In a historic moment for hip-hop, four of the genre's biggest icons have come together for the first time on a single track. Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent have united to pay homage to the late, great Notorious B.I.G. on their new collaborative song "Gunz N Smoke."
Despite being longtime friends and collaborators who have worked in various combinations over the past 25 years, this marks the first time all four rap legends have appeared on the same record. The heavyweight track comes from Snoop and Dre's highly anticipated new album Missionary, which serves as the long-awaited successor to Snoop's classic 1993 debut Doggystyle.
"Gunz N Smoke" finds each artist delivering rejuvenated, hard-hitting verses over groovy production from Dr. Dre. 50 Cent kicks things off with a fleet-footed verse, warning his rivals about his firepower, before Snoop takes the baton and flows effortlessly. Biggie's influence is felt throughout, with 50 adopting the Bad Boy MC's cadence and Snoop repurposing lyrics from "Notorious Thugs" and "Dead Wrong."
Eminem then brings the collaboration across the finish line with a typically intricate and technical verse, reflecting on his chaotic upbringing, past penchant for violence, and maturity into middle age. The track serves as a powerful tribute to the Notorious B.I.G., showcasing the enduring impact of his artistry and the mutual respect between these titans of hip-hop.
Missionary, which also features appearances from Method Man, Jhené Aiko, and rock legends Sting and Tom Morello, has been one of the most eagerly anticipated releases in the genre since it was first announced by Snoop in late 2022. According to the Doggfather, the album came about after Dr. Dre called him a couple of years ago and offered to produce the entire project.
"[Dre] called me one day about two years ago. He was like, 'N-gga, come over, let me do a couple of songs with you,'" Snoop explained. "I go over there and he like, 'N-gga, let me do your album.' And I'm like, 'Alright, let's go!' We go in, knock out a couple of songs. He hit me back: 'I need two more days.' I got that call probably about 85 times [laughs]. This n-gga need two more days all the time."
The result of their tireless collaborative efforts is a project that showcases Snoop Dogg at a new level of artistry, with Dre pushing him to new creative heights. As Snoop put it, "There's some growth to him. It's the way he selects his bars, it's the way he uses his voice. [Dr. Dre] uses me like a fucking robot and I love it because I love to be produced. I love to be challenged."
"Gunz N Smoke" is a landmark moment in hip-hop history, uniting four of the genre's most iconic figures for a powerful tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. Fans have been eagerly awaiting this collaboration for years, and the final product more than delivers on the hype. It's a must-listen for any true hip-hop devotee.
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