It was at the wheel of a magnificent retro Chevrolet convertible that Snoop Dogg entered the stage a little before 9 p.m. on Sunday evening. Sealed lips, flanked by four dancers – two on the ground, two on poles – and dressed in a maple leaf tracksuit, the veteran rapper wasted no time before hitting a string of hits.
More than 30 years of career, barely fewer studio albums, countless collaborations and just as many memorable choruses. Snoop Dogg’s bag of songs is one of the deepest of any rapper still active. Interspersed with a drawn-out performance by Tha Dogg Pound, he unleashed his most cherished pieces and some surprises for more than 90 minutes.
After Halifax and Quebec, the Canadian tour of Snoop Dogg and his Angeline friends – courtesy of Los Angeles residents – made a stop in Montreal, before continuing on to eight other cities. G-Funk fans made sure to fill the Bell Center for the occasion. The floor was filled with chairs. They were of very little use.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Snoop Dogg entered the stage behind the wheel of a retro Chevrolet convertible.
Start the show with The Next Episode And Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang was a good way to ensure this. After a succession of short extracts from slightly less dizzying hits and a surprise appearance from The Lady of Rage, who returned later, Snoop recited Lodi Dodi in a superb way. Clear words, limpid delivery; his homage to Slick Rick remains impeccable. I Wanna Love Youwritten with Akon, Beautifuldesigned with Pharrell, and Sexual Eruption then made the crowd dance and sing.
After a resumption of Jump Around And Still DREthe Doggfather gave way to Tha Dogg Pound, who has just launched the album WAWG. Made up of Daz Dillinger and Kurupt, the duo complements each other as well as ever. Despite the excess smoke, their voices are those of their old recordings. These and their more recent pieces, however, seemed less known to the crowd which lost its enthusiasm.
Snoop returned triumphant, a sweater of former Canadian Chris Nilan on his back, intoned Drop It Like It’s Hot and the party resumed. Daz and Kurupt stayed close for Ain’t No Fun And Serial Killa. The change of tone took place with California Gurls, which the Long Beach MC composed with Katy Perry. Followed PIMPanother song with Tha Dogg Pound, this time new, Hypnotizein honor of Biggie, and 2 of Americaz Most Wantedin memory of 2Pac.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Rapper Snoop Dogg on stage at the Bell Center, Sunday evening
As he noted, it was at the end of the run that Snoop finally asked the spectators What’s My Name? They responded in unison: “Snooop Doggyyyyy Dooooogg.” The anthem with 1.4 billion plays on Spotify Young, Wild & Free was also shouted at the top of his lungs.
The reminder, Gin and Juicewas not long in coming and the crowd left happy that this other artist with canine connotations had not canceled his concert like the one the day before.
Seasoned first parties
DJ Quik, a brilliant MC and producer who will never get enough recognition, opened the show at 7:25 p.m. His performance was nothing to write home about, but if you’re looking for thumping bass and a flow fluid to color your summer, immerse yourself in his vast discography which is also more than 30 years old.
“Regulator” Warren G followed with greater aplomb. A founding member of 213, Snoop’s first group, the rapper still masters his bouncy flow. The duo The Twinz then a karaoke of earworms from the late Nate Dogg supported him for a moment before he served his timeless success, Regulateas a goodbye.