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| by Bridget Petrella with additional writing by John Mundazio |
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Bridget
Petrella is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of UPBEAT Entertainment
News Online. At this point in her life, she's seriously contemplating a
complete and unbridled abandonment of typical network television...
opting instead for Silver Surfer comic books, novels with wordy titles,
Retro TV Land, HBO and Showtime's Original Programming schedule and
of course... Nick at Night. |
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Snoop’s
extended family is filled up with a rather fascinating cast of
characters, some of which include Uncle June Bugg, a smooth-talking,
Hennessey-drinking, professional dancer and romancer; or Uncle Reo, the
leopard-print leather pantsuit wearing chef of the family; Kevin, the
white hip-hop head and one of Snoop’s many wranglers and managers; or
Big Keyes, one of three bodyguards bigger than a grizzly bear with the
heart of a teddy bear and the voice of Mickey Mouse. This clan is
vibrant, animated and always united. Whether he is chasing after the
kids to clean the house, taking yoga classes in a quest to relieve
stress, figuring out how to talk to his oldest son about dating while on
the set of his latest music video, or on a mission to find some decent
chicken wings in Germany, Snoop’s life is never dull as he strives for
balance between family and career. His magnetic sense of humor is always
sure to entertain, as he often breaks the fourth wall and talks directly
to the viewer. This lovable family always promises to serve up their
fair share of calamity: with Cordell’s plots to hustle cash, Cordé’s
life as a modern teenager, Cori’s dreams of becoming a superstar, and
Anthony's haphazard and hysterical attempts to keep order between all of
them. You never know what’s going to go down in a day in the life of
this clan… some days you wake up and jump on private jet, and other days
you gotta buckle down and do your homework. For the first time, you’ll
get a ringside seat as Snoop pursues his version of the American Dream.
You'll laugh, you'll be touched, and then you'll chill... until the next
episode. 
Calvin
“Snoop Dogg” Broadus is a rare exception in the turbulent world of
Hip-Hop. In a genre where big names come and go just as fast as hit
records, Snoop Dogg has managed to stay tremendously relevant throughout
his 16-plus years in the game. From music to movies, video games to
clothing lines and now his own hit TV show (E!’s reality series Snoop
Dogg’s Father Hood), Snoop Dogg is an all-out pop culture icon and
household name. While his longevity can easily be credited to his often
brilliant musical creativity, the various personalities contained within
the character we know as Snoop Dogg have also played a vital role. Ego
Trippin’, the Doggfather’s ninth (9th) solo studio album, deftly takes
the listener on a journey through Snoop’s many faces. The end result is
a slick, sonically assorted, yet thematically cohesive offering that
shuns present day notions of constructing an album and instead crafts a
work that marries Snoop’s many musical influences together with his
array of personas. “The album is called Ego Trippin’ because “I wanted
to make something that is true to where I’m at as a musician and not
just play connect the dots. It’s a record that is totally free of
constraints. It’s just me doing me,” explains Snoop. But Snoop Dogg
didn’t set out to accomplish this alone. Instead he recruited legendary
producer/recording artist Teddy Riley to enhance the process. Riley and
Snoop’s participation as honorees in last year’s VH1 Hip-Hop Honors was
the catalyst that sparked what at first might be seen as an unusual
partnership. “We got to talking at the show and I told him how much I
admired his work,” remembers Snoop about the fateful evening. “Come to
find out that he was just as big of a fan of my music. I told him that
we had to work together.” 
The
resulting sessions birthed an unimaginable amount of high quality
music. Next the duo added the musical mind of renowned producer/rapper
DJ Quik into the fold. “Quik always had this incredibly trained studio
ear,” says Snoop of his fellow West Coast Hip-Hop OG. “I knew with the
type of music that me and Teddy was making, he would be the perfect
fit.” The trio would form what Snoop coined the “QDT Music Group” behind
a very effective song making process. “I would come up with the idea for
the song conceptually,” says Snoop. “Then Teddy would come in and act as
the musical filter— basically taking my idea and setting it to music.
Then Quik would act as the finisher. He would maybe add a few musical
elements to certain songs. He also mixed every song!” Flashing his
trademark sly smile it’s obvious that Snoop knew this alliance would
amount to a musical jackpot. “This album is really produced— and I mean
‘produced’ in the traditional sense,” adds Snoop who also injected the
instrumental prowess of burgeoning producer Terrace Martin. “Every song
is layered and sonically just right. It’s like a meeting of top notch
musical minds and it allowed me to take chances.” Already Ego Trippin’
has produced a smash. “Sensual Seduction,” the album’s first single, is
proof positive of the musical leaps that Snoop is willing to take. The
song’s Roger Troutman influenced hook and accompanying early 80s
nostalgia inducing video impacted radio rotations, video play lists and
most importantly, Snoop’s fans immediately. “My fans have been with me
for so long that I can take them wherever I want to go and they are
comfortable,” he assures. 
The
gangsta rap that Snoop initially made his name off is also at full
strength. Bay Area beatsmith Rick Rock’s “Staxxx In My Jeans” and a
newly debuted double time flow on “Ridin’ In My Chevy” offer the album’s
most menacing moments and shows Snoop can still get down on the street
level. And as always, Snoop demonstrates his allegiance to the West
Coast with all of the hype-driven “Life Of The Party” alongside
Oakland’s Mr. Fab and Too Short. The fun loving Dogg is here as well.
Snoop’s “Johnny Cash,” produced by Everlast, brings to mind karaoke
night at a cowboy bar. It’s easy to imagine the smile on Snoop’s face as
he gracefully bounces of the country western inspired romp. And over the
lively track of “Hollywood Nights,” Snoop gets a chance to revel in his
A-List fame on a ride down the Sunset Strip.But what has rarely been
witnessed throughout Snoop’s years in the record business is his home
life. But with the wildly popular Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood emerging as
one of the season’s top programs, Ego Trippin’ doesn’t shy away from
Snoop the family guy. “It was important for me to give the audience
another side of me,” explains Snoop. “It can’t be all gangsta, all the
time.” This theme is touched on throughout the album leaving the family
talk of “Been Around The World,” “Make It Good”— a song dedicated to his
wife Shante, the autobiographical “Neva Have 2 Worry” and the Teddy
Riley produced, orchestra and choir filled “Say Goodbye” some of the
most genuine offerings in Snoop’s entire catalog. While Ego Trippin’ can
easily be labeled a redefinition for Snoop Dogg, in many ways it’s more
of a blossoming. It took years of grind time and dedication for Snoop to
reach this point in his illustrious career. And with Ego Trippin’, Snoop
is comfortable enough with his music and his audience to let all his
sides shine and again show why he has become one of the top artists of
his generation, a living legend indeed. UB
