The Rise and Fall of Calvin Broadus Jr.

Calvin Broadus Jr. - better known as Snoop Dogg (formerly Snoop Doggy Dogg) EXPLODED onto the music scene in 1992 on the back of the highly anticipated solo debut of Dr Dre. Featuring some of the hottest beats and best rhymes around "The Chronic" showcased Snoop's ultra smooth flow on top of Dre's hot G-Funk production.

Suddenly the world took notice:



"The Chronic" featured as much of Snoop's rapping as Dre's and helped set the stage for the release of "Doggystyle" a year later. Within weeks "Whats My Name" had shot to the top of the charts, and "Gin and Juice" was getting heavy rotation on Radio and MTV. The album hit number 1 on the Billboard (knocking out Pearl Jam's "Ten") and Snoop was the hottest act around.

"Tha Doggfather" was released 2 years later to mixed reviews, despite featuring a more evolved flow, and some bumpin' production by Daz Dillinger.

Trouble within Death Row records saw Snoop looking for a new label, eventually signing with No Limit Records. A couple of sub-par releases owing to poor production and lack-luster guest vocals meant that the spotlight was off Snoop for a few years, and it looked like he was fading into obscurity with rest of the 90's rappers(Wu Tang excluded).

Then - hailed as a "return to form" he releases "R&G". Stylistically, its a complete change of direction, featuring more soul and R&B style production helped out but the Neptunes, and a HUGE single "Drop It Like Its Hot".



Ok - so I grant you that its an awesome single. The album is hard to listen to from start to finish, and Snoops rhymes struggle to match up to the production. Then "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment" comes along featuring the most unlikley guests in the business. Akon??? Come off it. R Kelly??? SERIOUS??? Dang.

Then...this:



Snoop, dogg, I dig you man. You were the first hip hop artist I got into properly. I have nothing but respect. I'll keep buying your records, and admiring your durability in a fast turning industry, but bro... You GOTTA drop the vocal adjuster. Its a gimmick dude.