Throughout each song on "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment" Snoop takes it back to the basics, back to the hood, showcasing the original gangsta sound that made this Long Beach rapper a household name when he made his debut in 1992 on Dr Dre's hit song "Deep Cover" and on the classic album "The Chronic".
After releasing a string of hit singles on his last effort that carried a more commercial sound, such as the number one mega-hit "Drop It Like It's Hot" featuring Pharrell, the rapper decided to bring back "Snoop Dogg" the O.G.
"Tha Blue Carpet Treatment" includes Dr Dre, Timbaland, Rick Rock and Pharrell among others, along with guest appearances by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Ice Cube, The Game, Brandy, R Kelly and MC Eight.
The premiere single produced by Pharrell titled "Vato" and featuring B Real from Cypress Hill, is a gritty street record that tells an everyday story from the rough LA streets that only the Dogg himself can tell. The video for the single, which was directed by Phillip Atwell, plays like a short cinematic film with an important underlying message: the need for Black and Brown(Latino) unity, especially in the wake of violence in recent months in Los Angeles.
This is not the star's first attempt to bring forth social awareness to important issues. Last year he held a peace summit dubbed "Protect the West" to end feuds between rap artists from the West Coast. Snoop also participated in rallies to save Stanley "Tookie" Williams, an ex-gang member on death row who spearheaded the truce between the "Bloods" and "Crips".