On the tenth anniversary of The Game Awards, honored music guest Snoop Dogg performs two songs from his new album, Missionary. He celebrates 32 years of his hip-hop career alongside Dr. Dre. Then later on Dec. 13th, Snoop Dogg’s YouTube channel, SnoopDoggTV releases a short film under the same name. Here’s how The Game Awards performance went and who is part of the album’s collaboration.
Snoop Dogg’s “Thank You”
The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley introduces Snoop and his son, Cordell Broadus to present the ‘Best Ongoing Game’ of 2024. Cornell announced that he and his father have started a game company called Death Row Games. Snoop let out a small hint about having his own game before awarding Helldivers 2. The hip-hop guru takes the stage to perform his new single, “Thank You”, to tease his and Dr. Dre’s anniversary album, Missionary.
He got the crowd to stand up while dropping a fresh, catchy beat. Snoop thanks the crowd for allowing him to be himself through a golden microphone. The Peacock Theater felt alive and energetic, even Split Fiction game director Josef Fares danced in the crowd. Dancers and backup singers were grooving for “Thank You”’s debut. It was clear by the cheers and smiling faces that Missionary is welcomed into the world. Snoop then closes his performance with one of his all-time classics, “Gin and Juice”.
Missionary
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s Film
Hours after The Game Awards 2024 ended, the album dropped into streaming music services at around noon EST. At the same time, Snoop uploaded a short film on his YouTube channel. Missionary starred Snoop and Dre as partners in hip-hop and as undercover hitmen. They are hired to execute other criminals, leaving behind no evidence as possible. By no evidence, that meant carrying bodies into a freezer underneath their nightclub, then dumping them into the ocean. Until this very night, someone has discovered their secret.
Dre wrote the story with Taylor Materne as a night crime drama. Director Dave Meyer did a fantastic job capturing the style of a 2010s gangster flick with great comedic timing from Snoop. And rap legend Method Man narrating the story is beautiful. Missionary’s short film is also a creatively, terrific way to introduce a few tracks and the artists joining the chaos. “Outta My Way” for example is the opening theme featuring Dre, Snoop, and hip-hop singer Alus. Most of these tracks are hidden in viewers’ faces depending on if you listened to the album.
The Album
Missionary is an absolute treat to Snoop Dogg’s and Dr. Dre’s listeners for both young and old. Even if you do not enjoy every song, there will be one that resonates with your mood. I’m glad to have watched the short film first to set my expectations low for the album. It created a perfect image of an alternate universe of Snoop and Dre if they lived the double life. Here are the artists who joined their musical saga:
- Eminem
- K.A.A.N
- Alus
- Cocoa Sarai
- The Chicago Kid
- Smitty
- Method Man
- Sting
- Fat Money
- Dem Jointz
- Stalone
- Jelly Roll
- Jhene Aiko
I was surprised to hear three remixes in Missionary. The obvious one is Tom Petty’s “Last Dance with Mary Jane”. Jelly Roll and Snoop preserved the original rhythm while freestyling made this track a match in heaven. The most steady and smooth had to be “Gunz n Smoke” as 50 Cent and Eminem reunite to honor the late Biggie. Finally, there’s “Another Part of Me” with Sting, taking a hypnotic riff of The Police’s “Message in A Bottle”. Snoop brings out his reggae flow from his Snoop Lion days.
Missionary’s Verdict
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre outdid themselves with their December release. Missionary is almost a hip-hop listener’s wet dream that fuses nostalgic tunes with fresh party beats and disturbing rhythm. Snoop and Dre show no signs of slowing down, especially with the growing musical talents of the 2020s. If you need enjoyable dance songs at your 2025 New Year’s Eve party, consider adding “Thank You”, “Gorgeous”, and “Shangri-La” to your list.
