“Money. Power. Respect.” Three words that helped shape hip-hop and three pillars that continue to define the legacy of Snoop Dogg. As he releases his 21st studio album, ‘Iz It a Crime?’, the West Coast veteran isn’t seeking relevance; he’s asserting permanence. From calling out former allies like Suge Knight to centring his wife on the album cover, from nodding to younger artists and reflecting on the symbolism of carrying the Olympic torch, this record feels less like a comeback and more like a statement, one shaped by time, influence, and self-determination.
Few artists in hip-hop have demonstrated the longevity or adaptability of Snoop Dogg. Over three decades, he has navigated eras, trends, and controversies while remaining unmistakably himself. In 2024, he continues on that course with ‘Iz It a Crime?’, a surprise release delivered without a rollout – a bold, 21-track collection that blends soul samples, street wisdom, and legacy-driven lyricism. It is both forward-facing and deeply rooted in Black musical traditions.
Released through the revived Death Row Records and gamma, the album is more than a creative exercise it’s a reclamation. Of story. Of respect. Of the foundations that built him. Guest appearances from Pharrell, Wiz Khalifa, LaRussell, and Sexyy Red further illustrate Snoop’s enduring ability to bridge generations, engaging the culture without pandering to it.
Beyond the music, Snoop’s evolution remains striking. From reshaping the business of rap to serving as a global peace ambassador, his influence extends far beyond the booth. In this exclusive Clash interview, we spoke over Zoom, your girl Mimi in London, Snoop in Los Angeles to discuss the weight of his legacy, the discipline of love, and what it means to remain one of the most recognisable figures in hip-hop, 30 years deep.
Mimi (CLASH): Money. Power. Respect. That’s how you opened the album three words that built hip-hop and built you. Would you say you’ve had all three at the same time? And if not, can you pinpoint the years where you had money, then power, then respect and when you finally felt like you had all three?
Snoop Dogg: I had the money after No Limit, around ‘97 to ‘99. I got the power when I bought Death Row Records. And I earned the respect when I started putting together football programs for the community, especially for kids with special needs. That’s the real impact. That outlives fame and fortune.
Mimi: Why did you call the album ‘Iz It A Crime?’
Snoop: Because I was getting scrutinised heavy. Folks online throwing stones, trying to cancel me after I did the Crypto Bowl. But it felt like bots, not real people. Instead of clapping back online, I made a record. Music is my therapy. This album became my space to open up, to tell stories people didn’t know. Not just Snoop the icon, but Snoop the man.
Mimi: The samples throughout this album felt like I was chillin’ in my uncle’s house, Sade, Marvin Gaye, Aaliyah, George Clinton, The fatback band, Zapp, Earth, Wind & Fire and, even your own with Dr Dre. It’s like you built a sonic scrapbook rooted in Black music history. Hip-hop’s always had a deep relationship with sampling, but it often doesn’t get the respect it deserves. So were you directing the producers on what to sample?
Snoop: Nah, it’s energy. We just vibe. The right beat walks in the room, and we know. You feel it before you hear it. The producers, Battlecat, Rick Rock, Nottz… they know me. They know what I like, and they gave me what I needed. This project felt spiritual. That’s exactly the vibe. We were digging into the roots. The producers brought magic, and we moved off energy. If it felt good, we knew it was right. That’s the beauty of the process, pure and soulful.
Mimi: Favourite track on the album?
Snoop: ‘Can’t Get Enough’ with Jane Handcock. I told her I didn’t have a record with her yet, and she sent me that one. Just her vocals. I asked, “Where do I fit in?” She said, “First verse is yours.” I did my thing, and now it’s one of my most personal records dedicated to my wife.
Mimi: The album cover. Your wife is front and centre. Why was that important to you?
Snoop: She’s been by my side for 30 years, why wouldn’t she be on the front? That’s real king and queen energy. I didn’t want to hide her, I wanted her to stand with me. That cover represents Black love, loyalty, and partnership. We inspire couples because we stayed together.
Mimi: You came out swinging on this project, direct shots at Suge Knight, with bars like “Now you in PC snitching on the phone.” What made you air that out now, after all these years?
Snoop: Enough was enough. Man been in jail talking wild on podcasts. Because I’ve been quiet long enough. Man has been talkin’ about me on podcasts, spreading lies. And I’m like, yo, I’m doing good things, family, business, football leagues And you still throwing dirt on my name? So I slapped him lyrically. I had fun with it. Sometimes you gotta check folks, respectfully… or disrespectfully. So yeah, I checked him on wax. I had fun with it, but it was overdue. [laughs].
Mimi: You bridged eras on this album, Sexyy Red, LaRussell, Pharrell, Wiz. What was the unfiltered strategy behind those link-ups, So many generations. What was your intention?
Snoop: I respect the youth. When I came up, the OG’s didn’t always get me. I don’t wanna be that guy. That’s why they call me Unc. I listen, I support, I learn. Whether it’s Pharrell or Sexyy Red, we’re all adding to the culture.
Mimi: How are you seeing the state of hip-hop especially with the West Coast giving us so many new artists, how are you feeling about the new talent emerging?
Snoop: I love it. We’re finally being respected for our pen, our production, our vision. Before, we had to take respect. Now it’s given, because we earned it.
Mimi: You mentioned during your interview on Breakfast Club, “A big dawg can get checked if it’s by the right person.” And you haven’t spoken to Kendrick since he checked you on ‘Wacced Out Murals’, but still called him family. What does that moment really say about accountability between OG’s and the younger generation? Do you think more legends need to swallow ego like that or was this a one-time thing?
Snoop: If you’re an OG, act like one. Ego can’t run you. I respect what he did, and I show love regardless. Real OG’s protect, lead, and listen. That’s me. They move with intention. I show love. That’s why they call me Unc, I lead, I protect, I guide. That’s what real OG’s do.
Mimi: Let’s talk about retirement. After all these decades, what would it actually take for Snoop to say “I’m done”?
Snoop: Retirement? I don’t even know what that looks like. I love what I do.
Mimi: What does retirement look like for Snoop Dogg?
Snoop: I don’t know! [laughs] Maybe Bora Bora. But even then, I’m checking my phone. I love this too much. Unless my kids take over the business fully, I’m locked in.
Mimi: How’s business going as well? Business is booming.
Snoop: Yeah. We are moving. Like, I say, you got Gin and Juice on our new product, me and Dre put out that we’re trying to get cracking over there. And then you got Death Row Records with many different divisions. You got my biopic that we are working on. You got so many different facets of business that I do that is starting to become a family business. Now my kids are starting to get involved, and they’re starting to learn the business, and that may prompt me to retire, if somebody in the family can run this thing like I do.
Mimi: And what will the next project sound like?
Snoop: I have done reggae, gospel, just every genre you can imagine. But I think it’s something that I need to tap into. I don’t know yet, but it’s always like, I catch a buzz when I feel like it’s something that’s missing. I don’t ever want to make anything that’s out. I want to make something that’s not out. See when I come out. I want to sound like only me, like it’s a distinction between me and everybody else, and I’m only gonna pick moments when I need to be out when you haven’t heard my voice in a minute. And I’m never gonna give you too much to where you tired of hearing me.
Mimi: You did the Olympics, that was such a huge moment. Honestly, I don’t think you get enough credit for being that rapper like, everyone across generations and walks of life knows who Snoop Dogg is. But did you ever imagine you’d be holding the Olympic torch in Paris?
Snoop Dogg: Never. And what meant the most, Mimi, is that they chose me not just for fame, but because I’m a peace messenger. That torch symbolises more than just a moment. Everyone who carries it is tasked with spreading peace. When they gave it to me, they explained its meaning, its weight. I took that seriously. Because I know where I come from. I was that little kid in the hood who never dreamed of being in the Olympics. And now here I am, holding that torch. That’s the purpose. That’s proof that no matter where you start, you can still become something powerful and inspire the next kid coming up.
Mimi: That’s beautiful. Let’s talk about London, what is it about the city that you love so much?
Snoop Dogg: Man, I love y’all. From the first time I came out there, I felt the energy. The culture. Y’all don’t try to be like anybody else, you’ve got your own thing, and I respect that. And real talk, as a kid I was obsessed with Benny Hill. I don’t even know if you know about him, but he was this wild British comedian we’d watch late at night in the States, crazy dude. That was my first taste of the UK flavour.
And the way y’all talk? Fire. I love the accent, the swag, the gangster movies. Y’all always had hard gangster flicks, real gritty, real raw. Then there’s the fashion too, sophisticated, sharp, like executives with flavour. Visiting the UK is like stepping into a dream. Even seeing the Queen’s guards outside Buckingham Palace? Iconic. And you know I loved the Queen, she loved me back! That was a royal connection for real.
Snoop: Keep up the great work, baby girl, keep up the great work. Keep shining. Keep representing the chocolate. Girls, my daughter is chocolate, so I gotta thank y’all. You understand what I’m saying. So keep repping for the chocolate. Girls, stand up on it. You hear!
Mimi: Thank you uncle.
Mimi: And me? A freestyle?
Snoop: “Mimi, Mimi / You, you, hee-hee / Snoop Dogg and Mimi / And we gon’ smoke some wee-wee!”[laughs]
Mimi: Legend.
‘Iz It a Crime?’ is streaming on all platforms now HERE.
Tune in to Snoop Dogg’s ‘Iz It a Crime’ Official Movie now..
Words: Mimi The Music Blogger
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