Steve 'Flash' JuonCalvin Broadus is an icon. A legend. A GOAT if you will. “Last time I checked, I was the plug to yo’ plug, I’m the fucking connect” quips Snoop Dogg on “Gorgeous” from his latest album “Missionary.” Coming from your average rap artist this might seem conceited but for Snoop it’s just the truth. He was born in 1971, started rapping professional right after he was old enough to vote, and three decades later he’s still in the game. I’d call that impressive but it’s just the tip of his iceberg. He’s become an actor, a paid spokesperson, and an Olympic ambassador for the U.S. This trajectory was at best unlikely. He had to beat a first degree murder charge in the 1990’s just as his star was rising and he was signed to a record label whose CEO was a violent predicate felon. At any point his career could have gone up in smoke like his recreational drug of choice.
In all of the unlikely moments of Snoop’s career from then to now, buying Death Row Records ranks at or near the top, but it speaks volumes about Mr. Broadus and where he’s at now. It enables him to take the most infamous chapter of his career and not only own it but shape its legacy to future generations. It also enables him to add “mogul” to his list of titles and provides a pivot point to make major moves. He’s still the star of the story even when he’s sharing the spotlight with equally iconic artists like the late Tom Petty on “Last Dance with Mary Jane,” but going forward he can use his fame and status to put on the next generation. As long as he’s not as shady as Suge this can only be a boon to the game.
In many respects “Missionary” is a power flex. It’s well earned after multiple decades to get to this point, but he definitely pulls off the kind of samples and big name cameos someone with less money or fame could not. I haven’t even mentioned that Jhené Aiko is on “Gorgeous” or Jelly Roll is on “Last Dance” yet, but find one song here where you couldn’t talk about something that would cost a lesser rapper his entire budget. It was obvious that “Thank You” would sample Sly and the Family Stone but it can’t have come cheap. “Outta Da Blue” features Dr. Dre and interpolations of “Paper Planes” and “Been Around the World.” (Side note – Dre’s voice has aged far more than Snoop’s. It’s not a bad thing, but it’s noticeable.) “Skyscrapers” features two guests in Method Man and Smitty and had two different samples to clear. This shit adds up.
If you’re mad at Mr. Broadus for having this kind of wealth and clout that’s your right — you do you. I’m too busy enjoying the riddim of songs like “Fire” featuring Cocoa Sarai. “Shit is timeless, let me present what I’m designing.” I’ve argued since I first started writing (as long ago as Snoop first started rapping) that reggae and rap go hand in hand. In fact it’s not even an argument — if Clive Campbell hadn’t emigrated from Jamaica to New York City then we wouldn’t have hip-hop today. Some things just naturally belong together, which is exactly how I feel about hearing 50 Cent and Eminem on “Gunz N Smoke.” After all Aftermath still gets the last laugh and it’s one of three imprints on this album.
Is “Missionary” the greatest Snoop Dogg album of all time? No. Is it at least as good as “BODR” though, the album that announced his purchase of Death Row? Absolutely. The curse of being in the rap game for as long as Calvin Broadus is that you wind up competing with yourself. He’s got an enormous catalogue of music at this point — mostly good, a few duds, and some genuine classics. Even his lesser albums still managed to generate memorable singles that long-time listeners have percolating in their head and can quote at a moment’s notice. He’s not necessarily the lyrical GOAT, but his verses come with a flair for their delivery few can match. In fact from reading the credits of this album it’s obvious he doesn’t write all of his own bars any more; honestly, I didn’t expect him to. He’s acting, rapping, and running multiple businesses. He could use a little help to get it all done. What he needs no help with is being Snoop — the man, the myth, the legend.