SNOOP DOGG // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
Snoop was a Dogg with a bone at Glasgow’s OVO arena and the fans were left reeling.
★★★★★ (5/5)
SNOOP DOGG // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN
Snoop Dogg is household name. With multimedia mastery, he has permeated airwaves around the world. A name associated with brilliance, genius and controversy, it's no surprise that he is hard to pin down. In 2023, multiplatinum, Emmy award winning, entrepreneur, Snoop stands with his legacy around him, but this is a world he built from the ground up. Snoop, born Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr., was raised in humble beginnings. He was brought up in east side of long beach in LA where teenage Snoop was stolen away from the 9 to 5 life style into a world of dangerous, illicit activities. Balancing his life of gangbangers and rap, things changed for Snoop when he did time. Encouraged by his fellow inmates, Snoop left his sentence with a mind on his potential for hip-hop stardom.
In 1992, Snoop started on what became like a mentorship with Dr.Dre – whom he was introduced to through Dre’s rapper step brother Warren G. It was here that it seemed to be written in the start for Snoop who had been working with Warren and Nate G. He went on cement himself as fundamental in the 90s and 00s music scene. Evolving over the years, Snoop has always looked to the future while staying true to his past. Despite controversy and legal issues around the world, Snoop is still known for his light-hearted/playful attitude. Now, 30 years after he first began to take off, Snoop is a family man, a businessman and an icon.
The highly anticipated night at Glasgow’s OVO arena was rescheduled from last August. The delay would not be the only disappointment of the tour with Warren G and Obi Trice dropping out earlier this year leaving only D12 as the only original support. To fill the bill, divisive Irish rap duo Versatile joined the line-up. They have been heavily criticised for the blatant racism in the lyrics to the song Dublin City G’s. Seeing no fault in their actions, the pair doubled down in support of their track and the backlash against them continues to grow.
With the 13,000 capacity venue nearly a complete sell out; huge queues snaked around the outside of the building. After tackling the entrances, fans were subjected to a monumental wait in line for a drink from any of the packed out bars. Earlier in the day, videos were captured of Snoop Dogg dancing as he arrived at Glasgow airport where he was greeted with bagpipes playing the track ‘Still D.R.E.’. It looked like Snoop was excited to be in Scotland and there was a hungry crowd waiting for him.
It was D12’s set where the night kicked off for most. The Detroit super group was represented by two members, Kuniva and Swifty McVay. The hip-hop collective were notorious for heavy, penetrating beats and their work with Eminem. Hugely popular in the UK, Glasgow’s hydro was packed to see D12. Their set was relentless and Kuniva delivered each line like a knocked out punch. McVay looked at ease yet firing on all cylinders. Highlights of their set included ‘Pistol Pistol,’ ‘Gurls Wit Da Boom,’ ‘Under the Influence’ and ‘Fight Music.’ The heart and soul of the musicians came throughout as they paid careful attention to look out for fan during a medical emergency in the crowd and paid multiple respects to dearly departed brethren Proof and Tupac. As they thanked the crowd and touchingly thanked each other, there was a frenzied air of ecstasy in arena.
CROWD AT SNOOP DOGG // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN
The crowd was buzzing during the short wait between D12 and Snoop. The standing section was heaving and sweaty and it was about to get a whole lot hotter. The Dogg took to the stage after a short satirical video of him deciding what to wear for the tour. He stood in front of the roaring fans looking every bit the badass. With a smile, he asked the crowd ‘Are you ready to get down with the Dogg?’ while pole dancers mounted metal poles and ‘The Next Episode’ blasted out.
Among those joining Snoop on the stage across the night were a group of five amazing professional pole dancers and a fake joint smoking monkey. Snoop kept the energy by varying the staging with songs like ‘Wiggle,’ ‘California Girls’ and ‘Sexual Eruption’ featuring the dancers but kicking back with his crew for other songs including ‘Signs,’ ‘P.I.M.P.’ and the Ice Cube track ‘It was a Good Day.’
Dawning the stage smoking and having a few smoke breaks throughout the show, the night celebrated the wild sides of life. During hard-core track ‘Wet’ the crowd was a mass of dancing bodies; during ‘Jump Around’ the arena looked like a mosh pit. Snoop was at the helm of this free expression. He smiled his cheekily and continuously and looked in his element as he grooved with every track – even light-heartedly twerking at one point.
The epic set was finished with the infectious ‘Drop it Like It’s Hot’ and a heavenly-gospel take on ‘Young, Wild and Free’ which saw all the performers come together and share in connection. The hip-hop originator held Glasgow to the wall and left the crowd begging for more as he thanked them and promised that he would be back. As the hydro quaked in the aftermath of an incredible performance, it is clear doggystyle is still in and that Snoop is a top dog.
