Snoop Dogg’s 25 most essential tracks, ranked
On the 30th anniversary of Snoop's first album, we're counting down the best songs from the legendary rapper/product spokesman/weed ambassador
Music Lists Snoop Dogg
It’s been quite a journey for Snoop Dogg, one that began 30 years ago with the November 23, 1993 release of his debut album Doggystyle. No longer public enemy number one, as he was for a period of time in the 1990s, Snoop is now a beloved part of American life, one of a handful of stars whose face and name is instantly recognizable to people of all ages.
Indeed, Snoop recently put his Teflon status to the test by sparking headlines with a social media post where he claimed he was “giving up smoke,” then revealing a week later that he wasn’t actually giving up weed, he’d just been hired as a spokesman for a line of “smokeless stoves.” Only a celeb with Snoop’s versatile, likable vibe—he’s equally comfortable alongside Dr. Dre, Martha Stewart, or Willie Nelson—could pull off a stunt like that and suffer minimal blowback. But enough of the side hustle stuff. Let’s bring this back to where it all started for Snoop: the music. What follows are the 25 essential songs that explain Snoop’s journey from gangsta rap outsider to a family-friendly legend.
11 Comments
This one:
What a TERRIBLE list. The fact that you rated all those songs from Doggystyle out of the top 10, let alone 15 is stupid. And as Drop it maybe in his top 10, but no 1? TERRIBLE
I had totally forgotten about the Deep Cover soundtrack. What an intro to that world.
It dropped my sophomore year of college and totally changed our music tastes. I remember being absolutely fascinated by Snoop in the “One Eight Seven” video – his leanness, his height, his movements, his silky voice – one of those moments where you know you are witnessing the birth of a star.
Absolutely. Over thirty years later, it still remains one of my favorite songs of his and Dre’s. The beat alone is brilliant and undeniably menacing.
Just here to pint out that Dre was heavily influenced by/copied the fundamentals of G-Funk from erstwhile Ruthless label-mate Cold 187um from Above the Law. ATL’s sophomore album Black Mafia Life was recorded prior to The Chronic while Dre was in the studio and contained several songs with very suspicious similarities to the latter’s solo debut, including “Never Missin’ a Beat” which directly prefigures “Fuck with Dre Day” among others.
Sure, Cold 187um invented it, but Dre innovated it. I’d take The Chronic over BML any day. I’d even take Doggystyle, Regulate, Twinz’ Conversation over BML
Personal preference… Dre’s sound is too pop for me, I’ll take 187’s discography over Dre’s any day (I like them both)
Gin and Juice, Nothing but A G Thang, and Deep Cover are my top 3, hands down.
I’d include ‘Vato’ with B-Real
This list should only consist of tracks from Chronic, Doggystyle, & Deep Cover. Maybe a couple off Doggystyle. A Katy Perry track ahead of Doggy Dogg World? Turn in your zig zags.