How Snoop Dogg Has Managed To Stay Relevant In LA’s Rap Scene  – NoHo Arts District

When you think of famous rappers, the first person to spring to mind is probably none other than Snoop Dogg. Since 1992, Snoop Dogg has been a notable name in the rap/hip-hop game. However, with so many young and gifted rappers emerging in the LA rap scene, how has Snoop managed to stay at the top of his game for decades? We explore how Snoop Dogg has managed to stay relevant in LA’s rap scene since its inception. 

A Different Time

First of all, it could be argued that gaining fame and momentum back in the early 90s was more straightforward than it is now. For example, nowadays, self-releasing music is becoming increasingly common and competitive. Therefore, it’s important to have a well-planned campaign to see success in this lucrative industry.

Consider, for instance, Snoop Dogg’s first song ‘It’s Like That’ was released and distributed locally in Long Beach California in 1991 as a single mixtape. After the success of ‘It’s Like That,’ Snoop Dogg continued to gain attention and recognition in the West Coast rap scene, leading to him eventually being discovered by Dr. Dre.

Dre then invited Snoop to contribute to his debut solo album, featuring on the track ‘Nuthin’ But A G Thang.’ The track went on to be a massive hit, launching Snoop’s career and establishing him as a prominent figure in the LA rap scene. Perhaps Snoop’s popularity and relevance could be due to a mere matter of the right place at the right time. Given the level of competition and abundance of exceptional talent in today’s rap industry, who’s to say Snoop would thrive just as well now as he did back then?

A Raw Talent

However, what nobody can argue with, is the raw talent of Snoop. One of the things that people love about Snoop’s voice is his smooth and distinctive flow. He has a relaxed, laid-back delivery that contrasts with his hard-hitting lyrics. You can almost instantaneously pick out his voice from a track compared to other rappers. ​​

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He Rolls With The Times

Furthermore, the genres of rap and hip-hop have evolved in the last thirty years, and artists that haven’t been able to keep up with the times quickly lose their relevance. Snoop, on the other hand, has consistently released music in line with the current cultural climate to resonate with fans, old and new. 

As trends have changed in music, Snoop has been able to reinvent himself whilst still maintaining his unique style and sound. Consider Snoop’s presence on the track ‘California Gurls’ with Katy Perry: this offering helped to bridge the gap between mainstream pop and hip-hop audiences. Although hip-hop has always been influential, the pop element of this song helped Snoop to resonate with a different kind of audience, helping him to stay relevant not just on the hip-hop and rap scene but also across the pop music scene.

Still to this day, Snoop experiments with different styles and sounds as he’s constantly striving to develop his skills as a performer and remain relevant.

The Top Dogg Of LA’s Rap Scene

Overall, there’s no denying that Snoop Dogg is a true icon on the LA rap scene. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a rapper, songwriter, and performer of unparalleled skill and creativity. 

Despite the ever-changing landscape of the music industry and the constant influx of new talent, Snoop has managed to stay relevant by continually reinventing himself and adapting to recent trends in the LA music scene. In short, Snoop Dogg is a true force to be reckoned with, and he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.