Snoop Dogg’s 25 most essential tracks, ranked

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.

23. “Roll Me Up (And Smoke Me When I Die)” (2012)

There is only one person who could rival Snoop Dogg’s role as Ambassador of Weed: that would be Willie Nelson, the longhaired outlaw from Texas. When Snoop debuted in the early 1990s, their two worlds seemed bound to never intersect, but by 2012, the rapper was an icon in his own right, making him an ideal guest for “Roll Me Up (and Smoke Me When I Die),” a salute to the pleasures of smoke. Snoop sings here instead of rapping, getting by on his amiable charm and crooked smile.