Spoiler free album review – West coast hip-hop legend Dr. Dre embraces fun and rhythm alongside his longtime collaborator.
Snoop Dogg is upside our heads again, but this time it’s a Dr. Dre album, too. The rapper’s collaborative project Missionary has been in full promotion mode since the drop of their debut single, Gorgeous.
The two followed it up with Outta Da Blue and Another Part of Me, featuring Sting, two bangers that instantly hit and grow on the listener.
The album was promoted on several fronts, including the trickle release of its three singles without music videos. However, the duo revealed a comedic trailer modelled after a buddy partnership action movie.
What You Need To Know
It has has been anticipated for some time, with the two artists insisting on a collaboration. Both Broadus and Young have consistently made persuasive, high-quality music together, as evident during Doggy Dogg’s dry period at No Limit Records, until they reunited for songs like Buck ‘Em and B**ch Please.
The project consists of 16 tracks and is released on Snoop’s newly acquired Death Row Records and Dre’s Aftermath. The parent company, Interscope, will distribute the forty-six-minute long play.
Missionary also features appearances from Jhené Aiko, Eminem, Method Man, Sting, Jelly Roll, and Alus.
What It Sounds Like
The G-Funk sound gets a long overdue upgrade, and there is no doubt in my mind that Snoop is a pioneer of the subgenre. Over the years, the rapper has approached music with austerity, but on this new album, he has undoutedly upped his game through a fresh challenge.
While retaining the same mellow vocals he is renowned for, Broadus manages to compete with his peak form by adapting to a noticeble shift in Dre’s production.
Moving from sonic hues of dark, dramatic undertones to an upbeat manifesto of contemporary work has reinvigorated the two rappers. Their embrace of a catalogue that demonstrates a vivid transition in sound and vocalisation is unmistakable.
Verdict
From the cover art to the content, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have really gone to town on Missionary, cutting a clear hole through a veil of saturation to balance a sound that perhaps lost its way.
Streaming has negatively impacted song durations, rushed projects, and stained creativity to the point that fun is no longer an option. But this album drags us back to a place where we can nod our heads and smile a little.
However, the production may sound dated for fans seeking something new. From a commercial standpoint, it hits the spot, but hip-hop fans might want to look elsewhere. Conversations of a profound nature won’t be found here, but if fun is your game, please do enter.
Where To Hear and Buy Vinyl Copies
You can listen to Missionary on your favourite streaming service, including Spotify and Apple Music. Amazon is currently selling vinyl copies and CDs for £34.99 (as of today).
Stanisland Magazine 
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.