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Snoop: The Life Of NYC's Party - 3/11/08 @ The Blender Theatre in Gramercy
After tonight’s (3/11) performance in NYC's Blender Theatre at Gramercy, you’d never think that 13 years ago Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound (Daz Dillinger and Kurupt) Godzilla-ed their way through New York City in their video for “New York, New York." It is in that comparison that Snoop’s evolution as an artist is most vividly exhibited – an evolution that was encompassed in tonight’s performance. Through changes, growth, musical accomplishments, movie roles, everything, America has watched Snoop pull off some of the most memorable moments of recent history – and they love him for them; just for being “Snoop."
Even though the show was only announced a few days prior to the event, the Dogg Father followed last night’s (3/10) Ego Trippin’ release party and today’s (3/11) album launch with an insane performance for a theatre packed with fans. Ego Trippin’ is the multi-award winner’s 9th studio album and features Snoop’s latest smash, "Sensual Seduction."
A surprise to those in attendance, the night was opened with an epic performance by Kid Capri – a priceless gift when you get to watch an icon open up for another icon, both legends in their respective lanes of Hip Hop culture. “You might not hear me on the radio all the time... or see me on TV... but if you come to a Kid Capri party, you will sweat,” he declared after his intense set. If you were in the audience, it was one of those nights where you knew, before the main event even got started, that it’d be one of the best shows you’ve ever seen.
Yea... He still moves that quick
East, West, North, South: regardless of any differences on any level, the essence of Hip Hop links each sect… and the 1st rule for attending Hip Hop shows: the times on the ticket mean nothing – “Doors @ 9” means “maybe 9:30” and “[Artist] to stage @ 10” means "midnight, if its we're 'on schedule.'" Snoop, a true showman, let the anticipation mount for his performance and delivered for the wait. On top of the profound, surprise set from Kid Capri, when Snoop did finally hit the stage (a little after 12) he and the D.P.G. were ready to go, putting on a 2-hour-long performance for the unseasonably foggy theatre.
Snoop took the crowd on a diverse journey through Hip Hop history. He started the evening performing the classic title track from 1992’s Deep Cover, let some West Coast Hip Hop veterans bless the NYC crowd, gave a mini-tribute to the beloved Tupac Shakur, "reintroduced" himself with the definitive "Who Am I (What’s My Name)?", performed some tracks from Ego Trippin’, and rocked the crowd, front to back, with his most recent hits like “Beautiful,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and the aforementioned “Sensual Seduction."
Watch some of Snoop's Classics
Along with Kurupt and Daz, Snoop Dogg was also joined by West Coast OG Too Short and New Jack R&B legend Teddy Riley. Too Short actually did his own abbreviated concert set, performing some of his laid-back-classics as Snoop swayed across the stage, clearly adamantly enjoying the show. He closed the set with a finale befitting his swagger, with almost 3 full minutes of chanting nothing but expletives - it was original; it was "Hip Hop." Teddy Riley came out to help close the show – he performed a medley that included some Blackstreet classics and segued into the instant classic "Sensual Seduction."
Though the vibe and the feeling of the show changed with the beat pounding throughout the theatre, there was one very apparent constant: Snoop. The ride took the Blender Theatre crowd along a musical timeline, displaying the evolution of both and artist (as well as some of the music and individuals who've influenced that evolution) and an individual. In the last 15 years, Snoop's gone from testing the bureaucratically imposed limits of the 1st Amendment to having a top-rated reality TV show that is really nothing about "Snoop Dogg" (other than the title, Snoop Dogg's Father Hood), but about Calvin Broadus, Jr. as a father and husband. In all metamorphoses, though, Snoop has remained the artist that Hip Hop fans and Pop Culture love, as well as staying true to the man that Calvin Broadus has grown to be.
Seeing Snoop perform live is an essential for anyone who enjoys music. It’s a show with an energy that can only be described with 1 word: “Snoop” - and if that doesn’t make sense to you, you’ve got a lot of catching up to do (go back 1992 and let us know when you catch up). The Dogg Father is one of the last of a dying breed – he is a performer, putting on an incomparable show – performing classic Snoop Dogg tracks with classic Snoop Dogg swagger. Do yourself a favor and try and catch him on his Ego Trippin’ promo run.
Check MORE Exclusive Photos of Snoop Dogg's Performance
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