Editor’s note: This column contains language that may be offensive to some readers.
Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus professed his love for all things and all people at a sold-out concert at the House of Blues New Orleans on Friday night that continued into the early hours of Saturday morning.
But two of Snoop’s passions were especially apparent: His love for ganja and his love for his admirers.
Just ask the fans.
Dank odors permeated a packed crowd of hazy devotees awaiting the famed emcee.
The award-winning and Grammy-nominated rapper’s belated arrival suited the lazy climate that gripped the audience. As time dragged past Snoop’s scheduled midnight entrance, the squared standing room continued to fill with smoke, lulling the crowd into lethargic eagerness.
Around 1:30 a.m., Snoop stormed the stage with a troop of backup singers, dancers and his stage mascot Nasty Dogg, who wielded a giant fake joint. Fans immediately ditched any sluggishness to bellow cheers and throw their hands toward the stage.
After three songs, Snoop broke from the performance to casually express his affinity for the fine cannabis of his home state of California, producing a large cigarillo seemingly out of thin air.
“As a matter of fact, I got some wit’ me right now,” he said.
Lighting his blunt and letting billowy smoke snake out of his mouth, Snoop gestured toward one of his outreaching lady fans.
“Hit this two times,” he said.
This custom continued throughout the entirety of the show, with some fans indulging more than others.
“Come on momma, goddamn,” Snoop said to one iron-lunged fan. “That muthafucka got marathon lungs.”
But fans didn’t need to partake to appreciate the show. What Snoop lacked in punctuality, he made up for with an engaging stage presence, lauding classics like “The Next Episode,” “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?” and “Gin and Juice,” as well as a few crowd-pleasing covers of renowned artists like Tupac and House of Pain. Snoop transitioned between songs smoothly, and each one presented a unique production with fitting lighting to play off its vibe.
Despite his notoriously relaxed demeanor, the rapper kicked the scene into high energy at times with dance-provoking anthems like the back-to-back combination of “Jump Around” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”
But Snoop did manage some lounging during his performance. The Doggfather relaxed in a chair during one song as his dancers promiscuously caressed and danced around him.
Snoop also worked some family time into his show. He shared the stage with his two uncles, the 72-year-old dance master Junebug, and the elegantly-voiced, silk-jacketed Reo, both of whom elicited excitement from the audience throughout the show.
Snoop closed the performance with his recent hit single “Young Wild & Free,” expressing his love for his fans and urging the audience to sing along.
“I want y’all to sing this like you’re in church,” he shouted.  
He soon casually retired from the stage, letting several fans follow him to continue a still early night of partying.  
 
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Contact Austen Krantz at [email protected].