinda meh. My favorite tracks were definitely Ten Toes Down, Dont Stop, Super Crip, Point Seen Money Gone, My Cars, Oh Na Na, Affilitated, and What if. Basically the second half of the album really drags but thats how so many rap albums are. Way too many tracks that should be cut to make a stronger album overall. But in all a decent album from Snoop for Summer 16.
Way better bush!
Great album better than desiigners
Half of it is good like how short is on there
Amazing
Def not his best but i’ll def keep it on rotation in my car for the next month or so
Now all we need is a new 7 Days of Funk album
Id give it the same rating as DX. It’s a decent album. I hands down prefer the songs like super crip and cool aid. Sound like somthing from the blue carpet treatment. If I had a choice, Id only put snoop dogg on doggystyle, and death row 90s “murder” style beats. He really shines on tne creepy murder rap beats. It’s truly his signature sound. I wish he could have had a dr dre productiob or two, but that’s just a dream
It’s OK. But again, there are moments that I wish someone killed Snoop after the Doggystyle. This album definitely needed a better opener. And some classic Dre G Funk beats.
This album was a GOOD album. My favorite songs would have to be “Coolaid Man” or “Ten Toes Down”. I agree with this article saying that Swizz Beatz took away from the album. However, I STRONGLY DISAGREE with this article on the song “Legend”. I feel it is a HORRIBLE attempt at making a Drake style song relevant to the younger generation. Overall, this album to me is 80%, a C+. Out of 20 songs only “Legend” is bad and a few other songs are forgettable.
What remedial ass school did you not graduate from??? 80% is a B-minus…
Snoop is fire all the way through,production on deck. Regsrdless what the writer says , i love the Swizz Beats arrangements! The CD art work is incredibleby his Cuzzin,the original DOGGYSTYLE artist Darryl JoeCool Daniel is ode to Doggystyle . Super Crip isnt funny note is it meant to be. Great art anf a better message! Pat yourself back Snoop! This is one of your best ever Crip Cuzz!
i enjoyed the album, few forgettable songs but to the most part enjoyable!
Fire!!
not bad all in all, definitely surprised!
His worst album yet. Just retire already.
Been makin trash for the last two decades, overrated trash ass rapper.
Don’t talk about your transsexual mom/dad like that. The article is about snoop. Please keep it on topic.
Should’ve got some beats from Daz instead of Swizz.
Dope album, but like the gentleman pointed out blow, some Daz beats would have been nice.
I’d give it a 2.5/5
It’s a decent effort like most of his more recent albums. That’s not such a bad thing either.
That’s the best of 2016 so far!
-0.1
Best Snoop album album since Blue Carpet Treatment, dope album
Agree
Face it Snoop made one great album DS and then became a cartoon rapper with patetic songs about being a pimp and smoking weed. Dude is 45 years old and acts and dresses like he is 18 years old. Retire Snoop. The 90’s are over! Hiphop sucks nowadays. Even the golden generation can do nothing about it.
shut up kid
Shut up bitch tits, go eat sloth nutsack you chapped lip rump wrangler
Only gay niggas focus on another niggas age..He’s a OG so he dresses and acts how he wants.Not how people expect him to act/dress.That’s what grown ups do.WHAT THEY WANT!!!!!!!
Other that Blue Carpet or Topp Dogg, snoops albums are usually 50/50 (not counting Doggystyle). His albums def are not as bad as the groupthink hip hop fans say they are.
I enjoyed his first five albums quite a bit. Last Meal was the last album of his I remember playing for weeks on end. There are a few good songs on here, but nothing spectacular. 2/5.
He’s 3’rd album (the 1’st @ no limit) was garbage
He’s 3’rd album (the 1’st @ no limit) was garbage
He’s 3’rd album (the 1’st @ no limit) was garbage
He’s 3’rd album (the 1’st @ no limit) was garbage
You can say that again.
Good album but not spectacular! The people want that old GFunk/drawl flow! Usual suspects DoggPound, west coast artists features and production????
Just horrible and disappointing
Not a bad at all. has a few skippable tracks, but still a solid album
Worst snoop album.
Thank you Snoop! This is my top album of the year! Show em how it’s done! Will put this in the classic pile.
This is a great album! Super Crip was pure fire!!! Nothing in recent Snoop comes close to this track – thanks to my man Just Blaze.
a CLASSIC album
Dope Album.I would of like to of seen more smooth cool player joints , thats snoops strong point smooth funky throwback shhh…. player music….like he did on Rhythm and gangtsa with bootsy and also ups and downs ….fresh pair of panties that boss n up playa snoop is unfuckwittable
Solid album! Super Crip, Ten Toes Down and Coolaid are my current Favz on the album (the list might change with more spins tho).
Wow.
Most consistent effort in years! 3 or 4 tracks are my faves right now. (4/5)
Album is dope. Snoop at his best. You see all the experience, his maturity, his evolution.. Like the title of the first, he’s a Legend!
One of his greatest.
Album is Dope……..
5 good tracks on the album the rest is pretty wack these OGs need to stop allowing the wack trap swag artist to be on there album S M H just givse these OGs a bad rep they do now need
What trap artists are on this lol wiz is definitely not trap in this, swizz and too short are as far from trap as you can get, jeremih is a singer and same for the london dude
This joint jammin #GFunk4Life
3,9? u kiddin me huh
Love the album, the beats and the flow remind me of classic Snoop from day of DS and MWTC.
Classic 5
Horrible album. Don’t waste your money on it! If you’re looking for the old Snoop, stick with his first albums. Production on this is wack. Where is Dr. Dre? Where is Hi-Tek? ALC? 9th Wonder? Swizz doesn’t deliver and Just Blaze got 1 good track on it. Timbaland, retire already. 4 or 5 tracks are good if you’re listening hard enough, like “Revolution” and “Kush Ups”. Overall, a weakass album 1,5/5
PS.: Nate Dogg I miss you man.
Fire album,ever tracks a banger best snoop album since last meal!
… Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
This is a pretty solid album. I’ll give it 4/5
One of his better albums over the years, I can actually listen through the whole album without skipping tracks.
I like this album perfect 4 summertime nice beats ..im the coolaid man….its just good music to party with girls swizzzy…..just chill its music …
GOOD TRACKS ON THIS ALBUM . NICE VIBES