Backspin: Snoop Doggy Dogg — Doggystyle (1993)
Hip-Hop’s first “event album” exceeded expectations and became the template for ’90s G-Funk. (94.5/100)
Like in sports, the greats in music (particularly the Darwinian pugilism of hip-hop) are separated from the mere skilled technicians by their ability to deliver when the stakes are highest. In 1993, Snoop Doggy Dogg was hip-hop’s most heralded rookie and Doggystyle, his instant classic debut, delivered like a collegiate Michael Jordan swishing the game winning shot for the National Championship against Georgetown.
In hindsight, Dr. Dre deployed every bit of the meticulousness personified in his production in the unveiling of his prized protégé. Despite Snoop’s uncanny ability to glide his nasal drawl in and out of the pockets of a Dre track with effortless finesse, Dre resisted the temptation to saturate his 1992 magnum opus, The Chronic, with Snoop. Instead, the good doctor sprinkled him in like a fine seasoning; just enough to spice up the flavor, while still leaving listeners hungry for more. Featured in all three of Dre’s singles and videos, Snoop’s easy charisma and distinctive style also made him a staple on MTV for most of the year.
Adding fuel to the fire, Snoop was also the defendant in a high profile homicide case set to go to trial…
