Snoop Dogg Discusses Today’s Rap Game: “Stupid Moves Earn Five Minutes of Fame” and the Decline of Originality

On October 18, 2024, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre made an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show, where they openly discussed the current landscape of the rap and hip-hop scene and shared insights about their forthcoming collaborative project.

While serving as a coach on the 26th season of The Voice, Snoop Dogg addressed the current state of music, indicating that many individuals in the rap genre are more like beat makers than traditional producers.

A moment from Snoop and Dre's interview on The Stephen A. Smith Show (Image via YouTube/@Stephen A. Smith) — A moment from Snoop and Dre’s interview on The Stephen A. Smith Show (Image via YouTube/@Stephen A. Smith)

Commenting on the music industry as a whole, he remarked:

“The fundamentals have been stripped away. Now, it’s just a mobile device that turns you into an artist. A trivial act can earn you a few moments of fame. You ride that wave to create a track, often a two-and-a-half-minute piece echoing others, and suddenly you’re trending.”

The iconic artist further emphasized:

“In the past, the focus was on creativity, musicianship, harmony, and melody — those elements have lost their relevance.”

First Album Collaboration by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre Since 1993’s Doggystyle

During their discussion on The Stephen Smith Show, Snoop Dogg offered valuable advice for aspiring artists, highlighting the importance of authenticity:

“Embrace originality. Nowadays, there’s an overwhelming tendency to copy and imitate. Discover your own production style and sound. Stay true to who you are, even if it means standing apart from the crowd.”

Dr. Dre, known for his legendary partnership with Snoop, also weighed in on the necessity for artists to find their unique sound in collaboration with a particular producer. He expressed his disdain for albums featuring multiple producers:

“Seek out your ideal collaborator. I don’t appreciate when an album has numerous producers involved. I prefer the concept of one producer guiding one album,”

Dre elaborated:

“For me, continuity is paramount. I’m not sure when this trend began, but I’m not a fan. If you’re a producer, you ought to have the capacity to manage the entire album. That’s what I understood it to be from the start.”

The 59-year-old artist from Compton expressed optimism regarding Snoop Dogg’s remarks about the industry’s creative decline, stating his belief in the potential emergence of future talent:

“Somewhere, in a garage, there’s an individual destined to become the next Snoop, Dre, Prince, or Michael Jackson, crafting something revolutionary.”

When the topic of their upcoming album surfaced, Dre mentioned that he is proud of their joint effort, revealing that Snoop had requested he take the lead role in producing.

He further shared that the production process was enjoyable and filled with laughter, estimating they spent about five to six months on the album whenever their schedules allowed.

Snoop Dogg referred to the new project as “elevation,” showcasing the refinement of their artistry.

Set for a November 2024 release, Missionary will be launched under Death Row Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records as a collaborative venture between Snoop and Dr. Dre.

The album is also rumored to include contributions from the legendary artist Sting among its featured acts.

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