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Tha Doggfather

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Tha Doggfather is the second studio album by Snoop Doggy Dogg, released by Death Row Records and Interscope Records on November 12, 1996. Prior to the successful release of his debut album, Doggystyle (1993), Snoop was charged with murder. During 1995, Snoop had been spending much time preparing for the case, which went to trial later that year. In February 1996, he was cleared of all charges and began working on his second album, without Dr. Dre as producer. This was Snoop's last album on Death Row Records under the name of Snoop Doggy Dogg.

The album debuted at number one during the week of November 12, 1996 selling 478,971 copies, but it failed to match the commercial success of Doggystyle and 2Pac's album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996). 2Pac had become a friend of Snoop during 1996 and died weeks before the release of Tha Doggfather. Dr. Dre had left Death Row to his partner Suge Knight, who was indicted on racketeering charges by the end of 1996. Consequently, Snoop's second album stalled at sales of two million. It was released only one week after another Death Row release, the first posthumous album by slain Makaveli, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, which also debuted at number one. The illustration on the back cover of the CD is done by Joe Cool, the same artist who did the front cover of Doggystyle.

Release

Tha Doggfather charted at number one on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and US R&B Charts. The album has sold over two million copies in the United States and sold better internationally than its predecessor, "Doggystyle".

Music

Production

With the departure of Dr. Dre from Death Row records, the majority of this album was produced and mixed by DJ Pooh. In addition to DJ Pooh, Daz Dillinger and several other producers contributed to the album. In a 1996 interview with Rap City Snoop Dogg revealed that he had wanted to work with Dr. Dre on the album, but had been prevented from doing so by Suge Knight.

The album samples songs like "It's Like That" performed by Run-D.M.C., "Vapors" performed by Biz Markie, "More Bounce to the Ounce" performed by Zapp & Roger and "Oops Upside Your Head" performed by The Gap Band. The Doggfather also marked the debut of Snoop Dogg as a producer on the track (O.J.) Wake Up". Snoop Dogg was taught how to play keyboard by a producer named L.T. Hutton so that he could produce the track himself.[1]

Lyrics

Compared to Doggystyle, the lyrics are much less violent and controversial. On the Doggfather, Snoop Dogg wanted to present a more positive image in his lyrics, a reflection of his maturation as an artist, and as a new father. [2] On December 3, 2006, in an interview with VH1, Snoop Dogg spoke about the differences between Doggystyle and Tha Doggfather, stating, "I think Tha Doggfather was a rebirth of me, as far as me being more positive on what I was tryin' to say and you know tryin' to live the life through my music, instead of me just livin' my life, tryin' to show people that my life... wasn't like my music...I'm not gonna glorify none of this negativity that Death Row wanted me to do, I'm gonna bring a positive side of music." Although his new lyrical direction was met with mixed feelings from fans and critics alike, Snoop Dogg still thinks of the album as a success: "I enjoyed it and everywhere I go around the world people; you know I sign more Doggfather records than any other record I put out. That's the one I sign the most and I'm proud at the thang I did and the thang is... sometimes you can outgrow your fans".[3]

Reception

Critical reaction

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[5]
Muzik[6]
Los Angeles Times[7]
The New York Timesfavorable[8]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[9]
USA Today[10]

The album received generally moderate reviews from critics and fans at the time of its release. In a February issue of Spin magazine, Dr. Dre stated his feelings on the album and said "But to be perfectly honest, I don't like Snoop's new album. And it has nothing to do with me not working him, because I'm just like everybody else: I like it, or I don't. The first time I heard the single, I was grooving to it, but then I really started to get into the production and how it was sounding, you know? The first time you hear some shit, you just listen to it to get your groove on, but after that, I start breaking songs down. There's really nothing that was said on there that hasn't been said 50 times before."[11]

Entertainment Weekly praised the album stating that "Even without Dr. Dre behind the board, Snoop and his studio team concoct an intoxicating blend of old-school funk and gangsta cool", but also noted that "There's not much to love in the album's attitude toward sex, drugs, and first-degree murder." Muzik said, "...a more angular, spiky, old school-influenced vehicle for the Dogg Father to strut his matter-of-act rhymes over... you [are taken in] by the strength of the rhyming...". Melody Maker ranked it #49 on Melody Maker's list of 1996's 'Albums Of The Year'. The Los Angeles Times reported that "Snoop still is one of rap's most electrifying performers. But unlike "Doggystyle" and the "Murder Was the Case" soundtrack, few of the beats on this album rival his rapping prowess." They complimented some of the tracks, calling 'Doggfather' "... the epitome of cool smoothness. Over a slow-rolling Daz and DJ Pooh track" 'Freestyle Conversation' "...an Outkast-style exercise in which Snoop speaks a mile a minute, but still manages to maintain a funky rhythm", 'Gold Rush' a "funky pistolero track" and the Biz Markie remake 'Vapors' "the album's real gem". The review went on to conclude that "Tha Doggfather may not be Doggystyle, but Snoop shows that he has the prowess and the talent to survive.".[12]

The New York Times predicted that the album would chart in the top ten due to his presence in the music industry. They also stated that "The album has a few obligatory mentions of sexual exploits and gun-toting, usually delegated to guest rappers. But most of the raps are about his position as a hit-maker. He still has one of the most distinctive deliveries in rap: a casual, nasal, conversational tone that sounds leisurely even when he's barreling forward. His producers are a little less slick than Dr. Dre was, but they have supplied swampy bass riffs and catchy backup choruses, drawing heavily (like Dr. Dre) on George Clinton's P-Funk. Snoop Doggy Dogg insists, and Tha Doggfather does that, maintaining a party atmosphere. Yet while it insists that gangsta rap isn't dead, it plays down tough-guy tales in favor of a star's pronouncements."[13] AllMusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted that the album runs on too long at over 70 minutes and "Though it works the same G-funk territory, the bass is less elastic and there is considerably less sonic detail". But also praised the album by stating "Though the music isn't original, and the lyrics break no new territory, the execution is strong -- Snoop's rapping and rhyming continue to improve, while the bass-heavy funk is often intoxicating." He ended the review stating "...the album is a fine follow-up to one of the most successful hip-hop albums in history."[4]

Commercial reception

Before the release of the album many were questioning if the album would become lost in the turmoil and tragedy of the label. Or even to be bypassed in the rush of Tupac's posthumous album. However retailers thought differently such as Violet Brown, urban music buyer for the Wherehouse music chain. "Customer anticipation has been huge. As soon as record executives found out they were opening against Snoop [this week], they shifted the release dates of some rival rap albums to avoid the Snoop sales rush."[14] The album debuted at number one with strong first week sales of 479,000 copies, with Tupac at number two with second week sales of 250,000 (proving that Death Row still had a strong hold on the pop charts). While falling short of Doggystyle's 803,000 in the first week sold (the record at the time for a rap album), the album still was the third-highest rap debut of that year behind Shakur's "All Eyez on Me" (566,000 first-week copies) and "Killuminati" (664,000 copies), and it ranks fourth overall on the year's list of top debuts, which is headed by Metallica's "Load" (680,000 copies).[15] The album has sold over two million copies in the United States.[16]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"  0:46
2."Doggfather" (featuring Charlie Wilson)Calvin Broadus, Jr., Delmar ArnaudDat Nigga Daz3:57
3."Ride 4 Me"Broadus, Jr., Ralph Aiken, Tyrone "Flye" Crum, Keith Harrison, Robert "Raful" Neal, Jr., Roger Parker, Clarence "Satch" Satchell 1:01
4."Up Jump tha Boogie" (featuring Roger Troutman and Kurupt tha Kingpin)Broadus, Jr., Richardo Brown, Mark JordanDJ Pooh4:43
5."Freestyle Conversation"Broadus, Jr., Priest BrooksSoopafly4:17
6."When I Grow Up"Broadus, Jr. 0:37
7."Snoop Bounce" (featuring Charlie Wilson)Broadus, Jr., Jordan, Roger TroutmanDJ Pooh4:03
8."Gold Rush" (featuring Kurupt tha Kingpin and LBC Crew)Broadus, Jr., Brown, Jamarr Stamps, David Williams, Reggie Vanterpool, Ralph WheelerArkim & Flair4:52
9."(Tear 'Em Off) Me and My Doggz"Broadus, Jr., D. Williams, Lenton HuttonL.T. Hutton3:31
10."You Thought" (featuring Soopafly and Too $hort)Broadus, Jr., Brooks, Todd ShawSoopafly4:44
11."Vapors"Antonio Hardy, Marcel Hall, Marlon WilliamsDJ Pooh4:21
12."Groupie" (performed by 213 featuring Tha Dogg Pound and Charlie Wilson)Arnaud, Brown, Nathaniel HaleDat Nigga Daz5:06
13."2001" (featuring Bad Azz, Kurupt tha Kingpin and Threat)Stamps, Brown, Cory "Threat" Lloyd, JordanDJ Pooh3:50
14."Sixx Minutes"Broadus, Jr., Vanterpool, Wheeler, Douglas Davis, Ricky WalterArkim & Flair4:40
15."(O.J.) Wake Up" (featuring Tray Dee)Broadus, Jr., Tracey Davis, Hutton, Joseph Simmons, Daniel McDaniels, Lawrence SmithSnoop Doggy Dogg, L.T. Hutton4:43
16."Snoop's Upside Ya Head" (featuring Charlie Wilson)Broadus, Jr., Lonnie Simmons, Rudy Taylor, Ronnie Wilson, Charlie WilsonDJ Pooh4:30
17."Blueberry" (featuring Tha Dogg Pound and LBC Crew)Arnaud, Brown, Stamps, D. Williams, Sam AndersonSam Sneed4:15
18."Traffic Jam"Ricky Harris 0:34
19."Doggyland"Broadus, Jr., Val Young, Jordan, Alonzo Mizell, Barry Gordy, Jr., Freddy Perren, Deke RichardsDJ Pooh4:39
20."Downtown Assassins" (featuring Dat Nigga Daz and Tray Dee)Arnaud, DavisDat Nigga Daz4:22
21."Outro" (featuring Makaveli)  0:42
Leftovers
  • "Work It Out" featuring Shaquille O'Neal and Mista Grimm[17]
  • "Dogg Collar" featuring Lady "V", KV, Big Pimpin', 6'9, Twin and Bad Azz,[17] which was released on the bonus CD for Dr. Dre's The Chronic Re-Lit.
  • "Street Life" featuring Makaveli, Val Young and Prince Ital Joe[18]
  • "Just Watching" featuring 2Pac, Tha Dogg Pound and Charlie Willson
  • "Out the Moon" performed by LBC Crew featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg, Soopafly and 2Pac which is featured on Gridlock'd soundtrack.

Chart performance

Singles chart

Title Chart positions Video director
Eurochart Hot 100 UK Top 75 Australia Top 100
"Doggfather"
(featuring Charlie Wilson) 		- 36 - Joseph Kahn
"Vapors"
(featuring Charlie Wilson and Teena Marie) 		- 18 - Paul Hunter
"Snoop's Upside Ya Head"
(featuring Charlie Wilson) 		47 12 44 Darius S. Henderson

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[36] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[37] Gold 7,500^
United Kingdom (BPI)[38] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[39] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide[41] 7,500,000[40] 

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. ^ Snoop Dogg Rap City Interview (Part 2). YouTube. Retrieved 2011-10-01.
  2. ^ Snoop Dogg Rap City Interview (Part 1). YouTube. Retrieved 2011-10-01.
  3. ^ On "Tha Doggfather" by Snoop Dogg. VH1. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Snoop Dogg: Tha Doggfather at AllMusic. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  5. ^ Considine, J.D. (November 29, 1996). "Music Review: 'Tha Doggfather' (1996)". Entertainment Weekly (#355). Time. ISSN 1049-0434. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  6. ^ "'Tha Doggfather' Review". Muzik. IPC Media: 118. January 1997. ISSN 1358-541X. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  7. ^ Coker, Cheo Hodari (December 8, 1996). "Making a list? Checking it twice? Here are some guidelines to keep befuddled spouses, parents of teenagers and others on the right track". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  8. ^ Pareles, Jon (November 26, 1996). "Machismo In Rap Atop The Charts". The New York Times.
  9. ^ Nathan Brackett; Christian David Hoard (2004). The new Rolling Stone album guide. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7432-0169-8. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  10. ^ Jones, Steve (March 23, 2000). "The return of N.W.A. Album ahead after attitude adjustments, Dogg addition". USA Today. Gannett. ISSN 0734-7456.
  11. ^ "Trouble Funk". Spin: 50. February 1997. ISSN 0886-3032.
  12. ^ "Snoop Still Has Some Bite". Los Angeles Times. November 10, 1996.
  13. ^ Pareles, Jon (November 26, 1996). "Machismo In Rap Atop The Charts". The New York Times.
  14. ^ "Ready, Set . . . All Hail to the Sony Chief". Los Angeles Times. November 11, 1996.
  15. ^ Snow, Shauna (November 21, 1996). "Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation's press". Los Angeles Times.
  16. ^ "Knight Moves". Vibe. New York: InterMedia Partners: 104. October 2001. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  17. ^ a b DubCNN - Tha Doggfather cut-out track
  18. ^ "» Blog Archive » The Death Row Vaults". Djluicidal.com. 2009-10-11. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  19. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Snoop Doggy Dogg – Tha Doggfather". Hung Medien.
  20. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Snoop Doggy Dogg – Tha Doggfather" (in German). Hung Medien.
  21. ^ "Ultratop.be – Snoop Doggy Dogg – Tha Doggfather" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  22. ^ "Ultratop.be – Snoop Doggy Dogg – Tha Doggfather" (in French). Hung Medien.
  23. ^ "Snoop Doggy Dogg: Tha Doggfather" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  24. ^ "Lescharts.com – Snoop Doggy Dogg – Tha Doggfather". Hung Medien.
  25. ^ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH.
  26. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Snoop Doggy Dogg – Tha Doggfather". Hung Medien.
  27. ^ "Charts.nz – Snoop Doggy Dogg – Tha Doggfather". Hung Medien.
  28. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Snoop Doggy Dogg – Tha Doggfather" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  29. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Snoop Doggy Dogg – Tha Doggfather". Hung Medien.
  30. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Snoop Doggy Dogg – Tha Doggfather". Hung Medien.
  31. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  32. ^ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-albums-chart/19961117/115
  33. ^ "Snoop Dogg Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  34. ^ "Snoop Dogg Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  35. ^ http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/the-billboard-200
  36. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Snoop Dogg – Doggystyle". Music Canada.
  37. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Snoop Dogg – Tha Doggfather". Recorded Music NZ.
  38. ^ "British album certifications – Snoop Dogg – Tha Doggfather". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Tha Doggfather in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  39. ^ "American album certifications – Snoop Doggy Dogg – Tha Doggfather". Recording Industry Association of America.
  40. ^ http://ca.complex.com/music/2013/05/the-50-best-selling-rap-albums/snoop-dogg-doggystyle
  41. ^ UNSUPPORTED OR EMPTY REGION: Worldwide.
Preceded by Billboard 200 number-one album
November 30 - December 6, 1996 		Succeeded by
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