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.
Outro
Snoop Dogg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothin' but a gangsta, no (say what? Say what?)
Nothin' but a gangsta, no, no (where my nigga 2Pac at?)
Nothin' but a gangsta, no (what's up nigga?) (Say what? Say what?)
Nothin' but a gangsta, no, no (say what? Say what?)
Nothin' but a gangsta, no (say what? Say what?) (Yeah)
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, no (throw it up, throw it up)
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, no (come on, come on) (throw it up)
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, yeah (say that shit)
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, yeah (say that shit)
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, come on (say that shit)
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, uh (party)
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, party
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, party
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, party
The lyrics of Snoop Dogg's song Outro are a declaration of his gangsta identity. The repetition of the phrase "Nothin' but a gangsta" and variations of it throughout the song emphasize the pride and confidence he has in his gangster lifestyle. The inclusion of Tupac's name in the lyrics pays homage to the late rapper and suggests that Snoop and Tupac share a common bond in their gangsta personas.
Throughout the song, Snoop uses call and response techniques to engage with his audience, encouraging them to join in on the celebration of gangsta culture. The chorus "It ain't nothin' but a gangsta party" invites listeners to embrace their inner gangsta and let loose.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothin' but a gangsta, nothin'
I am nothing but a gangster.
Nothin' but a gangsta, no (say what? Say what?)
I am just a gangster, do you hear what I'm saying?
Nothin' but a gangsta, no, no (where my nigga 2Pac at?)
I am only a gangster and I'm wondering where my friend 2Pac is.
Nothin' but a gangsta, no (what's up nigga?) (Say what? Say what?)
I am completely a gangster and I'm asking my friend what's going on while still emphasizing that I am a gangster.
Nothin' but a gangsta, no, no (say what? Say what?)
Again, I am nothing but a gangster and I'm emphasizing that fact by asking if you understand what I'm saying.
Nothin' but a gangsta, no (say what? Say what?) (Yeah)
Yet again, I am only a gangster and I'm adding an agreement to my own statement by saying 'yeah.'
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, no (throw it up, throw it up)
Being a gangster is all that matters, throw up your gang signs.
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, no (come on, come on) (throw it up)
Being a gangster is the only thing that matters, so come on and throw up your gang signs.
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, no (throw it up) (say that shit)
I'm reinforcing the idea that being a gangster is everything while also telling people to throw up their gang signs and say it loud and proud.
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, yeah (say that shit)
Being a gangster is everything, so say it loud and proud.
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, yeah (say that shit)
Again, the whole point is being a gangster, so say it loud and proud.
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, come on (say that shit)
Once again, all that matters is being a gangster, so come on and say it loud and proud.
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, uh (party)
The only thing that matters is being a gangster and partying.
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, party
Being a gangster and partying is what it's all about.
It ain't nothin' but a gangsta, party
This song is all about being a gangster and partying, nothing more.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Calvin Cordozar Broadus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shady Manson
Thanks to Snoop for bringing back the real Hip-Hop💯🔥
Thomas Bridgeman
This is surprisingly a solid album laced with R&B Neo Soul n a hint of Hip Hop..Snoop u stepped up without having to take the mic much....Respect for this one
John Golden
One of my favorite albums of all time. New classic! Thanks Snoop
Säl Knight
it’s time for a full dr. dre production snoop dogg album now
M PUNKT
It's Time for a Dr.Dre Album
DatDudeScrooge
@M PUNKT January☝🏾
Brandon F
Agreed 💯
Säl Knight
oh, snoop just dropped his new Death Row CLASSIC B.O.D.R. i think it’s his best album since Doggystyle, thank you Dogg 🙏
Brandon F
@Säl Knight Thanks4da HEADS UP ‼I didn't expect it 2drop til Dis SUPER BOWL SUNDAY 🏈🏈
Tom Ford
great job snoop way to provide us with a ton of content my guy. Crazy how many fire tracks on this one album, now that's kicking it ol skool