Snoop Dog Drops the Rhymes

© Steve Yursik

In the thick of things at Snoop Dogg's Lollapalooza performance.

On Friday afternoon at Lollapalooza, Asher Roth took to the stage and announced that weed was legal at the festival. Blunts and joints were duly waved in the air, and there was not a security guard or cop in sight. Sunday afternoon, shortly before Snoop Dogg took the stage, event staff members snaked through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. We watched in amazement as a staffer made some guy put out his joint. The attitude toward smoking could only have been described as laissez-faire throughout the entire festival. Why wait for Snoop Dogg?

No matter – the second Snoop took the stage he encouraged the audience to toke. "Lollapalooza, if you got some m*fing weed, light that s*it up." The fans didn't even question the mixed message Tha Doggfather was sending. Lighters sparked, then fumes rose low and thick into the muggy summer sky. It was about to get crunk in Chicago.

Snoop, the OG

In his 17-year career, Snoop has had many looks. Sunday's look can best be described as septuagenarian Huggy Bear pimp going to the grocery store. Clad in an orange Lakers tee and sheer black do-rag, Snoop commenced to C-walkin' and trash talkin'. His set started out as a treat for old school fans, kicking into "Gin and Juice" and inspiring a rap-along the size of which many have never seen before. The crowd for Snoop was absolutely epic - an ocean of sun bronzed hands waved in the air. In homage to his younger days, Snoop brought out a special guest. The Lady of Rage made an appearance and proved that she can still "rock rough and stuff" with her "Afro Puffs." The set was even tinged with sadness as Snoop led a singalong to "Hail Mary." Everyone was encouraged to show love for the late great Tupac Shakur, who surely was smiling down on us all as Snoop performed his half of "Gangsta Party."

Deep Covers

After the Tupac dedication, Snoop surprised everyone with an old school gem. From the moment the horns blared, fans instantly recognized House of Pain's "Jump Around." The crowd went buckwild as he spit the familiar lyrics, then segued into the looped bassline of "Drop It Like It's Hot." Tupac? House of Pain? Lady of Rage? Fans were geared up for more surprises. But anyone hoping for a Beastie Boys shoutout or cover song left disappointed. Snoop was the king of call-and-response and led the crowd to wave, bounce, and curse alongside him. But then his set fizzled out with an extended crowd singalong of "na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey – Snoop Dogg." WTF? It was a weak ending to a performance that was mostly enjoyable and inspired.