Snoop Dogg’s surprise Iz It A Crime? album has arrived The 21-track album is his 21st solo studio album, and comes six months after his Missionary project with Dr. Dre.
The Long Beach rap icon keeps the collaborative vibes going on the new project, with features from Pharrell Williams (on “Spot”), Wiz Khalifa (on “Just The Way It Iz”), Sexyy Red (on “Me N OG Snoop“), and Larussell, as well as new Death Row signees like Jane Handcock and Charlie Bereal. The project, released on Death Row Records and gamma, features production from Battlecat, Rick Rock, and Nottz.
At a May 13 album listening event in New York City, Snoop reflected that Iz It A Crime? is a cathartic album where he felt inspired to get some things off his chest. On the Denaun-featured “My Friend,” he got personal on an ode to family members who’ve died, including his mother Beverly Broadus Green and brother Bing Worthington. “Can’t Get Enough” is dedicated to his wife Shante Broadus, while “Life’s Journey” is a self-explanatory reflection on his winding, more than three-decade rap career.
He also clapped back at perceived naysayers on the aptly titled “ShutYoBitchAssUp,” which addresses onetime Death Row boss Suge Knight. The two had at one point reconciled from years of tension after Snoop left the venerable label, but Suge has since said several disparaging things about Snoop in recent years.
Snoop also reflected at the listening event that the title was in part a response to backlash toward his recent Inauguration performance and comments that he has “nothing but love and respect” for President Donald Trump. The comments are in stark contract to past critiques of Trump as a racist, and his condemnation of any Black performer at the 2020 inauguration as a “jigaboo.” Perhaps Trump’s pardon of Michael “Harry O” Harris, Snoop’s friend (and original founder of Death Row Records), played into Snoop’s change of heart.
Iz It A Crime?, following Death Row’s Altar Call gospel album, was paired with an extended visual that’s part music video, part documentary. It shows him at the Paris Olympics with the United States Men’s Basketball team, speaking with rap legend Rev Run, and performing on stages all over the world. He intersperses the footage with videos for several songs on the album.
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From Rolling Stone US
