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.
The Way Life Used To Be
Snoop Dogg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's your dog, bitch Snoopy D-O, double G
Aka, I was thinking we need to take it back
To the way it used to be
You feel me, yeah
Come on, yeah, drift with me
Drift with me, come on
Drift with me y'all
Take it back to the afros and the naturals
Kate cut it pits we slips into the backbones
Oh G my nigga, for real don't straight up on the east side
Top of the hill yeah, I'm looking at the over view take it bow
86, damn I look overdue, walking in the hood, making mix tapes
Tryin' to walk about the hood while I'm chalking up the hood
Nigga talk about the hood, that I came from it braves me
That's real Crip crazy, what up oopsie, daisy
Demon or a heathen, speedin' while I'm dreamin'
Screamin' micky deedin', seein' is believin'
And don't you forget that, get it to you get back
Hit that, kick back, three flies one away
Reminiscin' 'bout the things that my grandmama used to say
Stay in your own lane, stay on your own and quick tryin' to be grown
Day turn to night and play turn the fight
(It's all right) gee, I guess my granny was right
(Reflections of the way life used to be,
It's all right)
I like the girls from the darin' heights or the girls on heels
I take a trip up to world on wheels and get in a fight
Make it back to my bride, pop shots
That's some fuckers disrespectin' the side
My big homie, my hustle, schoolyard bozo slid me the way
Just to get me the way
I'm a long beach nigga outside of my hood
I'm banging, right but doin' it good
And when I get locked down ain't no hidin' and wonderin'
As soon as I hit the county, I'm mockin' forty-eight hundred
Put the dillers, the killers, the rillas, the beasts,
The best from the west and the beast from the east
Yeah, I'm actin' a fool, I'm gettin' my degree from gladiator school
I chose this life 'cause I knows this life
Sell a little crack and my flows is tight
I'm playin' my choice and what's cold is
I can still here my grandma's voice
She say, "Day turn to night and play turn the fight"
(It's all right) shit, I guess my granny was right
(Reflections of the way life used to be,
It's all right)
If you get caught and you don't walk 'cause you don't talk
And these was the rules, squeeze on as fools
I came up in a different era homie
Where the Gs hit the Gs and the little wannabes, really homie
Wanna be like 'cause they see like, make you wanna G like
Now who you wanna be like (Snoop)
That fool on the TV screen or the homie on the
Corner getting major cream
In a Cadillac beatin' like battle cat
A nigga with money who don't know how to act
Smoke to your eyes get cataracts
All money not six yeah none of that hold a sec, run it back
Hold it back, rock him up, bag him up, fight him back
If the trick ruckers rat, do you want your money back?
Know this was a money rat, watch for the funny act
'Cause this don't come
And my granny said, "It's no fun"
She say, "Day turn to night and play turn the fight"
(It's all right) gee, I guess my granny was right
(Reflections of the way life used to be,
It's all right)
The lyrics to Snoop Dogg's "The Way Life Used to Be" are reflective of the rapper's nostalgia for a time when he was younger and the world seemed simpler. The song opens with a conversation between Snoop and his producer, Battle Cat, about taking things back to the way they used to be. The lyrics focus on Snoop's memories of growing up in Long Beach, California, and the people and places that were important to him.
Snoop reminisces about the fashions of his youth, including afros and natural hairstyles, and the activities that he and his friends would engage in, such as making mixtapes and cruising in cars. He also touches on the dangers of his neighborhood, referencing getting into fights at the roller skating rink and the need to protect his side of town from rival gangs.
Throughout the song, Snoop revisits the lessons that he learned from his grandmother and the importance of staying true to oneself. He acknowledges that life is not always easy, but ultimately celebrates the memories and experiences that have helped shape him into the person he is today.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey battle cat
Snoop Dogg talks to his friend Battle Cat
It's your dog, bitch Snoopy D-O, double G
Snoop Dogg introduces himself as Snoopy D-O-double G to Battle Cat
Aka, I was thinking we need to take it back
Snoop Dogg suggests that they should turn back the clock
To the way it used to be
Going back to the past's good times
You feel me, yeah
Asking Battle Cat if he understands
Take it back to the afros and the naturals
Snoop Dogg talks about going back to the fashion of the past
Kate cut it pits we slips into the backbones
Snoop Dogg describes some of the old fashion trends
Oh G my nigga, for real don't straight up on the east side
Snoop Dogg speaks with passion while mentioning his background and growing up on the East side
Top of the hill yeah, I'm looking at the over view take it bow
Snoop Dogg expresses his sense of accomplishment
86, damn I look overdue, walking in the hood, making mix tapes
Snoop Dogg reminisces, mentioning the year 1986, creating mix tapes and walking around the neighborhood.
Tryin' to walk about the hood while I'm chalking up the hood
Snoop Dogg describes his street activities.
Nigga talk about the hood, that I came from it braves me
Snoop Dogg got the courage to speak about his upbringing in the hood.
That's real Crip crazy, what up oopsie, daisy
Snoop Dogg mentions his involvement with the Crips and says hello to his friend Oopsie Daisy.
Demon or a heathen, speedin' while I'm dreamin'
Snoop Dogg describes some of his experience while travelling fast in his car.
Screamin' micky deedin', seein' is believin'
Snoop Dogg describes a time when he sees Micky Deed in the neighborhood.
And don't you forget that, get it to you get back
Snoop Dogg warns listeners to be careful because everything they do comes back to them.
Hit that, kick back, three flies one away
Snoop Dogg explains something celebratory.
Reminiscin' 'bout the things that my grandmama used to say
Snoop Dogg thinks about his grandmother and what she used to tell him.
Stay in your own lane, stay on your own and quick tryin' to be grown
Snoop Dogg remembers his grandma's teaching to stay out of trouble and be patient.
Day turn to night and play turn the fight
Snoop Dogg uses a phrase that his grandma used to say.
(It's all right) gee, I guess my granny was right
Snoop Dogg agrees with what his grandma used to say.
(Reflections of the way life used to be,
Reflecting on the good memories of the past
It's all right)
Feeling confident about it
I like the girls from the darin' heights or the girls on heels
Snoop Dogg tells what he likes about girls
I take a trip up to world on wheels and get in a fight
Snoop Dogg talks about hanging out with friends and fighting.
Make it back to my bride, pop shots
Snoop Dogg tells about his escapade.
That's some fuckers disrespectin' the side
Snoop Dogg talks about being disrespected.
My big homie, my hustle, schoolyard bozo slid me the way
Snoop Dogg acknowledges his helpers.
Just to get me the way
Alluding to someone's arrangements made to get him out of trouble
I'm a long beach nigga outside of my hood
Snoop Dogg explains where he comes from
I'm banging, right but doin' it good
Snoop Dogg is proud of how he's living it up.
And when I get locked down ain't no hidin' and wonderin'
Snoop Dogg asserts that he doesn't want to be hiding.
As soon as I hit the county, I'm mockin' forty-eight hundred
Snoop Dogg declares that he's tough
Put the dillers, the killers, the rillas, the beasts,
Snoop Dogg mentions different people he comes across.
The best from the west and the beast from the east
Snoop Dogg enumerates differences between people.
Yeah, I'm actin' a fool, I'm gettin' my degree from gladiator school
Snoop Dogg is describing his way of life as a madhouse.
I chose this life 'cause I knows this life
Snoop Dogg stands firm in his choices.
Sell a little crack and my flows is tight
Snoop Dogg talks about his two main talents.
I'm playin' my choice and what's cold is
Snoop Dogg enjoys himself.
I can still here my grandma's voice
Snoop Dogg assures listeners that he's still close to his grandma.
She say, "Day turn to night and play turn the fight"
Snoop Dogg quotes his grandmother.
(It's all right) shit, I guess my granny was right
Snoop Dogg continues the quote from his grandmother.
(Reflections of the way life used to be,
Snoop Dogg repeats what he said in the previous verse about reflecting on the past.
It's all right)
Feeling confident.
If you get caught and you don't walk 'cause you don't talk
Snoop Dogg provides advice on avoiding trouble.
And these was the rules, squeeze on as fools
Snoop Dogg warns listeners that bad things would happen if they became snitches.
I came up in a different era homie
Snoop Dogg acknowledges that he grew up in a different time period.
Where the Gs hit the Gs and the little wannabes, really homie
Snoop Dogg talks about the gangs and the people who wanted to join.
Wanna be like 'cause they see like, make you wanna G like
Snoop Dogg talks about how some people wanted to emulate what they saw in the movies.
Now who you wanna be like (Snoop)
Snoop Dogg mentions an example of someone who was emulated - himself.
That fool on the TV screen or the homie on the
Snoop Dogg makes a comparison.
Corner getting major cream
Snoop Dogg talks about his real-life example.
In a Cadillac beatin' like battle cat
Snoop Dogg mentions a type of car that he likes.
A nigga with money who don't know how to act
Snoop Dogg is critical of people who don't know how to spend their money correctly.
Smoke to your eyes get cataracts
Snoop Dogg mentions health issues from smoking marijuana.
All money not six yeah none of that hold a sec, run it back
Snoop Dogg talks about his rejection of fake money.
Hold it back, rock him up, bag him up, fight him back
Snoop Dogg describes how he deals with fake bills.
If the trick ruckers rat, do you want your money back?
Snoop Dogg warns listeners about the risks of trusting greedy people.
Know this was a money rat, watch for the funny act
Snoop Dogg advises people to be aware of those who act suspiciously.
'Cause this don't come
Snoop Dogg reminds listeners not to expect shortcuts.
And my granny said, "It's no fun"
Snoop Dogg concludes the song by quoting his granny that life should not be all work and no play.
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Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRIAN HOLLAND, CALVIN BROADUS, DENZIL FOSTER, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, JAY A KING, LAMONT DOZIER, LUTHER VANDROSS, MARCUS MILLER, SAM COOKE, THOMAS MCELROY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony Garcia
2020 and i’m still bumpin’ this. this jam was so underrated
Rodrigo Ortega
think the same brooo
Matias Araujo
And the intro too hahahah
@Sv_bleu
Definitely
OC2LV
Los cranales
From the bay to sd
🍻
Dawg Pound 187
This was his best track since he left deathrow
Joe R
Can't ever get tired of this. Putting it down hard.
WLMPRO
this track is pure westcoast thanks for being alive battlecat
GOSCLOVE
When this came out it was on repeat. Foundational!
Student CA
Absolute Anthem