On this date in 2000, West Coast rap giant Snoop Dogg released his fifth full-length studio album entitled The Last Meal, which was released on Master P’s Dirty South, independent powerhouse, No Limit Records, as well as the first album on Snoop’s Doggystyle Records. This album was released during the “dog days” of Death Row, with Snoop and Dre parting ways with their former boss and label owner Suge Knight. The album was leaked on the internet on December 1, 2000, by Suge Knight who made all tracks downloadable in MP3 from the official site of his and Snoop Dogg’s former company Death Row Records, which featured links to tracks from both Tha Last Meal and Dead Man Walkin’ albums, asking visitors to “take The Snoop Dogg Challenge” and decide “song for song” which is the better album.
There was some heavy production on the album, with tracks primarily from Dr. Dre and Master P, adding Timbaland and Soopafly to the unique flavor of this project as well. The most recognizable track from the album was “Lay Low” a melodic track featuring Butch Cassidy, The Outsidaz with Nate Dogg singing the hook and Dr. Dre behind the boards, capturing that original G-funk sound of the 213.
Salute to Snoop, Master P, Dre and the entire No Limit/Death Row teams who helps mold this timeless classic!
On this day in 2003, James Tapp Jr., who is better known to the Hip Hop community as Soulja Slim, was shot and killed in front of his mother’s residence the night before Thanksgiving in his hometown of New Orleans. He was 26 years old.
Slim’s killer, the 22-year-old Gerelle Smith, was arrested on New Year’s Eve for the shooting but was released after no witnesses would come forward, even though the murder weapon was found in Smith’s possession. In August 2011, Smith was also shot and killed.
The New Orleans District Attorney’s office still has Slim’s murder listed as a cold case.
Soulja Slim is best known for his Juvenile assisted “Slow Motion”, which was the premiere track that featured both of New Orleans’ Hip-Hop first families; No Limit Records and Cash Money Records.
Salute to Slim (RIP) and the city of New Orleans for giving the world a chance to hear the voice of one of its kings.
The Source Magazine sends a big born day shout out to the No Limit general
We want to give a big Happy Birthday shout out to Master P (aka Percy Miller), who was born on April 29, 1970 in the city New Orleans. He used money from a malpractice settlement to open No Limit Records, a store which became the multi-million dollar label and a household name.
His artists crowded the Hip Hop charts in the late 90s and Master P expanded his empire into film, sports management and socially conscious music. He’s constantly on the Forbes list for top earners in Hip Hop, but he made an awakening birthday post announcement on Instagram (@officialmasterp) that says praying and being thankful for his blessings is what keeps him grounded.
“Don’t wait to pray until you need something. Pray and be thankful everyday for your blessings. Amen. #GodisGood@masterpmasterclass”
Happy Born Day to Mr. Miller as he enjoys today and many more hereafter!
According to Cam’ron, the influence of Master P’s No Limit Records reached far beyond the South, touching down all the way in Harlem in the late 90s. During a recent appearance on the All The Smoke podcast, the NYC native shared how it even inspired the formation of Dipset. Cam’ron says that he used the label as a blueprint after being impressed by how Master P had his entire block in a “frenzy.”
“I used to observe these arguments, like, ‘N***as is really going cr*zy about n***as who’s in the same clique,’” he recalled. “So I kinda took all that format to try to make the Diplomat brand.” Cam’ron continued, explaining how guys in his neighborhood even eventually started to take fashion cues from the New Orleans-born performer.
“N***as used to have No Limit fights on my block. N***as was in New York wearing camouflage. Master P had n***as going cr*zy. Mr. Serv-on, Mystikal, it got down with them n***as. Shaq was in the video. They talking about P got $400 million. N***as is going around buying fake tank chains. All type of sh*t. Master P had that sh*t in a frenzy.” Ultimately, Cam’ron’s decision to take inspiration from Master P worked out in his favor. The two of them even eventually got to team up.
Master P and Dipset joined forces in 2002 to remake “Bout It, Bout It,” later shooting a music video for the track in Harlem. “It’s gonna be something good for the kids and something good for the streets, showing the different communities hooking up,” Master P told MTV of the collab. What do you think of Cam’ron sharing that Master P’s No Limit Records inspired Dipset’s formation? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
On this date in 2000, West Coast rap giant Snoop Dogg released his fifth full-length studio album entitled The Last Meal, which was released on Master P’s Dirty South, independent powerhouse, No Limit Records, as well as the first album on Snoop’s Doggystyle Records. This album was released during the “dog days” of Death Row, with Snoop and Dre parting ways with their former boss and label owner Suge Knight. The album was leaked on the internet on December 1, 2000, by Suge Knight who made all tracks downloadable in MP3 from the official site of his and Snoop Dogg’s former company Death Row Records, which featured links to tracks from both Tha Last Meal and Dead Man Walkin’ albums, asking visitors to “take The Snoop Dogg Challenge” and decide “song for song” which is the better album.
There was some heavy production on the album, with tracks primarily from Dr. Dre and Master P, adding Timbaland and Soopafly to the unique flavor of this project as well. The most recognizable track from the album was “Lay Low” a melodic track featuring Butch Cassidy, The Outsidaz with Nate Dogg singing the hook and Dr. Dre behind the boards, capturing that original G-funk sound of the 213.
Salute to Snoop, Master P, Dre and the entire No Limit/Death Row teams who helps mold this timeless classic!
In a new preview for his upcoming podcastCollect Call With Suge Knight, the infamous record executive accuses Master P of lying. Master P previously claimed that he visited Knight in prison, offering him $2 million in exchange for Snoop Dogg signing to No Limit Records. Knight is calling cap, however, claiming that Master P’s not even on his list of approved visitors.
“[Master P] slipped up and said he came to visit me in prison,” he says in a new clip. “And gave me a couple of bucks — $2 million I never would have took no sh*t like that for Snoop. I got a whole list if anybody ever visits me. You got to be approved. That n***a is not on none of it.” According to Knight, he actually signed a deal with Priority Records’ Bryan Turner, and allowed Snoop to sign to No Limit.
“The paperwork is what the paperwork says,” he also adds. “I did a deal with Bryan Turner at Priority Records. And [I] loaned Snoop’s services to Priority and gave him the right to go over to No Limit.” Clearly, fans are in for some interesting revelations with Knight’s new podcast, which is only days away from dropping. The pod, which goes live on Halloween, will touch on a variety of hip hop subjects, apart from 2Pac’s murder case.
He partnered with Dave Mays, founder of The Source and CEO of Breakbeat Media, to make it a reality. “As we celebrate hip-hop’s 50th year, more than ever the hip-hop community needs a media platform that they can trust to bring a truthful and authentic perspective on so many important things happening in our world,” Mays says of the podcast. “And I’m so excited to be able to enlist the help of my longtime friend and one of hip-hop’s most formidable, pioneering, and fearless leaders to help Breakbeat continue to achieve this goal.” What do you think of Suge Knight calling out Master P for allegedly lying? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
On this day in Hip Hop history, Snoop Dogg released his third LP Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told, his first release on No Limit Records. Although met with mixed reviews from critics, this #1 album may very well be the most important project of Snoop’s career.
Following the release of his sophomore LP Tha Doggfather, Snoop’s relationship withDeath Row Records began to deteriorate. The aftermath of Dr. Dre leaving the label brought the worst out of its co-founder Suge Knight causing his iron dictatorship business model to only tighten its grip. Snoop’s disapproval of Death Row owning and profiting off of everything that he had recorded since signing along with receiving luxurious gifts in lieu of royalties led to his refusal to write another bar for Knight until his contract was up, excluding of course the infamous “F*ck Death Row.” A year later, Snoop finally decided to call it quits and take his talents down south.
Snoop signed with P. Miller in 1998 and officially became a part of the hottest rap syndicate of the time, No Limit Records. The No Limit army had begun to monopolize the rap game in 1997 with the release of Master P’s Ghetto D which peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 and set what would be the labels most successful year. Much like the 2010 signing of LeBron James to the Miami Heat, Snoop Dogg’s joining No Limit brought with it nothing but success and took the label to the top of the rap game.
The anticipation of a Snoop Dogg album without Death Row brought about so much hype that the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and sold 520,000 copies in its first week. Critics had a lot to say about this album as it received mixed reviews across a plethora of publications. With the majority of critics citing the change in style and production of this project to fit the No Limit uniform, many praised the transition Snoop was making from a strictly West Coast G-Funk artist to one that could appeal to a wider range of Hip Hop fans. Snoop’s talent mixed with Master P’s marketing genius brought this tape to make chart appearances in ten countries across the globe and sell 3,985,360 copies in the United States alone.
With this album, Snoop proved that he was more than just another West Coast gangsta rapper. Although his album sales of previous albums were enough to set him apart from his local competition, never before had a West Coast artist been able to step outside of California and retain and gain the respect that Snoop did. His ability to thrive in the dirty south during an era of Hip Hop where factions and tension based on geography were at an all-time high showed that his talent was above the petty beef and could shine on any front.
With a distinctive rap flow and a swagged-out personality, Snoop Dogg is in a league of his own. As a legacy rapper, he has influenced generations of artists after him. His crossover into the mainstream is also unlike any other. While he rose to fame as a hard-hitting rapper, he’s become one of the most lovable celebrities on the planet.
Snoop Dogg has made several seamless transitions into many forms of media and sports. As one of the most versatile figures, he’s dominated any field he’s ventured into. Today, he’s more than just a musical genius. His impact has also been felt in business, acting, wrestling, football, and reality television.
Snoop Dogg’s Rise To Fame
Like many Black artists before and after him, Snoop Dogg caught the musical bug through the church. He played piano and sang during services before kicking off as a rapper in school. In 1993, he revealed to The Los Angeles Times that rap made him a popular figure in school. “When I rapped in the hallways at school, I would draw such a big crowd that the principal would think there was a fight going on,” he said. “It made me begin to realize that I had a gift. I could tell that my raps interested people and that made me interested in myself.”
Named Calvin Broadus Jr., Snoop Dogg has adopted many rap monikers, including Snoop Lion over the decades. He began rapping professionally as Snoop Doggy Dogg. He received his first bout of major exposure after appearing on Dr. Dre’s debut album, The Chronic. After gaining recognition, Snoop began to work on his own full-length project. In November 1993, Snoop’s debut, Doggystyle, was released to widespread praise and attention. Furthermore, the album debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 and featured the timeless hit “Gin and Juice.”Doggystyle would quickly place him on the map as a West Coast Hip Hop legend.
While he continued to dominate musically in the ’90s, Snoop Dogg was wrapped up in many legal issues. He was in and out of jail and was at the center of an infamous murder trial between 1993 and 1996. For the entire decade, he switched up his rap style several times. He released four albums during this time as well.
The 2000s & 2010s
By the 2000s, Snoop was already a rap icon. During this time, he began to break into other forms of media. He tackled the Bollywood mainstream with the single “Singh is Kinng.” In Hollywood, he showed off his acting chops in the popular dramas Baby Boy and Training Day. Snoop Dogg also appeared in the hit comedy Soul Plane as Captain Antoine Mack, a role which showed off his comedic side and earned him adoration from fans. In 2007, a reality show about the rapper, Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood, premiered on E! Snoop and his family appeared, following their day-to-day lives and special moments.
Personal Life
Snoop Dogg and his high school sweetheart, Shante Taylor, married in 1997. They have three children together. Snoop also has a son from a relationship with Laurie Holmond. He has consistently shown love to his family on social media. Besides his family, the music legend has established close bonds with celebrities and fellow rappers. He is great friends with Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams, and Wiz Khalifa. Snoop Dogg’s friendship with Martha Stewart has also made significant headlines over the years. The pair’s long-lasting relationship has been admired by many for their widely different backgrounds.
Snoop Dogg’s Impact
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 22: (L-R) Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg attend ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Celebration of 50 Years of Hip-Hop on June 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP)
While many have tried to replicate his signature flow, none have come close to the original. Snoop Dogg remains one of the most established Hip Hop acts of all time. His infectious swagger has made him a relevant staple in the media for three decades. He acquired the label Death Row Records in 2022 and seeks to revive it. Snoop Dogg has also been nominated for and won multiple awards. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018.
On this date in 2000, West Coast rap giant Snoop Dogg released his fifth full-length studio album entitled The Last Meal, which was released on Master P’s Dirty South, independent powerhouse, No Limit Records, as well as the first album on Snoop’s Doggystyle Records. This album was released during the “dog days” of Death Row, with Snoop and Dre parting ways with their former boss and label owner Suge Knight. The album was leaked on the internet on December 1, 2000, by Suge Knight who made all tracks downloadable in MP3 from the official site of his and Snoop Dogg’s former company Death Row Records, which featured links to tracks from both Tha Last Meal and Dead Man Walkin’ albums, asking visitors to “take The Snoop Dogg Challenge” and decide “song for song” which is the better album.
There was some heavy production on the album, with tracks primarily from Dr. Dre and Master P, adding Timbaland and Soopafly to the unique flavor of this project as well. The most recognizable track from the album was “Lay Low” a melodic track featuring Butch Cassidy, The Outsidaz with Nate Dogg singing the hook and Dr. Dre behind the boards, capturing that original G-funk sound of the 213.
Salute to Snoop, Master P, Dre and the entire No Limit/Death Row teams who helps mold this timeless classic!
