A Star-Studded Reunion with High Hopes
"Gunz N Smoke," featuring Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Eminem from the Missionary album, arrived with a palpable sense of anticipation. The track itself samples The Notorious B.I.G.’s Dead Wrong which was posthumously released with an Eminem feature. The very idea of these three titans of hip-hop collaborating sparked excitement, promising a potent blend of styles. The track aimed to recapture the laid-back vibes of classic G-funk, and while it doesn't fully achieve that goal, it offers glimpses of what could have been. The production is undeniably polished, providing a smooth backdrop for the artists to showcase their skills.
Individual Brilliance on Display
Snoop Dogg delivers his signature smooth flow, instantly recognizable and comforting. While his lyrics may not break new ground, they provide a familiar and enjoyable listening experience for longtime fans. 50 Cent contributes his distinctive cadence, adding a touch of his characteristic edge to the track. While some might find his verse less impactful than his earlier work, it still provides a solid contribution to the overall sound. The inclusion of Eminem, a lyrical powerhouse, was undoubtedly a major draw, and while his rapid-fire delivery might not perfectly align with the G-funk vibe, it showcases his undeniable technical prowess.
A Bold Experiment in Collaboration
The collaboration itself is a testament to the artists' willingness to experiment and bridge different eras of hip-hop. While the blend of styles might not be seamless, it's an interesting experiment that offers moments of brilliance. The track highlights the individual strengths of each artist, even if they don't fully coalesce into a cohesive whole. There's a sense of camaraderie present, suggesting a genuine desire to create something special.
The Potential for Future Greatness
Perhaps the biggest strength of "Gunz N Smoke" lies in its potential. The core elements are there: a polished beat, three iconic voices, and a nostalgic concept. While the track doesn't fully realize its potential, it provides a foundation for future collaborations. It's a reminder of the magic that can happen when different styles collide, even if the results are not always perfect. This track serves as an interesting snapshot of where these artists are in their careers, offering a glimpse into their evolving sounds.
A Worthwhile Addition to the Missionary Legacy
"Gunz N Smoke" is a compelling listen that showcases the individual talents of Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Eminem. While it may not fully achieve the hoped-for G-funk revival, it offers a polished and enjoyable experience. The track's strength lies in its potential, hinting at the possibility of future collaborations that could fully realize the promise of this star-studded lineup. It's a worthwhile addition to the Missionary album, offering fans a taste of what these hip-hop legends can achieve together.
Listen to Snoop Dogg Gunz N Smoke
Snoop Dogg Gunz N Smoke Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of "Gunz N Smoke" by Snoop Dogg, featuring 50 Cent and Eminem, is multifaceted, operating on both a surface level of West Coast hip-hop aesthetics and a deeper level of individual artistic expression. While the title might suggest a focus on violence and drug use, the song primarily functions as a celebration of G-funk's legacy and a showcase for three distinct voices in rap. It's a collision of styles and eras, with each artist contributing their signature elements: Snoop bringing the laid-back vibes of classic West Coast hip-hop, 50 Cent asserting his street credibility and dominance, and Eminem injecting his complex wordplay and the controversial Slim Shady persona. The track, therefore, becomes less about literal "gunz and smoke" and more about the metaphorical impact and enduring influence of these artists within the hip-hop landscape.
A Nostalgic Return to the West Coast Sound
"Gunz N Smoke" arrives with the weight of expectation, bringing together three distinct voices in hip-hop: Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Eminem. The track's initial aim is clear, signaled by Snoop Dogg's opening lines: "West Coast, G-funk, yeah, we back in this bitch." This immediately establishes the intended sonic landscape, harking back to Snoop's roots and the golden era of G-funk. This nostalgic journey is further enriched by lyrical references that evoke classic West Coast imagery. Snoop's "Rendezvous with a Pac or two" is a clever double entendre, referencing the iconic Tupac Shakur (2Pac) while also suggesting a casual meeting or encounter. The vivid imagery continues with "Cruisin' down Crenshaw in a '64," referencing the famous Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles, a street deeply ingrained in West Coast hip-hop culture, and pairing it with the classic '64 Impala, a car synonymous with the era. The description of "Lowriders bounce, hydraulics hit the floor" further paints this picture, showcasing the lowrider car culture that was and remains a significant part of West Coast identity. The line "Smoke in the air, yeah, that's the aroma" is a direct reference to marijuana use, a recurring theme in Snoop's music and a common element within G-funk's lyrical content. The pointed reference to "Nigga with a attitude" is a clear nod to N.W.A., a pioneering group in West Coast hip-hop, further solidifying the song's regional roots. Finally, Snoop's acknowledgment of "Dr. Dre on the track, you know it's a classic" serves as a tribute to the album's executive producer, Dr. Dre, a pivotal figure in the development and popularization of G-funk.
50 Cent's Assertion of Power and Presence
50 Cent's contribution shifts the focus somewhat, centering on themes of wealth, power, and established street credibility. Compared to Snoop's and Eminem's verses, 50's contribution contains fewer direct references or intricate wordplay. His lyrics primarily revolve around familiar tropes: displays of wealth through mentions of money and luxury items, descriptions of powerful positions within a street hierarchy, and interactions with women, all consistent with his long-established persona. There's a palpable sense of him asserting his continued presence and influence in the rap game, a recurring theme throughout his discography. While his verse adds to the song's overall texture and maintains a certain level of energy, it lacks the same density of cultural referencing or lyrical complexity as the other two artists.
Eminem's Lyrical Complexity and the Return of Slim Shady
Eminem's verse marks a significant shift in lyrical style and content, injecting a dose of his signature wordplay and complex rhyme schemes. His opening lines, "Comin' up? So like that syrup, they canceled / I'ma say, "Fuck you and your momma," then blame my rap persona (Gun smoke, Gun smoke)," are laden with meaning. The "syrup" is a direct reference to Aunt Jemima's syrup, an oronym for "[fuck you] and your momma," which underwent rebranding to Pearl Milling Company in 2021 due to its problematic racial stereotypes. This line also connects to a recurring theme in Eminem's work: attributing controversial or offensive lyrics to his alter-ego, Slim Shady, a practice he also employed in his 2020 track "Zeus," where he compared himself to the Aunt Jemima brand in the context of cancel culture. The theme of media scrutiny and public perception is further explored in the lines, "But I'll be damned if the same reporter's gonna shove another tape recorder / And camera in my face while I am at the Burger King / Just to grab my lil' baby daughter a hamburger like Shady oughta be amicable." This is a direct callback to his intensely personal lyrics in "The Way I Am" from The Marshall Mathers LP, where he voiced his frustration with invasive media attention, particularly when it involved his daughter, Hailie. The verse then takes a more aggressive turn with "Fuck around and buck these hoes, ain't talkin' no luxury clothes / Two nines I tuck, see those? / Like Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, try and duck deez, yo," fully embracing the Slim Shady persona. "Two nines" is likely a reference to two 9mm handguns, a common symbol of violence in rap lyrics. The "Rock & Roll Hall of Famers" line serves as a self-referential boast about his own induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, implying that other artists should "duck" him either out of respect for his achievements or out of fear of his lyrical prowess. The concluding lines of his verse, "Hey, what the fuck you want? / Didn't I just see you yesterday? / Fuck outta here, fuck it, bitch," maintain this confrontational and aggressive posture, reinforcing the chaotic nature of the Slim Shady character.
A Disjointed but Lyrically Rich Collaboration
"Gunz N Smoke" functions on multiple levels, aiming to be more than just a simple track about violence or drugs, despite its title. The song functions as a celebration of West Coast hip-hop heritage while simultaneously showcasing the distinct styles of each featured artist. Snoop Dogg embodies the G-funk nostalgia, 50 Cent contributes his characteristic street persona, and Eminem delivers his signature blend of complex wordplay and the controversial Slim Shady character. While the song's primary weakness lies in a lack of a strong, unifying theme, making it feel somewhat disjointed, the wealth of references and wordplay, particularly within Snoop and Eminem's verses, provides ample material for listeners to dissect and appreciate.
Snoop Dogg Gunz N Smoke Lyrics
[Intro: 50 Cent & The Notorious B.I.G.]
Come, let me show you the ropes
Chucks come with the LOCs
Drums come with the dope
Guns come with the smoke, bang
I just want the paper
I just want the paper
Gun smoke, Gun smoke
[Verse 1: 50 Cent & The Notorious B.I.G.]
They say he a big stepper
I'm just sayin' I am not the type to get stepped on
I ain't got a big weapon
Glock 17 with the switch, but the clip long
I ain't finna play wit' you
Boy, you fuck around, I'ma have to catch a fade wit' you
Get the blick in broad day wit' you
Have the lil' homies run down while bae wit' you (Gunsmoke, gunsmoke)
Little man, dope party
Got him out the night, but the nigga got four bodies
Who want smoke? Nobody
Goin' once, goin' twice, don't want to smoke nobody
Tell me what you know 'bout it
Strapped right now, nigga, how you want go 'bout it?
I'm not the one you lean on
The type you wanna try apply pressure to and scheme on
Pussy nigga, dream on
Run, nigga, run 'til I have to click the beam on
Red dot ya, I got ya, B-I-G time (Woo), who shot ya?
I dropped ya, who popped ya? Shit lit
Soon as I spot ya, ooh-wee
Why would you be fuckin' with me? (Gun smoke, gun smoke)
[Verse 2: Snoop Dogg & The Notorious B.I.G.]
Let's take a second here for this moment of violence
You smell it in the air, product of my environment
I come from freestylin' over gunshots and sirens
Nothing more gangster than my voice over these violins
Get down, lay down, it's the wolf of the Dogg Pound, yeah
Playground, shakedown, Autobahn, no brakes now
Skinny nigga back pushin' weight now
New Death Row on the plate now
More details, please do tell
What's that smell, nigga? (Gun smoke, Gun smoke)
Shit, you would too, if you knew
What a young nigga had to do
Rendezvous with a Pac or two
Rock shit up like Mötley Crüe
In this fight, you gotta stick and move
All my life, I had to show and prove
Still a nigga with a attitude
If you ain't gangster, this is not for you
Yeah, bullet holes in the palm trees (Palm trees)
Dirty money in the laundry (Laundry)
Ten toes in the concrete (Concrete)
Niggas know where to find me (Find)
I got a long reach, this Long Beach, but we don't speak
And you saw what happened to the last nigga
That tried to fuck with my proceeds (Gun smoke)
[Verse 3: Eminem & The Notorious B.I.G.]
I remember when I was thirteen
Searchin' for how to get my revenge on the world that hurt me
Thirsty for commas, them double entendres
Turned me to an entrepreneur and a monster
Constantly caught in some kind of controversy (Gun smoke, Gun smoke)
That was my mantra, to taunt ya was kinda condescending
But why should I be kind to the kind of people that weren't kind to me
Comin' up? So like that syrup, they canceled
I'ma say, "Fuck you and your momma," then blame my rap persona (Gun smoke, Gun smoke)
That's the excuse that I used to explain my grammar
Allowing me to just do what I do and not face the ramifications
So I could air my frustrations
But I'll be damned if the same reporter's gonna shove another tape recorder
And camera in my face while I am at the Burger King
Just to grab my lil' baby daughter a hamburger like Shady oughta be amicable
Guess that's the price that you pay for all the glamour, the fame and stardom
Like when you're treated just like an animal (Gun smoke, Gun smoke)
You'll not act like one when you came from bottom
But they gonna make me wanna pull a llama
And make like I'm a mechanical bull (Yeah)
Fuck around and buck these hoes, ain't talkin' no luxury clothes
Two nines I tuck, see those?
Like Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, try and duck deez, yo
Hey, what the fuck you want?
Didn't I just see you yesterday?
Fuck outta here, fuck it, bitch
Now I'm much older, and I may be calmer
Run up on me, and I might be a little less likely
To go crazy on ya, and let the
[Outro: The Notorious B.I.G.]
Gun smoke
I just want the paper
I just want the paper
Gun smoke, gun smoke
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