Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre

Gin and juice out of a chalice, it's blue magic
Name on the Walk of Fame right by Lenny Kravitz
Just ghetto fabulous, checks and balances
I been the catalyst, the devil's advocate, pursuit of happiness
Dirty money under the mattress, survival tactics
I'm from the hood, never been good with the theatrics
Head to the sky, bullets flyin', the sounds of blackness
To make it out of the jungle, needed a full metal jacket

The golden duo of the West Coast, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, reunites for a self-celebration that pays homage to the classic “Doggystyle” right from its title. Surprisingly, though, this “Missionary” doesn’t attempt to replicate it.

After just a few tracks, it becomes clear that the two can still deliver effective party music, infused with colorful hedonism and capable of balancing g-funk roots with livelier, bass-driven beats, pop and rock influences, and Latin nods. Both in their fifties, they manage to hold their ground without ever coming across as ridiculous—more than could have been hoped for before listening, especially considering Snoop Dogg's recent albums. This is further demonstrated by the short film accompanying the release, 12 minutes of action infused with self-deprecating humor. Somehow reunited, the two have rekindled some of their old magic, though clearly without replicating the tidal wave effect that their masterpiece 31 years ago had on hip-hop as a whole, not just in the U.S. (see Italy’s Sottotono for reference).

The atmosphere heats up with “Fore Play” (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid), followed by “Shangri-La”, which is primarily a showcase for Snoop Dogg, as relaxed and smooth as ever. Meanwhile, the livelier beat of “Outta Da Blue” (featuring Dr. Dre and Alus), reminiscent of Timbaland's vibrant collages, features Dr. Dre back on the mic, though admittedly in less dazzling form. Street anthems like “Hard Knocks” and g-funk staples such as “Gorgeous” (featuring Jhené Aiko), “Sticcy Situation” (featuring K.A.A.N. and Cocoa Sarai), and “Thank You” follow. There’s nothing groundbreaking, but everything is delivered at a respectable level.

The unexpected intimate moment comes with the remake of Tom Petty's “Last Dance With Mary Jane” (featuring Jelly Roll), one of the few real surprises, alongside the “Message In A Bottle” nod in “Another Part Of Me”—more of a curiosity than anything else.

Just when the album seems to lose momentum and you begin to suspect there wasn’t enough fuel for 16 tracks, “Skyscrapers” (featuring Method Man and Smitty) arrives with an epic, Mexican-style fanfare and a standout contribution from the ex-Wu Tang member. But it’s “Gunz n Smoke” (featuring 50 Cent and Eminem) that truly steals the show, forming a dream quartet of American hip-hop.

While a few lesser moments in the tracklist are noticeable, “The Negotiator” closes with another powerful collaboration between Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, revitalizing that idea of hedonistic, catchy hip-hop with which they changed the genre's history.

If Dre and Snoop throw a party, it’s still a party worth attending. Though, if you have to pick a favorite position, the classic “Doggystyle” still takes the crown.

(This article’s English version was produced with AI-assisted translation)

04/01/2024