Snoop Dogg – Bush

If people listening to Doggystyle back in the 90s were asked to describe Snoop’s future, it’s unlikely that their answer would have resembled the reality all that closely, particularly given his legal issues at the time.

Now, however, it’d come as much less of a surprise to learn that the former rapper from the Dogg Pound, whose career at this stage has spanned gangster rap, hip-hop, porn production, movie cameos, reggae, pop and recently even Money Supermarket, has decided to add funk to his ever increasing list of credits. With the assistance of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo’s production, Bush is now Snoop’s 13^th album. While it’s certainly easy on the ear, unfortunately it isn’t likely to go down as one of his best.

Featuring the likes of Stevie Wonder, Charlie Wilson and a slightly out of place Rick Ross, Snoop’s latest work strangely includes very little of his familiar vocal flow. Favouring a more soulful singing style, aided by a few well-placed audio effects, there really isn’t a huge amount that would clue you in to who you’re actually listening to. Given the artists involved, it’s no surprise that there’s a different feel compared to Snoop’s earlier work and the production is nothing if not slick. But while there are some standout tracks, Peaches and Cream and California Roll for example, several sound so similar that you begin to wonder how much trouble Williams and Hugo went to in producing it. In fairness, Snoop’s desire was to create a cohesive blend of tracks, so in that sense it works, but it does come off a little monotonous in places. It’s a sound that will play well through the speakers of a relaxed bar or party, but it lacks the variety that would have people playing the album through at home.

Bush is not bad by any means, but beyond the laid-back, west coast vibe synonymous with Snoop’s music and character, it’s lacking in much of the charisma he’s known for. There are a few typically amusing lyrical touches, but many of the tracks feel like they need a little more punch and a lot more D O double G than they’ve been afforded, even for non-hip-hop. Funk fans or just people looking for a relaxing sound will appreciate Bush, but Dogg Pound and general hip-hop enthusiasts beware, Tha Shiznit this isn’t.

Tom Halbert

Bush was released on 12^th May 2015, for further information or to order the album visit here.

Watch the video for Peaches and Cream here: