He may have recently undergone an artistic, spiritual reincarnation as Snoop Lion, and even reinvented himself under his third alter-ego, Snoopzilla, this past year, but favorite Los Angeles rapper Snoop Dogg just can’t escape the demands for his classics. The west coast G-Funk original is scheduled to headline Sunday’s official NBA All-Star post-game concert at the Joy Theater with a promised set of all his seminal anthems from The Chronic and Doggystyle to The Doggfather and “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”
Snoop Dogg set to perform all-classics concert at The Joy on Sunday, February 16.
Snoop has an intimate connection with New Orleans though, having been signed to native rap don Master P’s No Limit Records from 1998 to 2002 (the Cali connection in place with Master P operating his label and residing in Oakland, CA from 1988 – 1995, then again later) and releasing three of his albums through No Limit after leaving Death Row Records and before signing to Capitol/EMI. Snoop’s first release on No Limit, Da Game It To be Sold, Not To Be Told (1998), featured production from famed New Orleans hip-hop producer KLC, in addition to Master P himself. His second release on No Limit, No Limit Top Dogg (1999), featured southern rapper C-Murder on a few cuts, and a whole New Orleans rap family appearance on “Ghetto Symphony” including Mia X, Mystikal and more.
Although it has been 10 years since the Top Dogg recorded under the No Limit empire, his relationship with the New Orleans rap family remains a friendly one. He often makes surprise guest appearances at Mannie Fresh‘s annual bashes at Maison on Frenchmen, as well as other sets in town with No Limit and Cash Money crews. His concerts at House of Blues are always packed and he rarely fails to deliver to dedicated fans.
Snoop is reportedly working on his last studio album under the Snoop Dogg moniker, having taken up Snoop Lion as his new artistic pseudonym last year. However, his roots in the influential G-Funk sound he and his 1990s partners are know for seems to be a relentless force, if his most recent release with fellow Los Angeles producer Dam-Funk is any indication. Currently making waves in the tastemaker music scene, Snoop’s December 2013 release with Dam-Funk, 7 Days of Funk, finds him creating under yet another new alias — Snoopzilla. An appropriate nod to one of the funk pioneers that heavily influenced the G-Funk sound, Snoopzilla is an ode to the Bootzilla of Funkin’ Bass, Bootsy Collins (performing in New Orleans during Jazz Fest on April 25), who also makes a cameo on 7 Days. So even if the Dogg is leaving the gangsta image behind, the G-Funk roots are apparently here to stay. Scads of fans at this Sunday’s NBA All-Star post-game concert should be pleased to know that much.
Though no special guests at Sunday night’s concert have been officially announced as of yet, if we can guess based on past shows in New Orleans, a few surprise appearances from some local hip-hop legends are highly likely. Regardless, if you’re a Snoop Dogg classics fan, this Sunday’s concert might be one of the last chances to hear a whole set of his chart toppers live, with the Lion and the Zilla in effect and the Dogg in the pound.
Snoop Dogg performs live at the official NBA All-Star post-game concert on Sunday, February 16 at the Joy Theater (1200 Canal Street). Doors are at 11 p.m. with showtime at Midnight. Tickets are $40 general admission or $75 VIP. More Info: www.thejoytheater.com
