Snoop Dogg's "Missionary" Album Review: A Disappointing Follow-up to a Seminal Hip-Hop Masterpiece
Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre have teamed up once again, releasing their latest album 'Missionary' on December 13, 2024. This new project, launched under the record label Death Row, is a nod to their roots and a testament to their enduring influence in the music industry.
'Missionary' is a motivational record that aims to show a different level of maturity, marking a departure from the pleasure-seeking anthems of Snoop's earlier days. The album features collaborations with a diverse range of artists, including Tom Petty, Jelly Roll, 50 Cent, Eminem, and even Sting.
The album's title track, 'Lady Mary Jane', is an ode to marijuana, with a droning hook by Tom Petty. 'Outta Da Blue' is a classic from Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre, boasting a nostalgic, '80s-style beat. The track 'Gunz n Smoke', featuring Eminem, 50 Cent, and Snoop Dogg, showcases the trio's dynamic chemistry. However, Eminem's staccato flow in this song is said to feel dull compared to the others.
The album also includes the reggae song 'Fire', which some critics find to be random and disastrous. On the other hand, the enchanting one-off 'Another Part of Me', featuring Snoop Dogg and Sting, is praised for not feeling like a tacky venture into another sound.
The outro track 'The Negotiator' sees Snoop Dogg reflecting on having his name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next to Lenny Kravitz. Despite the criticism, 'Missionary' remains an album by Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre, the duo responsible for popularizing G-funk and West Coast hip-hop with their iconic album 'Doggystyle' 30 years ago.
However, some critics argue that 'Missionary' falls short of scratching the surface of the duo's legendary status. They claim that the inspirational tone in 'Missionary' feels forced and that the sonic versatility in the album hinders the project. The review by NME indicates that there are flashes of fun in 'Missionary', but they are forgettable.
Nevertheless, 'Missionary' acts as a homage to Snoop Dogg’s formative artistic era embodied in 'Doggystyle' but showcases his artistic growth, collaborations with original producers like Dr. Dre, and a polished modernized take that resonates with both longtime fans and new listeners.
- The album 'Missionary' by Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre, released in 2024, showcases a diverse range of musical styles, including collaborations with artists like Tom Petty, Jelly Roll, 50 Cent, Eminem, and Sting, showcasing a maturity beyond their earlier pleasure-seeking anthems.
- The track 'Another Part of Me', featuring Snoop Dogg and Sting, is praised for not feeling like a tacky venture into another sound, and is seen as a highlight of the album that resonates with both longtime fans and new listeners.
- Some critics argue that 'Missionary' falls short of scratching the surface of Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre's legendary status, with the inspirational tone feeling forced and the sonic versatility hindering the project, but still acts as a homage to Snoop Dogg’s formative artistic era embodied in 'Doggystyle' and showcases his artistic growth.
