Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre return with an all-new joint album, Missionary, due December 13, 2024. It is the first full-length project the iconic hip-hop duo has made together since the 1993 classic album Doggystyle, which cemented Snoop Dogg as the face of hip-hop at that time and further solidified Dr. Dre as one of the most important producers of the era. The team promises to blend the inimitable Death Row Records sound, infusing that classic energy into a fresh, modern approach. This should please both new and long-time listeners.
The production on Missionary sees Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre return to their creative roots, with the two credited as primary producers of the project. The album will also boast a fabulous lineup of collaborations, adding a diverse mix of voices. These include hip-hop heavyweights Eminem and 50 Cent, who will appear on the track “Gunz N Smoke,” which is already generating anticipation in the hip-hop world.
To many, it’s a historic collaboration, considering just how influential artists have been and their longitudinal connections to Dr. Dre himself. Other contributors to this effort include Jhené Aiko, Sting, and Method Man; each brought his style to the album’s mix. This mix of new-generation voices and seasonal icons sets up the stage for an eclectic listen, with many fans waiting with bated breath to see how such personalities and musical styles amalgamate.
Missionary is a tracklisting through hip-hop past and present. The album smoothly gets into “The Sermon” and develops into a dozen tracks featuring guests or solo showcases from Snoop and Dre. Noted inclusions are “Gunz N Smoke,” featuring Eminem and 50 Cent; “Twilight Zone,” with the soulful voice of Jhené Aiko; “Street Bible,” with the deep voice of Method Man; and “Under Pressure,” housing the rare collaboration within Sting himself. From West Coast rhythms to the subjects of introversion, the songs sweep it all in, promising an album fresh and new, bound to satisfy a wide range of tastes in hip-hop.
The first single, ‘Gorgeous’ with Jhene Aiko, is set to arrive at midnight.
Missionary Tracklist:
1. Fore Play (Feat. BJ The Chicago Kid)
2. Shangri-La
3. Outta Da Blue (Feat. Alus)
4. Hard Knocks
5. Gorgeous (Feat. Jhené Aiko)
6. Last Dance With Mary Jane (Feat. Tom Petty & Jelly Roll)
7. Pressure (Feat. KAAN)
8. Another Part Of Me (Feat. Sting)
9. Skyscrapers (Feat. Method Man & Smitty)
10. Fire (Feat. Cocoa Sarai)
11. Gunz N Smoke (Feat. 50 Cent & Eminem)
12. Sticcy Situation (Feat. KAAN & Cocoa Sarai)
13. Now Or Never (Feat. BJ The Chicago Kid)
14. Gangsta Pose (Feat. Dem Jointz, Stalone & Fat Money)
15. The Negotiator
Following an already cagey buildup to the album’s release, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre present an official trailer for Missionary on October 30, 2024. The viral trailer touches on the album theme of “missionary” in the most clever way possible through an enacted skit. One can see Snoop and Dre joking around, playing with a “missionary” theme in a humorous way that has fans laughing and guessing how this concept might affect the album’s tone. The promotional approach draws from Snoop’s well-documented comedic personality and Dr. Dre’s smooth and visually engaging storytelling. It’s building buzz and adding an extra layer of intrigue for the project.
As expected, the fans’ reactions have been electric, with the internet going wild about the release of the album. Many look upon Missionary as a pivotal moment in the careers of the two artists, especially Snoop Dogg, who recently celebrated over three decades in the profession. For Dr. Dre, who has been notoriously choosy about projects in recent times, Missionary represents an opportunity to remind the world of his impact while connecting hip-hop’s past to its future. Fan comments have flooded theatres of social media in celebration of this iconic duo’s return, hinting that perhaps the album might rekindle elements from the classic West Coast sound for an entirely new generation.
The journey to Missionary has indeed not been a smooth sail. Production delays over the years have kept fans on their toes anticipating a release date. However, these delays have seemingly heightened the anticipation, with many assuming the extra time allowed Snoop and Dre to perfect and fine-tune the project. The delays had to do with both logistical and creative considerations, according to people close to the project, as Dre – known for perfectionism in his work – was seeking a polished final product; meanwhile, Snoop was trying to score an album that captured the vibe of their earlier work while tapping into the present, album insiders said.
