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R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece (2004)

Where the lyrics of R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece take you, and where it was really made.

The title promises a masterpiece, but Rolling Stone's Tom Moon wrote that the album isn't quite the rap-soul masterpiece the title suggests.

Key places

The Record Plant (2004)

Recording site Record Plant Studios — The album was recorded in several studios between November 2003 and September 2004. The Record Plant is one of the recording locations. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Larrabee Sound North (2004)

Recording site Larrabee Sound Studios — The album was recorded in several studios between November 2003 and September 2004. Larrabee Sound North is one of the recording locations. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece is the seventh studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg
• Released November 16, 2004 by Doggystyle Records, his first album on Star Trak Entertainment and Geffen Records
• Recording sessions ran from November 2003 to September 2004, spread across several recording studios
• Production was handled by The Neptunes, The Alchemist, Lil Jon, Hi-Tek, Warryn Campbell, and L.T. Hutton, among others
• Debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200 with 225,000 copies sold in its first week

Background

• November 2002: sixth studio album Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss released
• That album spawned two worldwide singles, "From tha Chuuuch to da Palace" and "Beautiful", both produced by The Neptunes
• June 2004: Snoop Dogg was announced as signed to Star Trak Entertainment, the label run by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo
• Star Trak was set to produce the upcoming seventh album and serve as its executive producers

Recording

• Sessions took place from November 2003 to September 2004
• Each of several recording studios hosted part of the sessions
• The Neptunes produced the album's lead and second singles
• Warryn Campbell produced the fourth single, "Ups & Downs"

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Career

• Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., born October 20, 1971 in Long Beach, California, known professionally as Snoop Dogg.
• American rapper, singer, record producer, record executive, songwriter and actor; a key figure in West Coast hip-hop who helped define G-funk and gangsta rap.
• Known for a signature drawled delivery and melodic flow; lyrics often address recreational drug use and gun violence.
• Rose to prominence in 1992 through collaborations with Dr. Dre on "Deep Cover" and The Chronic.
• Debut album Doggystyle (1993), produced by Dr. Dre, debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 806,000 copies sold in its first week; certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA.
• Signed with Master P's No Limit Records in 1998; albums Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told, No Limit Top Dogg and Tha Last Meal followed.
• R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece (2004) produced "Drop It Like It's Hot" (featuring Pharrell), his first Billboard Hot 100 number one.
• Adopted the alias Snoop Lion for reggae album Reincarnated (2013); later albums include Bush (2015) and gospel album Bible of Love (2018).
• Acquired Death Row Records from MNRK Music Group in 2022.
• Has sold over 35 million records worldwide; co-headlined the Super Bowl LVI halftime show in 2022.
• Also active as an actor, business figure and coach on The Voice.

Reception

At release

• Uncut rated the album 3 stars out of 5, saying Snoop still manages some earthy funk with a large guest list
• Tom Moon of Rolling Stone wrote that the album isn't quite the worlds-coming-together rap-soul masterpiece its title promises
• Rolling Stone praised the top-shelf producers for giving Snoop some of the most radio-ready backing of his career
• Tom Breihan of Pitchfork called this Snoop's first album for Star Trak, the label run by The Neptunes
• Pitchfork said the production duo laced five songs, but their sound appears across the rest of the album too
• Pitchfork described a unified sound, based on tinkly pianos, noodly guitars, and windchimes

Reappraisal

• Metacritic average of 63, which indicates generally favorable reviews
• Overall critical reception was generally positive at release

Records

• US Billboard 200 debut: number six, 225,000 copies in the first week
• Second week: fell to number nine, selling 203,000 copies, for a two-week total of 428,000 units
• As of March 2008, sales reached 1,724,000 copies in the United States
• Lead single "Drop It Like It's Hot" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, Snoop's first US number one single
• "Drop It Like It's Hot" reached the top ten in 12 countries
• "Signs" reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and number one in Australia for two weeks

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The Neptunes' sound on the lead single was minimal: tongue clicks, keyboards, and a drum machine beat
• "Drop It Like It's Hot" was nominated at the 2005 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, losing both to "Jesus Walks" and "Let's Get It Started"
• Keyshia Cole, who had not garnered a reputation at that time, was left uncredited on "Let's Get Blown"
• "Signs" featuring Justin Timberlake and Charlie Wilson was a bigger hit in Australia than in the US, reaching number 46 on the Hot 100
• "Ups & Downs" interpolates the Bee Gees' 1979 hit "Love You Inside Out"

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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