Last year saw the long-awaited release of Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy, an album that was first discussed in earnest some time around 1994 and finally hit store shelves 14 years later. It provided an easy metaphor for work that seemed to be forever delayed (one of the many reasons it was ultimately disappointing). With Axl's opus finally out in the open, the anticipation turned to Dr. Dre, whose Detox has been talked about for just as long. Dre revolutionized the way the public thinks about commercial rap with 1992's The Chronic, and since that record was released he has been teasing out a project called Detox. All the while, Dre has continued to produce for other MCs and oversee his label Aftermath Entertainment, but Detox remains incomplete (so much so that there are next to no inklings about what it could possibly sound like).
But 10 years ago, Dre provided a brief peek into what Detox might ultimately become. On this day in 1999, Dre released 2001, a confusingly-named collection of street anthems that not only resurrected G-funk but also helped to elevate Eminem (who had a star turn on "Forgot About Dre") and re-establish Snoop Dogg as a major player on the mainstream hip-hop scene. It's strange to consider now, but the middle years of the '90s were not particularly kind to Snoop, who had broken out huge with Doggystyle but floundered a bit when his follow-up Tha Doggfather failed to meet expectations. Master P ended up drawing him to the No Limit roster, and after the tired Da Game is to be Sold, Not to be Told, the one-two punch of 2001 and Snoop's own No Limit Top Dogg brought him back into the spotlight. He has Dre — and the killer cut "The Next Episode" — to thank.
On tonight's episode of "Raw," World Wrestling Entertainment's flagship television program, they will welcome a very special guest host: Rapper/actor/entrepreneur/wrasslin' enthusiast Snoop Dogg. It's hardly Snoop's first foray into a WWE ring, as he was the "Master of Ceremonies" for a match at Wrestlemania 24 in 2008. (He also appeared on a few episodes of "Raw" leading up to that event.) In the past few months, the "Raw" show has welcomed various celebrity hosts, from Bob Barker to Seth Green to Shaquille O'Neal. Each one has played a different role, with some even getting involved in the in-ring action. While not a trained wrestler, Snoop is no stranger to violence in the squared circle: He delivered a segment-ending lariat to heel wrestler Santino Marella at Wrestlemania 24. Though Snoop's plans have been kept under wraps, it's certain that his nose for television and his ability to cut sharp, hilarious promos should make for great wrestling television as "Raw" builds to the "Bragging Rights" pay-per-view event.
Snoop is hardly the first musician to step onto WWE programming. The company got huge in the early 1908s thanks to a lot of musical crossover (most notably with Cyndi Lauper). In more recent years, Kevin Federline helped promote his hip-hop album by getting involved in a feud with wrestler/MC John Cena (the two wrestled on "Raw" on New Year's Day in 2007, leading to a Federline victory). Kid Rock was a special musical guest on this year's Wrestlemania, making him the latest in a long line of guests for that big event, including Aretha Franklin, Boyz II Men, Limp Bizkit, John Legend, Ice-T, Mötorhead, Alice Cooper and Nicole Scherzinger.
Who would you like to see step into the WWE ring? Leave your thoughts in the comments or head over to Your.MTV.com to make your voice heard!
Earlier this morning, Wake-Up Video celebrated the birthday of Mohandas Gandhi and today's International Day of Non-Violence. But I'd be remiss if I didn't also offer up a tip of the cyber-hat to another anniversary today, as October 2, 1950 marked the debut of Charles Schultz's "Peanuts" comic strip. The simple three-panel daily told the story of Charlie Brown and the various satellite characters that make up his strange childhood. It was a funny, sweet and always painfully existential exploration of growing up in post-war America and spawned an infinite number of animated series, merchandise tie-ins, books and films. In a poetic bit of irony, the final "Peanuts" strip ran in newspapers on February 13, 2000 — the day after Schultz died.
"Peanuts" not only gave life to Charlie Brown but also to Snoopy, his devoted dog and the sometimes more-famous face of the franchise. Snoopy lived a life of fantasy and adventure, but always came back around to reality. It's no wonder why rapper Calvin Broadus chose the name Snoop Doggy Dogg (and later simply Snoop Dogg) as his nom de MC. Throughout his career, he's always had one foot anchored in the reality of the streets and the other planted in a fantasy world he has created for himself. It's what makes Snoop one of the most successful and beloved rappers of all time. Charlie Brown knew that life was a test of will filled with extreme highs and devastating lows, and so does Snoop, whose "Ups & Downs" (from the 2004 album R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece) sums up the "Peanuts" philosophy perfectly.
Later this month, "The Simpsons" will jump into its 21st season with yet another entry in the fantastic "Treehouse of Horror" franchise. To celebrate the upcoming milestone and to pay respects to some great hip-hop icons, Format and Moxy Creative have teamed up to produce a series of limited-edition posters that depict 10 famous rappers "Simpsonized." The results are pretty great. As you can see in the posse shot below, some real heavy hitters are represented: Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Flavor Flav, Andre 3000, Eminem, Eazy-E and Fat Joe have all been converted into cartoon versions of their former selves.
In addition to the posse poster, each MC gets his own individual poster, complete with a customized "O" in the "No Homer" logo (a clever play on the hip-hop catchphrase "No homo"). Kanye gets the shriveled heart from the 808s & Heartbreak cover, while Flav gets a giant clock and Slim Shady gets a pill.
Though "The Simpsons" has featured dozens of guest stars from the music world during its long run, very few rappers have actually shown up on the show (50 Cent famously made a cameo a few years back). While these posters aren't endorsed by the show, let's hope it's a catalyst for getting a few more hot lyricists actually animated and into the program. Knowing what his real world counterpart is capable of, can you imagine what cartoon Weezy would do? Make it happen, Al Jean!
CHICAGO -- I grew up on Snoop Dogg. Outside of A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario,” I think “Nuthin’ But a 'G Thang” was the probably the first rap song I knew the words to. Thinking of Snoop riding down the block on somebody’s handlebars wearing a Penguins jersey, khakis and Chucks in the “Gin & Juice” music video brings a smile to my face. I remember watching his performance of “Murder was the Case” at the 1993 VMA Awards like it was yesterday.
So, when I found out I as going to Lollapalooza this year, Snoop was the one person I needed to see. I had never seen him live and I didn’t care if I slogged my way through rain and the heat and saw nothing else. What better place to see Snoop then at Lollapalooza with tens of thousands of people?
I grabbed a camera so I could be in the press pit for his performance; snapping photos was secondary, I needed a front row seat! Once I got down there, I couldn’t see how far back the crowd stretched from the front of the Chicago 2016 stage. People in the crowd were chanting “we want Snoop,” and a certain pungent aroma was in the air. I knew it was only a matter of a time.
I could feel my mouth stretch from ear-to-ear as Snoop hit the stage. Photographers are allowed to snap photos for three songs in the press pit. I don’t remember any of the songs that played, but I think I snapped about 200 pictures of Snoop wearing his yellow Lakers T-shirt.
Well today fans came back for a second day of intense heat, and the final day of Lollapalooza. Sunday's line-up features some big name performances from punk godfather Lou Reed, The Killers, Snoop Dogg and of course Jane’s Addiction, but we wanted to hit the grounds at Grant Park to see what the kids were really excited to see.
My fellow MTV News teammates and I arrived in Chicago yesterday and we've started to settle into our rooms at the Hilton - yup we got HBO - preparing for Lolapalooza. The three-day festival features performances by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Killers, Snoop Dogg and Tool among others. There are also a variety of other bands performing throughout the weekend. And luckily for us our hotel is located on Michigan Avenue, conveniently across the street from Grant Park where Lolla is held.
It's so convenient that every band seems to be staying here too. There are guys walking around lugging their equipment and checking into their rooms. The only thing is we can't seem to make out who any of them are. I mean we're sure they're in a band. They wear tight jeans, tattered t- shirts and have long, unkempt hair, but again, that's generally every rock band.
We get back from dinner last night, and the hotel lobby is full of guys who look like they're in a band. I'm the hip-hop guy here, so I'll admit I'm not that familiar with some of the smaller acts, but I'll be damn if any of you guys can recognize Portugal. The Man or Animal Collective casually walking by either. So we're standing around going "oh that's the guys from..." "Yeah they look really familiar," and "there goes Vampire Weekend."
I actually saw Vampire Weekend open for the Clipse about 2 years ago at Columbia University, so I would recognize those oxford shirts and boat shoes anywhere.
I guess the cool thing about Lolla is that by the end of the weekend we'll up on a whole host of new bands. So Monday when we see them walk by we can say "good show."
Like occasional collaborator Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg has found a home with viral video. His Buzz Aldrin-assisted moon rap was wonderful, and now the Dogg has struck again. This time, he spoofs that Heineken commercial with the guys who get excited about the walk-in closet full of beer. In typical Snoop fashion, he swaps out the suds in favor of buds. Yes, Snoop's closet is full of Grade A marijuana, as well as friends Verne Troyer and Stephen Marley. The ad is meant to be a viral plug for Snoop's "Blazed and Confused" tour with Marley, Slightly Stoopid and Mickey Avalon, but it's mostly another reason to chuckle at Snoop's warped, beautiful mind.
In interviews last week, second man on the moon Buzz Aldrin teased that he was doing a rap video with Snoop Dogg that would be hitting the Web soon. That day is finally here, as "Rocket Experience" premiered last night. The video, directed by "Terminator: Salvation" helmer McG, shows the 79-year-old astronaut recording the track in the studio with Snoop, Talib Kweli and a series of back-up singers. There's also plenty of footage of space travel mixed in, along with a cameo by Aldrin's Video Music Award. (The MTV Moonman is actually modeled after an image of Aldrin sticking a flag on the moon in 1969.) The clip celebrates the 40th anniversary of Aldrin's walk on the moon, but it's not all fun and games: The song is also available for download, with a portion of the proceeds going to the SpaceShare Foundation.
The idea of Aldrin rapping is pretty funny, but he seems really sold on trying to get young people involved in science and the mysteries of space exploration. Check it out.
Perry Farrell does it to us every year. Yes, his brainchild Lollapalooza is one of the best rock deals for the money every summer, with more than 100 bands playing right on the Chicago lakefront in beautiful Grant Park. But whoever maps out the schedule grid must be a masochist, because this year's lineup has more than its share of conflicts that are going to force some serious musical Sophie's choices. I have already begun stewing over the ones that are trying to break my heart.
Friday is not so bad. Yes, I'd like to see White Lies, but I'll probably choose Jersey punk outfit the Gaslight Anthem. And as much as I've always wanted to check out nutso electronic duo Crystal Castles, by evening I'll probably need to be soothed by the dulcet tones of Fleet Foxes. The headliner spot is an easy one for me, since I just caught Kings of Leon but haven't seen Depeche Mode in six years, and I know their show will have a bit more flash than the Followill brothers' more straight-ahead set. Read more...
By Steven Roberts
