Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre prove their chemistry is still on point with “Missionary.”
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TOP 5 SONGS
5. Now Or Never (Ft. BJ The Chicago Kid)
Dr. Dre’s verse on “Now Or Never” >.
Sometimes, you need a track to remind you to slow down and take it all in, and “Now Or Never” does exactly that. With a smooth, celebratory instrumental and a soulful, carefree hook from BJ The Chicago Kid backing them, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre deliver verses that perfectly encapsulate their unique lifestyles. They mainly reflect on staying true to themselves, their legendary careers, and their rebellious spirits. This track shines because both artists strike a perfect balance between laidback confidence and subtle aggression, giving us a masterclass in effortless cool.
4. Gunz N Smoke (Ft. Eminem & 50 Cent)
I can’t believe everyone on this track is basically 50, including 50!
I don’t even care how this track sounds—just the fact that we get verses from 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem together in 2024 automatically secures it a spot in my top 5 list. That being said, the track is actually fire. 50 Cent delivers a tongue-twisting flow and a menacing verse, reminding everyone that Boo Boo is still not to be messed with. Snoop Dogg steps in with a touch of Jamaican flair, a slick flow, and a nostalgic glimpse into his hustling days. Finally, Eminem drops a laidback verse, masterfully blending a seemingly fast-but-slow flow with rebellious lyrics highlighting his reignited temper and disdain for critics. All this lyrical excellence unfolds over an easygoing beat laced with a perfectly placed Biggie sample.
3. Outta Da Blue
I saw someone win gold breakdancing to this track.
In “Outta Da Blue,” Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre talk about traveling around the world, counting on themselves, stacking money, and rolling with bigger gorillas than the dude from Planet of the Apes. Oh yeah, and of course, they also speak on their impact on hip-hop and about smoking on some good s**t.
Stylistically, this track is unique as hell. It features DJ scratches, parts of M.I.A’s chorus from “Paper Planes,” and a hard-hititng beat with old-school hip-hop vibes. As for Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, they trade aggressive verses, choosing to whip the f**k out of it as if it tried to give them a parking ticket. All in all, this track is a very interesting one.
2. Another Part Of Me (Ft. Sting)
How did Sting manage to drop a verse that’s harder than 90% of what I’ve heard from rappers today?
In “Another Part Of Me,” Snoop Dogg and Sting make it clear that they have unshakable confidence and are ready to fend off their enemies. As seasoned legends who have faced their share of criticism over the years, their carefree and defiant lyrics are refreshing.
“Another Part Of Me” is driven by a multi-layered, rock-inspired beat that has a timeless vibe I can’t get enough of. Snoop Dogg adds a unique twist by singing a bit and delivering some sharp, punchy bars. Sting brings a powerful energy to the track with a passionate verse and fiery vocals. Meanwhile, Dr. Dre steps in as the hype man, adding fiery ad-libs to keep the energy high from start to finish. All in all, I rock with this track heavy.
1. Gorgeous (Ft. Jhene Aiko)
Do you know what else is gorgeous? Stimulus checks.
“Gorgeous” features a glamorous, vintage-sounding R&B-hop beat, complemented by random-ass adlibs from Mase and an angelic chorus from Jhene Aiko, who sings about feeling pretty and s**t. As for Snoop Dogg, he delivers some of his best raps in a decade, showcasing a punchy delivery and confident flow as he reflects on his accomplishments and wealth. From top to bottom, this track is fire.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
RGM RATING
(B-) (83%)
If this truly is Snoop Dogg’s final album, it feels like the musical equivalent of Michael Jordan’s iconic championship-clinching shot against Utah—hand in the air, frozen in time, a moment of undeniable greatness.
One thing we can all agree on is that when Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre first teamed up, they excelled at pushing boundaries—and they continue to do just that with Missionary. From a production standpoint, the album offers truly cinematic, diverse, multi-layered, and action-packed beats that could stand out on their own. As for Snoop Dogg, he uses these rich backdrops to deliver animated, well-crafted, and dynamic verses that transport us back to a time when he was undeniably one of the coolest in the game. Lyrically, I appreciate how much of his content focuses on celebrating himself—revisiting his come-up, reflecting on his success, recounting his pimpin’ ways, and more. It’s a nostalgic yet forward-thinking project that I think is truly captivating.
I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight the guest appearances on this album. The heavy-hitters, like 50 Cent, Eminem, and Jhené Aiko, delivered dynamic and memorable features. Meanwhile, contributors such as Dem Jointz, K.A.A.N, Cocoa Sarai, and others did an excellent job of filling in the gaps, completing the songs in a cohesive and impactful way. Let’s not forget, Dre shines brightest when he assembles a collective to bring his vision to life.
For longtime fans of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, Missionary is a nostalgic trip that reinforces their greatness. At the same time, it’s a masterclass showing exactly why these two remain icons in the game for the younger generation.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.