It’s been over 30 years since Snoop Dogg dropped the Dr Dre-produced ‘Doggystyle’ – the album that brought G-funk to the world. The duo pioneered West Coast hip-hop, making being gangster fun and pop-friendly compared to the gritty real rap of Ice-T and NWA. ‘Missionary’ doesn’t follow in the footsteps of the history-making hip-hop classic, though. Instead, Dre and Snoop wanted to “show a different level of maturity” with a motivational – yet unpolished – record to close out 2024.
Although it’s named after a sex position, nothing about ‘Missionary’ screams sensual. The closest attempt to this is ‘Gangsta Pose’, on which Snoop raps: “Don’t stop, visionary / On top, missionary / Legs up, on your belly / Then, I’m back up in the chef’s”. Despite the salacious start, it turns into another lesson from Uncle Snoop about confidence and having to “gangster lean through this life”.
The album is more so a glitzy, Hollywood-style free-for-all than full of pleasure-seeking anthems, where the likes of the late Tom Petty, Jelly Roll, 50 Cent and Eminem join Snoop on tracks to toe the line between inspirational and relatable. The results are a little hit-or-miss, especially in the features department: Petty’s droning hook on ‘Lady Mary Jane’ (an ode to the West Coast icon’s beloved marijuana) is an uncomfortable listen. Eminem’s staccato flow on ‘Gunz n Smoke’ feels dull against 50 Cent and Snoop’s entertaining laidback braggadocio as they tell tales inspired by their gritty pre-fame lifestyles.
Not everything on ‘Missionary’ flounders, most surprisingly so on ‘Another Part of Me’, where Snoop takes on psychedelic rock with Sting. Although the sound throws off the album’s overall cohesion, it’s an enchanting one-off that isn’t a tacky venture into another sound. The same can’t be said of ‘Fire’, the random and disastrous reggae song that makes you glad Snoop Dogg is Snoop Lion no more.
Occasionally, there are even moments that hark back to Snoop and Dre’s glory days. ‘Outta Da Blue’ is another classic from the pair as they go back and forth over a nostalgic, ’80s-style beat, making a beautiful nod to hip-hop’s early days. But outro track ‘The Negotiator’ is really where Dre’s expert production and Snoop’s signature chillness align the best. As the cinematic strings, hypnotic jabs of the guitar and dreamy chimes lay the foundation for Snoop to take his victory lap, he reflects on how far he’s come to have his “name on the [Hollywood] Walk of Fame right next to Lenny Kravitz”.
‘Missionary’ is an underwhelming sequel where the inspirational tone feels forced, and the sonic versatility hinders the whole project. Dre and Snoop forgot the legacy they created for the West Coast with ‘Doggystyle’ and – although there are flashes of fun – the forgettable collection barely scratches the surface of their legendary status.
Details
- Release date: December 13, 2024
- Record label: Death Row
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
