Snoop's debut album, Doggystyle, produced by Dr. Dre and released in 1993 by Death Row Records, debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200 and Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Selling almost a million copies in the first week of its release, Doggystyle became certified 4× platinum in 1994 and spawned several hit singles, including "What's My Name?" and "Gin & Juice". In 1994 Snoop released a soundtrack on Death Row Records for the short film Murder Was the Case, starring himself. His second album, Tha Doggfather (1996), also debuted at number one on both charts, with "Snoop's Upside Ya Head" as the lead single. The album was certified double platinum in 1997.
After leaving Death Row Records, Snoop signed with No Limit Records, where he recorded his next three albums, Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told (1998), No Limit Top Dogg (1999), and Tha Last Meal (2000). Snoop then signed with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records in 2002, where he released Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss. He then signed with Geffen Records in 2004 for his next three albums, R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, and Ego Trippin'. Malice 'n Wonderland (2009), and Doggumentary (2011) were released on Priority. Snoop Dogg has starred in motion pictures and hosted several television shows, including Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, Snoop Dogg's Father Hood, and Dogg After Dark. He also coaches a youth football league and a high school football team. In September 2009 Snoop was hired by EMI as the chairman of reactivated Priority Records.
In 2012, after a trip to Jamaica, Snoop announced a conversion to Rastafarianism and a new alias, Snoop Lion. As Snoop Lion he released a reggae album, Reincarnated, and a documentary film of the same name, about his Jamaican experience, in early 2013. His 13th studio album, Bush, was released in May 2015 and marked a return of the Snoop Dogg name. His 14th solo studio album, Coolaid, was released in July 2016. Snoop has 17 Grammy nominations without a win.
In 2018, he released his first gospel album, Bible of Love.
Kool Moe Dee ranks Snoop at No. 33 in his book There's a God on the Mic, and says he has "an ultra-smooth, laidback delivery" and "flavor-filled melodic rhyming". Peter Shapiro describes Snoop's delivery as a "molasses drawl" and AllMusic notes his "drawled, laconic rhyming" style. Kool Moe Dee refers to Snoop's use of vocabulary, saying he "keeps it real simple...he simplifies it and he's effective in his simplicity".
Snoop is known to freestyle some of his lyrics on the spot for some songs – in the book How to Rap, Lady of Rage says, "Snoop Dogg, when I worked with him earlier in his career, that's how created his stuff... he would freestyle, he wasn't a writer then, he was a freestyler," and The D.O.C. states, "Snoop's [rap] was a one take willy, but his shit was all freestyle. He hadn't written nothing down. He just came in and started busting. The song was "Tha Shiznit"—that was all freestyle. He started busting and when we got to the break, Dre cut the machine off, did the chorus and told Snoop to come back in. He did that throughout the record. That's when Snoop was in the zone then."
Peter Shapiro says that Snoop debuted on "Deep Cover" with a "shockingly original flow – which sounded like a Slick Rick born in South Carolina instead of South London" and adds that he "showed where his style came from by covering Slick Rick's 'La Di Da Di'". Referring to Snoop's flow, Kool Moe Dee calls him "one of the smoothest, funkiest flow-ers in the game". How to Rap also notes that Snoop is known to use syncopation in his flow to give it a laidback quality, as well as 'linking with rhythm' in his compound rhymes, using alliteration, and employing a "sparse" flow with good use of pauses.
Snoop re-popularized the use of -izzle speak, particularly in the pop and hip-hop music industry.
Snoop Dogg is a lifelong fan of professional wrestling. On March 30, 2008, Snoop Dogg appeared at WrestleMania XXIV as a Master of Ceremonies for a tag team match between Maria and Ashley Massaro as they took on Beth Phoenix and Melina. On a March 23, 2015 episode of Raw, Snoop Dogg appeared in a segment with Hulk Hogan and Curtis Axel. At WrestleMania 32, he accompanied his cousin Sasha Banks to the ring for her match, rapping over her theme music. He was also inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016.
Broadus made a special guest appearance in All Elite Wrestling on the January 6, 2021, episode of AEW Dynamite, titled New Year's Smash. During this appearance, Snoop appeared in the corner of Cody Rhodes during Rhodes's match with Matt Sydal. He later gave Serpentico a Frog Splash, with Rhodes then delivering a three-count.
Snoop Dogg would join The Miz to host both nights of WrestleMania 39. During Night 1, he accompanied Rey Mysterio in a lowrider during his entrance, paying tribute to the late Eddie Guerrero. On Night 2, he introduced Shane McMahon to face The Miz in another spontaneous match. McMahon would sustain a quad injury during the match prompting Snoop Dogg to improvise and finish the match himself, ultimately defeating Miz. Snoop Dogg's improvisational acts were lauded by wrestlers and executives, including WWE chief content officer Triple H.
Downtown Assassins
Snoop Dogg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These fuckin' guys scream all of this shit, huh?
They want us to go out and come back in
And start this fuckin' shit all over again, or somethin', huh?
We got the fuckin' money and they don't got the fuckin' stuff?
I tell you man, they fuck with Tray, ayo Daz Dillinger, Corleone (yeah)
They don't know us
The street value of that is what you dream to make
Runnin' illegal business, racketeering
Smugglin', doin' things from handling the gun is what they fearin'
Bodyguards and hitmans like some Al Capone shit
Heavy artillery got the cops on my dick
Different locations, spots where it take place
If you short on my money, your ass is gettin' filleted
There's four major gangs that run the city of G's
The Violators, the Gambinos and the Corleones and me
The Violators and Gambinos, they run uptown
Me and my cousin Corleone, we run downtown
Murder's an every day thing in the city
Where you gotta clock chips, jack robberies and doin' hits
Ton, Eighty, and Nate, in charge of the weapons
Hit from verandahs and do our thing unexpected
So we plan a plot with an Uzi and ten shot
Buck 'em 'til they all drop, circle 'round the block
Let 'em have it as soon as they come out
Unload on they ass, commence to takin' 'em out (out)
Throughout the streets of Long Beach
The streets was infested with drugs, dope peddlers and addicts (yeah)
Gangs have taken over seventy-five percent of our town
As the young youth behavior is outrageous with crime
They feel no remorse whatsoever
As the law enforcements have tried to stop the trafficking of drugs
From comin' into our country, but they can't
The murders have increased more than ninety-five percent
And the drug amount of which they make
Is more than seven hundred million dollars
Now wanted by the IRS and we will convict them of tax evasion
I had no choice or remorse when time for puttin' it down
Niggas know the scoop is stupid if they come from my town
I been around since the Jumpstreet makin' it pop
Young crook keepin' hook, nigga shakin' the spot
Had to be a standout not to get ran out
Look for help, you help yourself 'cause ain't no handout
Since the city Long Beach is only Gs and hoes
You hold on your heat for them fiendish foes
Trust, bust, be aware and I ain't your curse
'Cause the niggas that I dared to'll gank you first
Think I might be deceased 'fore I reach my callin'
But long as I'm haulin', my heat I'm stallin' (shh)
I bring it to you hard from the streets of life
Where niggas get rewarded to grief with stripes
Don't speak on the creep, move, fools is listenin'
And war story glory ain't worth the riskin'
Real niggas still get a mob like respect
If you represent your set 'til you bite the deck
Who I be? I'm the Dee, nigga, check the file
Under G you will see not to sweat my style
I'm takin' 'em out
Everybody, okay
Take a good fuckin' look at the bad guy
It's the last time you gonna see a bad guy look like this, huh
You know, I tell you, huh, Corleone
I come through blastin', me as a Downtown Assassin
Mashin', may they rest in peace in they caskets
Shoot 'em down in front of Hassans
Should've known from the gate, who's the baddest
In my zone, Don Corleone, wanted
For the murder of forty men
Ordered to hit and watch him kill again and again
From the U.S. seas I shift ki's, a hundred and twenty plane rides
Multiplied by Gs, eighty-seven point three million in a matter of months
Big business and big dollars is all that I want
I blaze up to celebrate, new empire to make
Toast, 'til we all die, 'til we burst and break
From knives to guns, from the rich to the slums
We ran out of dope, I don't think so, son
While I be gunned by a mark from the enemy park
From daylight to reach dark, gettin' all the clucks to spark
From when I pick 'em off like darts, stab 'em in they hearts
Make an example, what I said, you end up dead
Spray the wall with graffiti like hogs for all my lost dogs
Never reach until I see the blue sky 'til I die
All I ever want is to be left alone
Me, myself, me, my dope, me and my chrome
Got paid by cops and judges, I budge when I buzz
I got the City of Long Beach goin' crazy for drugs
I tellin' you man, we do them good
And they don't do us good back, huh
But you know what a hustle is Don Corleone?
A hustle is a pig that don't fuckin' fly straight, okay?
They wanna play rough, huh? They wanna play rough, okay
Say hello to my little fuckin' friends
Okay, look at you now
You look like the fuckin' cockroaches now
DPG
The song "Downtown Assassins" by Snoop Dogg is a rap that tells a story of drug trafficking, illegal businesses, murder, and betrayal. The first verse, performed by Daz, talks about running an illegal business and racketeering. He also mentions the names of the major games that run the city, including the violators, Gambinos, Corleones, and him. Daz describes how murders are an everyday occurrence in the city, where people have to plot their crimes and robberies to stay alive. The second verse, performed by Tray Dee, talks about how he had no other choice than putting the city down. He has been around since jump street, making it pop and shaking the spot. Tray Dee brings the real-life experiences of Long Beach's streets, saying that the city has only a few gangsters and prostitutes, and one needs to hold onto their heat at all times. Snoop Dogg brings up the rear, performing the final verse. He describes himself as a Downtown Assassin mashing and taking out people in the city. He talks about making a new empire, blowing up and celebrating with new business deals.
Line by Line Meaning
Vision 88 kilos of cocaine smack-dead in your face
Imagine seeing 88 kilos of cocaine right in front of you
The street value of that is what you dream to make
The amount of money that cocaine would sell for is beyond your wildest dreams
Run an illegal business, racketeering
Engage in illegal activities and run a criminal organization
Smuggling, doing things from handing a gun, is what they fearing
Engage in smuggling and other illegal activities, including using firearms, which intimidates others
Bodyguards and hitmen like some Al Capone shit
Employ bodyguards and hitmen, just like Al Capone did
Heavy artillery got the cops on my dick
The police are after me because of the weapons I have
Different locations, spots where it takes place
Illegal activities occur in various locations
If you show them my money, your ass is getting f-laid
If you somehow reveal my money or assets, you're going to suffer greatly
There's four major games that run the city of G's
There are four major gangs that control the city
The violators, the Gambinos and the Corleones and me
The three other major gangs are named Violators, Gambinos, and Corleones, and my gang is the fourth
The violators and Gambinos they run uptown
The Violators and Gambinos control the northern part of the city
Me and my cousin Corleone we run downtown
My cousin and I control the southern part of the city
Murder's an everyday thing in the city
Murders occur frequently in the city
Where you gotta plot chips, jag robberies and do in its
You have to plan robberies and other crimes to survive in the city
Canadian Nay, the charge of the weapons
My weapons are supplied by the Canadian Navy
Hit from verandas and do a thing unexpected
Execute surprise attacks from balconies and do the unexpected
So we plan a plot with an Uzi and 10 shot
We plan to carry out a violent attack with an Uzi machine gun with 10 rounds
Buck em till they all drop, circle round the block
Shoot them until they're all dead, then circle around the block
Let em have it as soon as they come out
Attack them immediately when they come out
Unload on their ass, commence to taking them out!
Shoot them multiple times and kill them all!
Throughout the streets of Long Beach
The problem I'm describing is present on the streets of Long Beach, California
The streets was infected with drugs, dope dealers and addicts
The streets were full of drugs, drug dealers, and addicts
Gangs have taken over 75% of our town as the young youth behavior is outrageous with crime
Gangs control 75% of the town and the youth engage in outrageous criminal behavior
They feel no remorse whatsoever, as the law enforcements have tried to stop the trafficking of drugs
The gang members have no regret and law enforcement has been unable to stop the drug trafficking
From coming into our country, but they can't
Despite the efforts of law enforcement, they can't stop the drugs from coming into the city and being sold
The murders have increased more than 95% and the drug amount of which they make is more than 700 million dollars
Murders have increased by over 95% and the gangs make over 700 million dollars from selling drugs
Now wanted by the IRS and we will convict them of tax evasion
The gangs are being targeted by the IRS and will be charged with tax evasion
I had no choice or remorse for time for putting it down
I had no choice but to engage in violent behavior and didn't feel any remorse
Niggas know the scoop is stupid if they come from my town
People know they're in for trouble if they come from my town
I been around since the Jumpstreet making it pop
I've been around for a long time, making things happen
Young crook keeping hook, nigga, shaking the spot
I'm a young criminal, but I'm still making things happen and causing chaos
Had to be a standout not to get ran out
You have to be different and stand out to avoid getting kicked out
Look for help, you help yourself 'cause there's no handout
You need to rely on yourself because no one is going to give you a handout
Since the city Long Beach is only G's and hos
The only people in the city are gangsters and prostitutes
You hold on ya heat but them fiendish foes
You need to be cautious because your enemies will try to take your weapons
Trust, bust, be aware and I ain't ya curse
You need to trust me, but also be aware and cautious when you're around me
Cause the niggas that I dared to 'agank' the first
I'm not afraid to fight those who challenge me
Think I might be deceased 'fore I reach my calling
I may die before I fulfill my purpose in life
As long as I'm hauling my heat I'm stalling
As long as I have my weapon, I'm in control and delaying my death
I bring it to ya hard from the streets of life
I'm giving it to you straight from the harsh realities of life on the streets
Where niggas get rewarded to grief for strikes
The more violent and ruthless a person is, the more respected they become
Don't speak on the creep, mo' fools is listening
Don't talk about illegal activities as there may be people listening and it could lead to trouble
And war story glory ain't worth the risking
There's no glory or worth in risking your life for stories of violence
Real niggas still get a mob like respect
People still respect those who are truly violent and ruthless
If you represent ya set, till ya bite the deck
If you represent your gang, you'll be loyal until your death
Who I be? I'm the Dee, nigga check the file
My name is Dee, check my record if you don't believe me
Under G you will see not to sweat my style
Under the category of 'G' (gangster), you'll see that you don't need to worry about me
I come through blasting, me as a Downtown Assassin
I come through and start shooting as a hitman in the downtown area
Mashing, may they rest in peace in they caskets
Killing people and hoping they find peace in their graves
Shoot em down in front of Hassans
Kill someone in public where the event is witnessed by others
Should've known from the gate, who's the baddest?
You should have known from the beginning who is the most dangerous person around
In my zone, Don Corleone wanted
I'm focused on achieving power and respect like Don Corleone from The Godfather
For the murder of forty men
I'm wanted for the murder of 40 people
Ordered to hit and watch him kill again and again
I've been told to carry out an assassination and to continue killing others
From the you-S-see, I shift ki's, a 120 plane rides
I transport drugs to the US from other countries
Multiplied by G's, 87.3 million in a matter o'months
With the help of my gang, we make over 87 million dollars in a few months
Big business and big dollars is all that I want
All I care about is making money and running a successful criminal enterprise
I blaze up to celebrate, new empire to make
I celebrate my success and plan on expanding my gang's influence
Toast till we all die, till we burst and break
Celebrate until we die or until our enterprise is destroyed
From knives to guns, from the rich to the slums
From petty crimes to violent shootings and from rich areas to impoverished neighborhoods
We ran outta dope, I don't think so son
We never run out of drugs to sell
While I be gunned by a mark from the enemy park
I may be shot by an enemy in a rival gang
From daylight to reach dark and all the clucks a'spark
From morning until night and all the drug users getting high
From when I pick em off like darts
When I kill people one after another like throwing darts
Stab em in they hearts
Killing people in a violent manner
Make an example, what I said, ya end up dead
I'll kill someone as an example if they cross me
Spray the wall with graffiti like hogs for all my lost Doggs
Tagging the walls with graffiti in honor of my deceased gang members
Never reach until I see the blue sky till I die
I'll never stop being a criminal until I die
All I ever want is to be left alone
All I want is to be left alone to continue my criminal enterprise
Me myself, me my dope, me and my chrome
The only things I care about are myself, my drugs, and my gun
Got paid by cops and judges, I budge when I buzz
I pay off law enforcement and judges, and I won't back down when threatened
I got the City of Long Beach going crazy for drugs
I have the entire city hooked on drugs and causing chaos
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Delmar Arnaud, Tracey Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DJ CLARKO
Snoop's verse
I come through blasting, me as a Downtown Assassin
Mashing, may they rest in peace in they caskets
Shoot em down in front of Hassans
Should've known from the gate, who's the baddest?
In my zone, Don Corleone wanted
For the murder of forty men
Ordered to hit and watch him kill again and again
From the you-S-see, I shift ki's, a 120 plane rides
Multiplied by G's, 87.3 million in a matter of months
Big business and big dollars is all that I want
I blaze up to celebrate, new empire to make
Toast till we all die, till we burst and break
From knives to guns, from the rich to the slums
We ran outta dope, I don't think so son
While I be gunned by a mark from the enemy park
From daylight to reach dark and all the clucks a'spark
From when I pick em off like darts
Stab em in they hearts
Make an example, what I said, ya end up dead
Spayed the wall with graffiti like hogs for all my lost Doggs
Never reach until I see the blue sky till I die
All I ever want is to be left alone
Me myself, me my dope, me and my chrome
Got paid by cops and judges, I budge when I buzz
I got the City of Long Beach going crazy for drugs
Down4 Whuteva
Daz is such an underrated emcee.. Flow is like water....
Neil Haltiwanger
Yes daz is better than all of them.hes humble and let his lyrics speak for him
S. Salazar
One of the biggest flows you'll hear. Maybe even top 10 in that department.
Oliver Hernandez
Man snoop went hard on his verse
Jordan
Trey deee wrote it
Mike Rix
Yeah he did 🔥🔥🔥🔥
True
Damn, havent been listening to this shit in years now!! This is such a classic, one of my favorites from the doggfather album. This album is so underated when I think of it, I will have to pick it up and listen to it again. What makes this album so special is that it wasnt supposed to be the original follow up to Snoops first album. Cant remember the whole story and what the real album was supposed to be called though, but for some reason Dre didnt produce any beats on this album either.
lefthookjake
Miss the music from the 90's. Real Rappers!
GaetanoCozza
We didn't realize how lucky we were in the Nineties... the very last period when music was real, even some of the mainstream. Feel sorry for the kids of today.
Jesse Vidaurri
I