Snoop Dogg is gearing up for his mega Super Bowl Halftime show with Dr Dre, Eminem, Mary J Blige and Kendrick Lamar but it is always worth looking back at some of his best songs. And who better to take us through five of the artist’s most triumphant tunes than Dam-Funk, the originator of the G-Funk movement. He’s not only well-versed in Snoop’s greatness but even collaborated with the ‘Gin & Juice’ rapper for a special project.
During the promotion of Dam-Funk and Snoop Dogg’s 7 Days of Funk project, the duo sat down with Xlr8r to talk about the new music. During that conversation, the pair also shared their knowledge of one another. Dam-Funk, it would seem, was quite the Snoop fan and picked five stellar Snoop joints.
Alongside Dam-Funk, the rapper is an originator of the G-Funk sound that dominated airwaves throughout the 1990s and beyond, and his place in the development of hip-hop can’t be underplayed. Snoop Dogg is about the only man able to make a jingle for fast food delivery service JustEat a bonafide anthem that plays up to his character’s playful side and, somehow, still maintain his credibility.
Of course, you won’t expect to see any of that in Dam-Funk’s five favourite Snoop songs, he, instead, aims for the artist’s creative heart. first up on Funk’s list is Snoop’s song ‘Stacey Adams’ featuring Kokane, about which Funk said: “This is a great production by DJ Battlecat with laid-back, on-point lyrics and flow by Snoop. Additional funk-flow vocals by Kokane laced it all up real nice. This is one of my favourites. I rode to this joint continuously upon release of The Last Meal.”
Another of Funk’s favourites is another straight banger, picking ‘G’d Up’, Funk said: “Dope collaborative joint by Snoop Dogg with Tha Eastsidaz (Goldie Loc and Big Tray Deee), again with production by DJ Battlecat. G-Funk was progressing and at the same time becoming more “refined” when this dropped. Snoop was on-point as usual with his delivery and style, and Goldie Loc and Tray Deee held it all down in top form too. This was a dope party and ridin’ joint upon its release, and was considered totally fresh when it dropped here in LA.”
Funk also notes pharrell’s contribution to Snoop’s 21st Century longevity, but naturally declines to pick the huge single. Instead, Funk picks out ‘Let’s Get Blown’, which he says is “Just a great song that the ladies loved, as well as the fellas. It worked well in the clubs where folk actually danced or at the very least, caught a two-step at a party. Another solid Snoop joint, for me.”
Of course, it’s not all rarities and b-sides as Funk selects Snoop’s defining anthem ‘Who Am I? (What’s My Name)’. “The beat is hittin’ and G-funked up,” says Funk. “The sound is great and Snoop goes! Everything about it was and still is “A+.” Instant classic production and song. Dr. Dre killed it on the production. Perfect.
The final song is a masterpiece featuring Snoop, Nate Dogg, Kurupt and Warren G, of course, we mean ‘It Ain’t No Fun (Demo Version)’. “Snoop’s debut album was yet to be released, but it was buzzin’ big time,” Funk remembers. “Somehow, this demo version of ‘Ain’t No Fun’ hit the streets (with a different verse by Warren G) prior to its official release on Doggystyle. This was super G-funk, and is still my number-one pick today.
Dam-Funk’s 5 favourite Snoop Dogg songs:
- ‘Stacey Adams’
- ‘G’d Up’
- ‘Let’s Get Blown’
- ‘Who Am I? (What’s My Name)’
- ‘Ain’t No Fun’
