LIVE: Snoop Dogg @ Northern Lights, 5/28/11

On stage, Snoop Dogg is still at the top of his game nearly two decades after the release of his debut album “Doggy Style,” a milestone alongside classic releases by Ice-T, N.W.A., Public Enemy, and others in the ‘gangsta-rap’ subgenre of hip hop music.

Most of the suburban teens and twenty-somethings packed tight against the stage barricade in Northern Lights for the show had very little in common with gangsta-rap’s inner-city themes of racism, drive-by shootings, crime, drug dealing, street gangs, etc.

But no matter.

They were solely there to see and hear Snoop Dogg, the American cultural icon and music superstar. And to his credit Snoop put on a real show, complete with a live band of musicians (playing instruments!), a perfect needle-dropping DJ, several sexy, energetic dancers and two back-up rappers, Daz Dillinger and Kurupt.

Was it worth it?

After two-and-a-half hours of opening acts from regional rappers, the anticipation for the headliner was heightened by an almost hour-long wait before Snoop and his posse of bodyguards took the stage to dish up a 75-minute set of prime rap filled with fan favorites, selections from his newest outing “Doggumentary” and a tribute segment to the late greats – Tupac, Notorious B.I.G. and Nate Dogg.

Sure, it was worth it. Hip hop is a major international music phenomenon, and Snoop Dogg is unquestionably still one of hip-hop’s greatest live performers. A real treat.

Review and photographs by Andrzej Pilarczyk

SECOND OPINIONS:
Taylor Morris’ review at Metroland