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.
LAX )
Snoop Dogg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"No doubt"
"LAX"
"Oh, Cali?"
"No doubt baby" [Repeat: x4]
[Snoop Dogg]
A little somethin' somethin' from the Golden State
Nah, we ain't like Kobe and Shaq
It's Magic and Kareem nigga, Showtime is back
True legends, two steppin' on you peasants
What y'all thought, y'all gon' need bout two vests'
Cause we he plug, I plug
Mixed shot with the slug, listen here cuh
When I dig dug, play slick and get stuck
But don't play tough boy, go and get it up
Hey yo Cube, tell me this
Why half of the homies gettin' worked by a bitch?
Then they fall in love and get hurt by a bitch
Nine months later cause got mirked by a bitch
See I'm just a nigga that ya don't wanna
Reverse the game on her, put the bitch on a corner
Welcome to California
[Chorus]
"LAX"
"Oh, Cali?"
"No doubt baby"
"LAX"
"Oh, Cali?"
"No doubt baby"
(Welcome to Cali)
"LAX"
"Oh, Cali?"
"No doubt baby"
(Welcome to Cali)
"LAX"
"Oh, Cali?"
"No doubt baby"
(Welcome to Cali)
[Ice Cube]
Come hit the town, drop down nigga
L-A-X, top down nigga
I'm scoopin' you up, ya rollin' or what?
I know what ya came for, I'm rollin' it up
Snoop Dogg nigga, y'all hold up
Never thought Ice Cube would show up
But I'm in the studio gettin' fucked up
With a beat from Battlecat, a nigga lucked up
I got my hustle down, look and learn
See how a hot nigga, cook and burn
A nigga earn like David Stern
Mixed with Big Worm when he off that sherm
Now - bust a u-turn, come by your hood
For motherfuckers that think I went Hollywood
Pick a Coast, it got to be the West
I live out there, from the W.S. nigga
[Chorus]
[Ice Cube]
Fell asleep on the plane, and so did he
Woke up chillin' in the LBC
I grew up in the HNC
But that ain't what I turned out to be
Understand me that I'm still a G
Who ain't never spent a day in the penitentiary
Now I'm rappin' with Snoop D-O double-G
And got the whole fuckin' world nigga lovin' me
[Snoop Dogg]
Yep yep, they love him to death
Cause he walk under water, without gettin' wet
Roll through the neighborhood without gettin' checked
So gone and so blown, are we there yet?
You wonder why I got the S on my chest
Cause I'm a motherfuckin' vet from the Wild Wild West
I used to sing "Bennie and the Jets"
Nigga so boss now I sip Henny on my jets
From the East back to the West
[Chorus]
The song "LAX" by Snoop Dogg featuring Ice Cube is an ode to California, commonly referred to as "Cali," their home state. The lyrics are a celebration of life in California, from the sunshine to the legends of basketball court, Magic and Kareem. The artists also address the struggles and heartbreaks of love, and life in the streets.
Snoop Dogg opens the song, boasting about California's fame and the accomplished basketball players from the state past and present. The chorus is a repeated affirmations of their love for the state where they were born and raised. Ice Cube's verse speaks to his personal connection and nostalgia for Los Angeles, and how he never forgot his roots despite his success.
The song's theme of allegiance to California is emphasized in the chorus repeating the phrase "Welcome to Cali." The song celebrates the culture of California and the good and the bad that comes with it. From Hollywood to the streets, Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg glorify their home state while acknowledging the challenges in the quest for success.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Cali?
Is this California?
No doubt baby
Absolutely
West West y'all, pile it on your plate
Welcome to the West Coast, we've got plenty to offer
A little somethin' somethin' from the Golden State
You'll find a bit of everything in California
Nah, we ain't like Kobe and Shaq
We don't need two big stars to shine
It's Magic and Kareem nigga, Showtime is back
Our true legends are here to show you how it's done
True legends, two steppin' on you peasants
Our icons are gracefully showing off their skills while overshadowing your status
What y'all thought, y'all gon' need bout two vests'
If you thought you could mess with us, you'll need more protection than you imagined
Cause we he plug, I plug
We're well-connected and not afraid to let you know
Mixed shot with the slug, listen here cuh
We can bring both the good and bad to the table. Listen closely
When I dig dug, play slick and get stuck
If you try to mess with me, you might regret it
But don't play tough boy, go and get it up
If you're going to talk a big game, back it up
Hey yo Cube, tell me this
Hey Ice Cube, listen to what I have to say
Why half of the homies gettin' worked by a bitch?
Why are so many of our friends getting manipulated by a woman?
Then they fall in love and get hurt by a bitch
Then they fall in love and get their heart broken by a woman
Nine months later cause got mirked by a bitch
Nine months later, because of a woman, they are dead
See I'm just a nigga that ya don't wanna
I'm not someone you want to mess with
Reverse the game on her, put the bitch on a corner
I'll turn the tables on her and put her in her place
Welcome to California
Welcome to the Golden State
'LAX'
Los Angeles International Airport
Come hit the town, drop down nigga
Come visit the city and make yourself at home
L-A-X, top down nigga
Riding with the top down in L.A.
I'm scoopin' you up, ya rollin' or what?
I'm picking you up, are you ready or what?
I know what ya came for, I'm rollin' it up
I know what you want, I'm rolling it for you
Snoop Dogg nigga, y'all hold up
Snoop Dogg is here, everyone stop what you're doing
Never thought Ice Cube would show up
You never expected me to be here
But I'm in the studio gettin' fucked up
But here I am, enjoying the moment
With a beat from Battlecat, a nigga lucked up
I got a great beat from Battlecat, I'm lucky
I got my hustle down, look and learn
I know how to hustle, watch and learn
See how a hot nigga, cook and burn
Watch how a successful man does his thing
A nigga earn like David Stern
I earn a lot of money, like David Stern of the NBA
Mixed with Big Worm when he off that sherm
Mixing business and drugs, like Big Worm from the movie Friday
Now - bust a u-turn, come by your hood
Turn around and come to your neighborhood
For motherfuckers that think I went Hollywood
For people who think I've forgotten my roots and gone soft
Pick a Coast, it got to be the West
Choose a coast, and it has to be the West Coast
I live out there, from the W.S. nigga
I live there, on the West Side
Fell asleep on the plane, and so did he
We both fell asleep on the plane
Woke up chillin' in the LBC
We woke up relaxing in Long Beach, California
I grew up in the HNC
I grew up in the Harbor City neighborhood
But that ain't what I turned out to be
But that's not all I am now
Understand me that I'm still a G
Don't forget that I'm still a gangster
Who ain't never spent a day in the penitentiary
Despite that, I've never been to jail
Now I'm rappin' with Snoop D-O double-G
Now I'm collaborating with Snoop Dogg
And got the whole fuckin' world nigga lovin' me
And now the whole world loves me
Yep yep, they love him to death
Yes, absolutely, they love him
Cause he walk under water, without gettin' wet
He can handle any situation with ease
Roll through the neighborhood without gettin' checked
He can move through any area without being questioned
So gone and so blown, are we there yet?
He's so high and out of it, he's not sure if they've arrived yet
You wonder why I got the S on my chest
You may wonder why I wear an S on my chest
Cause I'm a motherfuckin' vet from the Wild Wild West
Because I'm a veteran from the dangerous West Coast
I used to sing Bennie and the Jets
I used to listen to and enjoy Elton John's Bennie and the Jets
Nigga so boss now I sip Henny on my jets
Now I'm so successful that I drink Hennessy on my private jets
From the East back to the West
Traveling back-and-forth from the East Coast to the West Coast
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: CALVIN BROADUS, KEVIN GILLIAM, OSTEN HARVEY, OSTEN S HARVEY, O'SHEA JACKSON, ROGER TROUTMAN, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lindodladla40
That rumbling beat by the master Dj Battlecat 👌Too funky I don't think any producer can compare to Dj Battlecat..fell in love with beat then I had to listen to it and I still love it..superb verses also but those scratches
@MichaelBrown-ti1un
Great description. I wish this was a single. Battlecat is an unheralded legend not just for the westcoast, but hip hop overall.
@ignoranceisnotatrend4669
Baseline and the effects SLAP HARD AS HELL
@Zan_zelee
Cat’ all day…
@I4NI_
Ice Cube & Snoop Dogg are too good when collabing. They should have made more music together what a mad song classik
@justicejakober5506
I def agree
@abe1sapien
Wish Cube and Snoop would put out an EP together!
@tedharrell
Very underrated duo
@Bassotronics
I fuckin love this track.
@mistfawkes
+Bassotronics i do too. just bought the cd. had no clue how good it was going to be.