Snoop Dogg @ the O2 Academy Liverpool : Review

Four years ago, then Liverpool FC chairman, Waldorf & Statler announced that if maligned former Reds manager Rafa Benitez wanted to sign ‘Snoogy Doogy’ they would back him to bring him to the club.

They may have not followed through with their promise of bringing a Hip Hop star to the city but on Wednesday night at the O2 Academy that is just exactly what happened. ‘Snoogy Doogy’, or Snoop Doggy Dogg as he's known to the rest of us, performed a memorable gig for all in attendance.

Snoop wasn't originally billed to perform in Liverpool on his current UK tour, which is promoting his 11th record ‘Doggumentary’, maybe he forgot, maybe that's why he was two hours late. Rumour had it his bus was delayed.

I’ve always thought Arriva have had tardy service.

But while The Doggfather waiting for his carriage, warm-up act Maverick Saber did their thing with a an excellent live performance backed by a live band.

A string of DJ's took to the one's and two's in a bid to keep the atmosphere 'gangsta', but though the heat inside the O2 may have been hitting Long Beach temperatures, fake-tanned Scouse birds couldn't be appeased by Tribe Called Quest classics, and the mood grew impatient.

So when the DJ finally began to shout shout ‘Where’s Snoop Dogg at!?’, a frustrated audience could've been forgiven for thinking his enquiry was genuine.

But to the dramatic sound of Carmina Burana and a fever pitch atmosphere Big Snoop Dogg nonchalantly strolled, iced out microphone in hand, on to his platform to a frenzied reception.

This was always going to be worth the wait.

Without breaking stride he got into his first track ‘I Wanna Rock’ from his previously released album, Malice in Wonderland.

It was early into his set when big Snoop Eastwood had a quick outfit change. A gig-fad normally reserved for Lady Gaga’s wheelie bin ensembles, Snoop kept it relevant.

The appearance of a six foot something rapper in a Liverpool FC shirt was greeted with cheers by most, and bitter, resentful sneers by a few.

They jeers were temporary though, because, re-adressing the crowd clad in the famous red jersey, Snoogy Doogy was about to put in a man of the match performance.

Through his show he mixed the old with the new. With a stage presence bigger than King Kong S, N, double O, P effortlessly moved through the set list which included classics such as; Gin ‘n Juice, the Dr. Dre collaborations Nothin But A G Thang and The Next Episode. Along with a personal favourite of mine, Deep Cover.

To the displeasure of some those there to here Snoopy in his OG pomp, he, understandably, plugged his latest offerings, the David Guetta ‘produced’ Sweat and the 2006 hit I Wanna Love You featuring Akon. That came alongside some solid current material, the Neptunes banger, Drop It Like It’s Hot. All delivered with such panache.

But the Pop offerings are not what the night will be remembered for, the classic cuts is what Snoop Doggy Dogg is known for, that unmistakable West Coast G Funk that everybody should have on rotation during the Summer months.

He, as all rappers do, took time to remember the greats, Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. But there was another name added to the tributes, the late great and underrated, Nate Dogg. Renditions of his priapic lines from the 1993 Doggystyle track Ain’t No Fun was belted out by the adoring crowd.

If anybody in that room didn’t already know who the master of ceremony was performing, they certainly would after his closing and most notable record. What’s My Name?

After just shy of 20 years in the music industry and more so the Rap game, the Hip Hop legend rarely needs to ask people what his name is but the satisfied mass were more than obliged to call out. Snoopy Doggy Dogg.

BY Richard Platt @ The O2 Academy

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