Photo Credit: Chris Minor

Perhaps there is no better way to kick off the New Year than with something just a bit different from your average everyday concert in Philadelphia. I received a once in a lifetime opportunity to catch one of the greatest of all time in hip-hop, Snoop Dogg. There is no experience in the world of music like being fortunate enough to see some performances by iconic hip-hop living legends. Seeing Snoop Dogg as a headliner in a small intimate venue like The Fillmore, perhaps just might be one of the best venue choices to see any mainstream artist in a more intimate setting.

Snoop is currently touring off of the release of his 17th album (you read that right) titled I Wanna Thank Me. The album celebrates 25 years of the multitalented rapper and was long awaited by fans, which made the anticipation of this tour at an all time high. As if Snoop wasn’t enough as a headliner, he seasoned the stage with other amazing talents kicking off the show with RJ or RJMrLA and the great West Coast rapper Warren G, adding a unique blend of flair in the mix.

This show was a blunt smoker’s paradise, as the essence of weed roamed the air. It practically made you feel as if you were on cloud nine and beyond without even the headliner gracing the on stage yet. Right at the strike of 10 pm, the lights went dim and the entire venue erupted as the fog filled the stage in the Fillmore and Snoop entered center stage dressed as fashionable as ever. Everyone got all worked up for what would be a fantastic evening of glorified chart busters and old school hip-hop favorites spanning his luscious career as an artist.

Amongst Snoop’s eighteen song set list, no performance absolutely would not be complete without the three mainstays that limelight Snoop’s talent: “Who Am I” (What’s My Name?)” “Drop it like its Hot” and “Gin and Juice.” Snoop certainly out does himself with all these great key songs that made him famous as a true pioneer in the world of hip-hop. He also added some tributes to the many rappers gone too soon who left a trademark on the genre, throwing in covers of songs by Nipsey Hussle, Tupac Shakur, and Notorious B.I.G.

With a brand new year unfolding and a bunch of amazing shows coming our way, this was one of the best ways to check off the bucket list and add to the concert resume. Whether it is a giant venue, festival, or an intimate show at the Fillmore in Philadelphia, Snoop Dogg still brings the magic on the stage and is able to captivate any crowd of concertgoers.

Written by: Steve Trager

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