The song Snoop Dogg made to prove himself as an authentic rapper
Snoop Dogg is a one-off and undoubtedly also one of hip-hop’s most beloved characters. Rising to prominence by the side of Tupac Shakur and Dr Dre on Death Row Records, the rapper (real name Calvin Broadus) is loved for his unique tone, funky West Coast style and laidback delivery that leaves his listeners feeling relaxed. Known as music’s marijuana maestro, Snoop is definitely one of the greats.
Broadus made his first musical impact in 1993 when he released his debut album Doggystyle. Produced executively by Dr Dre, Doggystyle was met with critical acclaim upon its release and, with The Chronic, is still considered one of the integral albums of G-funk.
Doggystyle birthed many classic hip-hop tracks, including the iconic ‘Gin and Juice’. However, one of the most renowned cuts from the album is ‘Who Am I (What’s My Name?)’. This number was the world’s formal introduction to Snoop Dogg as a career artist, and after the single’s release, everybody became familiar with Snoop Doggy Dogg.
Produced by Dr. Dre as a G-funk record, ‘Who Am I (What’s My Name?)’ sampled the iconic ‘Atomic Dog’ by P-funk master Geroge Clinton. Upon its release in 1993, the West Coast had already approved of Broadus and certified him as a legend. In an interview for Pandora, Snoop revealed that this was the song where he chose to transition from being the average gangsta rapper to a real rapper and credible artist.
Speaking to Questlove of Philadelphia collective The Roots, Snoop explained the predicament that caused him to shift his mindset while recording the lead single of his debut project.
Recalling that period, Broadus detailed, “Me and Dr Dre used to hang out together every day. I would ride with him every day in his Benz. Wherever I was staying, he would pick me up, and we would go on a rendezvous, and then from the rendezvous, we would end up in the studio.”
He continued, “That ride from the rendezvous to the studio was usually me in the passenger’s seat with a cassette tape controlling the music. One day George Clinton is on, ‘Atomic Dog,’ and when they get to the ‘A-tomic Dawwwwg,’ I started singing, ‘Snoop Doggy Dogg.’ I said, ‘We’re recording that as soon as we get to the studio.'”
Recounting his intentions when he entered the booth that 1993 day, Broadus told Questlove, “My lyrics were like an MC. I was trying to be a rapper on that song, not a gangsta, because I was trying to show style and cadence.”
You can listen to ‘Who Am I (What’s My Name?)’ below.