The album peaked on the Billboard 200 album chart at #166 on July 25, 1992. Apart from the soundtrack compilation, it also appeared as a single and on Dr. Dre's First Round Knock Out (1996), which spent 2 weeks on the Billboard 200 starting at #52 and later on several greatest hits albums, including: Doggy Stuff and Doggy Style Hits.
Like the artist indication on the original 12" vinyl says, "Dr. Dre introducing Snoop Doggy Dogg", it is the first time Snoop Dogg was featured on a record. As a single it had no major breakthrough regarding sales, but it launched Snoop Dogg's career. It samples a number of 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s funk acts, such as Undisputed Truth's "(I Know) I'm Losing You" and Sly & the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song" (which provided the drumbeat). The single was set to be released on The Chronic (1992), but fallout from Body Count's banned song, "Cop Killer", prevented it since this song is also about killing police officers.
The film itself did not have much success (it only received 2 nominations on the Independent Spirits Awards in 1993), but the song was well received. The song was featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, on the radio station Radio Los Santos. During the 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show, T.I. and B.G. performed this song during Snoop's honor ceremony.
The short-story of this low-budget video is almost identical as the self-same titled movie starring Laurence Fishburne and Jeff Goldblum. An undercover cop goes deep in the hierarchic pyramid of the underground mafia to get the bosses locked up, and "goes deep" also by getting addicted to drugs while trying to not reveal himself. The video begins in the first scene with Snoop (Snoop's first appearance in a music video), Dre and a black kingpin in a smoky office in the middle of an initiation where Snoop has to decide between the pipe and being caught up.
After that introduction the music starts but the rest of the video is rather cut-to-cut and is a mixture of some five seconds long takes in black and white and some pictures from the motion picture. The scenes take place in a filthy concrete bungalow with several crack addicts and a projector flashing the movie itself on the wall. The house is later raided by the drug squad. There's also a scene with Snoop and Dre wearing business suits in a car, but it has no additional meaning to the plot.
* There is a previous version of the song entitled One Eight Seven (later known as Deep Cover Remix from the Fuck Wit Dre Day 12-inch EP, the 1995 album One Million Strong and the Death Row compilation Dr. Dre Chronicles: Deathrow Classics) which has a slightly modified sample and alternate lyrics. It is also a minute shorter (3:20). The title, which is also a part of the chorus refers to the police code, which stands for Murder in the US state of California.
* A song by Big Pun, featuring Fat Joe, called "Twinz (Deep Cover '98)", from his album Capital Punishment, featured the same beat and different lyrics. It is featured in the video games Saints Row 2, True Crime: New York City, and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, on the rap radio station The Liberty Jam.
* Ghostface Killah from the Wu-Tang Clan and DJ Green Lantern used the instrumental for their 'Internet Invasion' Mixtape's first song.
Deep Cover
Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Cop) No, naw man, I can't fuck with that
(SDD) Aww MAN, I been dealin witchu for three motherfuckin months
(SDD) You ain't hit the pipe in front of me yet!
(Cop) So what you sayin?
(SDD) I think you five-oh!
(Cop) Five-oh? Man I ain't no motherfuckin cop!
(SDD) Well hit dis motherfucker den!
{*pipe lights up*} ("I can feel it!")
(Dr. Dre) + (Snoop)
Tonight's the night I get in some shit (yeahhh)
+Deep Cover+ on the incognito tip
Killin motherfuckers if I have to, peelin caps too
cause you niggaz know I'm comin at you
I guess that's part of the game; but I feel for the nigga
who think he just gon' come and change thangs
With the swiftness, so get it right with the quickness
And let me handle my business, yo
I'm on a mission and my mission won't stop
Until I get the nigga maxin at the top
(I hope you get his ass 'fore he drop)
Kingpin kickin back while his workers slang his rocks
Coming up like a fat rat
Big money, big cars, big bodyguards on his back
So it's difficult to get him
(But I got the hook up with somebody
who knows how to get in contact with him)
Hit him like this and like that
Let 'em know that I'm lookin for a big fat dope sack
With ends to spend, so let's rush it
If you want to handle it tonight, we'll discuss it
On a nigga's time, and a nigga's place
Take my strap just in case one of his boys recognize my face
Cause he's a sheisty motherfucker
But I gives a fuck; cause I'm going +Deep Cover+
(Chorus: Dr. Dre) + (Snoop)
Yeah, and you don't stop
(Cause it's 1-8-7 on a undercover cop)
Yeah, and you don't stop
(Cause it's 1-8-7 on a undercover cop)
(Snoop Doggy Dogg) + (Dre)
Creep with me, as I crawl through the hood
Maniac, lunatic, call me Snoop Eastwood
Kickin dust as I bust, fuck peace
And, the motherfuckin punk police
You already know I gives a fuck about a cop
So why in the fuck would you think that it would stop?
Plot, yeah, that's what we's about to do
Take yo' ass on a mission with the boys in blue
Dre (whattup Snoop?) Yo, I got the feelin
Tonight's the night like Betty Wright, and I'm chillin
Killin, feelin, no remorse, yeah
So lets go straight to the motherfuckin source
And see what we can find
Crooked-ass cops that be gettin niggaz a gang of time
And now they wanna make a deal with me
Scoop me up and put me on they team and chill with me
. and make my pockets bigger
They want to meet with me tonight at seven o'clock (so whassup nigga?)
What you wanna do? (What you wanna do?)
I got the gauge, a uzi, and my motherfuckin twenty-two
So if you wanna blast, nigga we can buck 'em
If we stick 'em then we struck 'em, so fuck 'em!
("I can feel it!")
(Chorus)
(Snoop Doggy Dogg) + (Dre)
Six-fo'-five was the time on the clock
When me and my homey belled in the parkin lot
The scene looked strange and it felt like a set up
(Better not be, cause if it is they gettin lit up!)
Oh - here they come from the back in they 'llacs
I'm checkin for the gats they strap, so whassup black?
(Chill, let's hear the deal
If it ain't up to what you feel then grab your steel)
Right, so, what you motherfuckers gon' come at me with?
Hope you ain't wantin none of my grip
Cause you can save that shit (guess what they told me?)
"We give you 20 G's if you snitch on your homey
We'll put you in a home, and make your life plush
Oh yeah, but you got to sell dope for us."
Hmmm, let me think about it
Turned my back and grabbed my gat
and guess what I told him before I shot it:
"If you don't quit, yeah, if you don't stop, yeah
I'm lettin my gat pop - cause it's 1-8-7 on a undercover cop!"
(Chorus) - repeat to fade
The song "Deep Cover" by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg is a depiction of their experiences as young black men in underprivileged neighborhoods, their disdain for police brutality, and their willingness to do whatever it takes to survive. The lyrics describe how they are in "deep cover" and taking on dangerous missions, such as taking down a "kingpin" drug dealer, to gain control and success in an otherwise oppressive society. The song also notes the betrayal of fellow community members who are willing to turn on their own for personal gain.
The lyrics demonstrate the frustration and desperation of young black men who feel there is no other way to survive outside of the illicit activities and violence so commonly associated with their communities. The song underscores their feelings of anger and helplessness towards the system that oppresses them and limits their options for success. The repetitive chorus of "1-8-7 on a undercover cop" illustrates their distrust for law enforcement and the fact that they see them as an enemy that they must guard against.
Line by Line Meaning
Hit this motherfucker G
Snoop Dogg is offering the cop to smoke weed together.
No, naw man, I can't fuck with that
The cop refuses Snoop Dogg's offer.
Aww MAN, I been dealin witchu for three motherfuckin months
Snoop Dogg is complaining he's been with the cop for three months, yet he never smoked weed in front of him.
You ain't hit the pipe in front of me yet!
Snoop Dogg is questioning why the cop never smoked weed in front of him.
So what you sayin?
The cop is asking Snoop Dogg what he's trying to suggest.
I think you five-oh!
Snoop Dogg is accusing the cop of being an undercover police officer.
Five-oh? Man I ain't no motherfuckin cop!
The cop is denying that he is a police officer.
Well hit dis motherfucker den! {*pipe lights up*} ("I can feel it!")
Snoop Dogg is urging the cop to smoke weed with him, and the cop finally agrees.
Tonight's the night I get in some shit (yeahhh)
+Deep Cover+ on the incognito tip
Killin motherfuckers if I have to, peelin caps too
cause you niggaz know I'm comin at you
Dr. Dre is announcing that he's going on a dangerous mission to take down criminals in secret.
I guess that's part of the game; but I feel for the nigga
who think he just gon' come and change thangs
With the swiftness, so get it right with the quickness
And let me handle my business, yo
Dr. Dre is admitting that violence is part of the game and he won't hesitate to take down anyone who tries to interfere. He urges others to let him handle things quickly and efficiently.
I'm on a mission and my mission won't stop
Until I get the nigga maxin at the top
(I hope you get his ass 'fore he drop)
Dr. Dre is determined to complete his mission and take down the biggest criminal boss. He also hopes to capture him before he dies.
Kingpin kickin back while his workers slang his rocks
Coming up like a fat rat
Big money, big cars, big bodyguards on his back
So it's difficult to get him
Dr. Dre is describing the kingpin as someone who stays in the background while his men do the dirty work. He also has lots of money, fancy cars, and security, which makes it challenging to take him down.
(But I got the hook up with somebody
who knows how to get in contact with him)
Hit him like this and like that
Let 'em know that I'm lookin for a big fat dope sack
With ends to spend, so let's rush it
Dr. Dre is saying that he has a contact who can help him get to the kingpin. He also mentions that he's looking for a big stash of drugs with money to spend, and he plans to rush things.
If you want to handle it tonight, we'll discuss it
On a nigga's time, and a nigga's place
Take my strap just in case one of his boys recognize my face
Dr. Dre is suggesting that they handle the mission tonight and on their own terms. He also advises Snoop Dogg to carry a gun in case someone recognizes him.
Cause he's a sheisty motherfucker
But I gives a fuck; cause I'm going +Deep Cover+
Dr. Dre acknowledges that the kingpin is a sly criminal, but he doesn't care. He is determined to go deep undercover to take him down.
Creep with me, as I crawl through the hood
Maniac, lunatic, call me Snoop Eastwood
Kickin dust as I bust, fuck peace
And, the motherfuckin punk police
You already know I gives a fuck about a cop
So why in the fuck would you think that it would stop?
Snoop Dogg is calling himself a maniac and a lunatic, and compares himself to Clint Eastwood who is known for his violent roles. He also talks about his hatred for the police and claims that he doesn't care about them.
Plot, yeah, that's what we's about to do
Take yo' ass on a mission with the boys in blue
Dre (whattup Snoop?) Yo, I got the feelin
Tonight's the night like Betty Wright, and I'm chillin
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre are plotting to go on a mission with the undercover police officers to take down criminals. Dr. Dre mentions that he has a feeling tonight is going to be the night, referencing Betty Wright's song, 'Tonight is the Night.'
Killin, feelin, no remorse, yeah
So lets go straight to the motherfuckin source
And see what we can find
Crooked-ass cops that be gettin niggaz a gang of time
Dr. Dre is admitting that he doesn't feel any guilt about taking down criminals and is determined to go to the source. He also mentions corrupted police officers who put innocent people in jail.
And now they wanna make a deal with me
Scoop me up and put me on they team and chill with me
. and make my pockets bigger
They want to meet with me tonight at seven o'clock (so whassup nigga?)
Dr. Dre is saying that the undercover officers want to make a deal with him, and they even offer to help him make more money. They also plan to meet at seven that night.
What you wanna do? (What you wanna do?)
I got the gauge, a uzi, and my motherfuckin twenty-two
So if you wanna blast, nigga we can buck 'em
If we stick 'em then we struck 'em, so fuck 'em!
Snoop Dogg is asking Dr. Dre what they should do, and he lists the weapons that he has. He suggests that they can shoot the undercover officers if necessary.
Oh - here they come from the back in they 'llacs
I'm checkin for the gats they strap, so whassup black?
Snoop Dogg is noticing the undercover officers arriving in their Cadillac cars and he's checking if they're carrying guns or not.
(Chill, let's hear the deal
If it ain't up to what you feel then grab your steel)
Right, so, what you motherfuckers gon' come at me with?
Dr. Dre is telling Snoop Dogg to calm down and listen to what the undercover officers have to say. He also advises him to carry a gun if he feels threatened.
Hope you ain't wantin none of my grip
Cause you can save that shit (guess what they told me?)
"We give you 20 G's if you snitch on your homey
We'll put you in a home, and make your life plush
Oh yeah, but you got to sell dope for us."
Snoop Dogg is telling the undercover officers that he won't give up his drugs, and sarcastically suggests they save their offer. He then reveals that they want him to snitch on his friends and sell drugs for them.
Hmmm, let me think about it
Turned my back and grabbed my gat
and guess what I told him before I shot it:
"If you don't quit, yeah, if you don't stop, yeah
I'm lettin my gat pop - cause it's 1-8-7 on a undercover cop!"
Snoop Dogg is considering the undercover officers' offer, but he eventually decides to shoot them instead. He warns them that if they don't quit, he will shoot them because he believes they're undercover cops.
Six-fo'-five was the time on the clock
When me and my homey belled in the parkin lot
The scene looked strange and it felt like a set up
(Better not be, cause if it is they gettin lit up!)
Snoop Dogg is describing the moment when he and his friend arrived at the parking lot where the meeting with the undercover officers was supposed to take place. He's suspicious that it's a trap, and is prepared to shoot them if it is.
(Chorus) - repeat to fade
The chorus repeats several times, warning anyone who opposes them by saying 'it's 1-8-7 on a undercover cop,' using '1-8-7' as slang for killing someone.
Contributed by Henry L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@unclejackshdd
Any OG's bumpin this in 2024?!?!
@_Silly.goofy.exe_
YES
@yuris6125
Fasho! Keepin' it real.
@maskedxeni178
fosho
@gothicu
Till I die
@garyandrew5269
On my daily play list….
@TheKidAdge
The VERY first ever Dre & Snoop Dogg collaboration. Classic forever.
@lovecove920
Agree
@willalexander2013
one eight seven is the real one :)
@velvetthunder96
+Will Alexander isn't this the 187?