In an era where celebrity loyalty and social perceptions shift rapidly, Snoop Dogg is once again stepping into the spotlight—not just as an iconic rapper but as a cultural commentator, businessman, and artist confronting decades of tension and transformation in the music industry. His latest album, Iz It a Crime?, marks more than a musical release—it’s a reckoning with public backlash, a defiant response to critics, and a firm reclamation of identity, legacy, and ownership.
At the heart of the new album is a dual fire: Snoop’s frustration with how segments of the public and music industry have responded to his perceived political affiliations, and a resurfaced, long-simmering feud with Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight. With his signature West Coast cool and sharpened lyrical edge, Snoop lays bare his thoughts on both, blending personal reflection with broader commentary on authenticity, betrayal, and resilience in a fickle industry.
The Trump Performance Controversy: Navigating Backlash
Snoop recently faced heavy criticism for participating in a performance at an event connected to former President Donald Trump. Many fans and fellow artists interpreted his involvement as a betrayal of values, especially considering Snoop’s prior criticisms of Trump during his presidency. On Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, the rapper addressed the backlash candidly, revealing that he had been accused of “selling out” and was even threatened with being “blackballed” by some in the entertainment world.
Rather than issue a defensive apology or retreat from the controversy, Snoop turned to what he’s always done best: telling his side of the story through music. Iz It a Crime?, according to Snoop, is a deeply personal response—a creative outlet for the anger, confusion, and exhaustion that came from being misunderstood and mischaracterized by his own community.
“This album is therapy,” Snoop explained. “It’s me asking real questions about who I am, how people perceive me, and why we’re so quick to cancel someone without understanding the whole picture.”
Through tracks that blend classic G-funk rhythms with modern trap influences, the album confronts themes of loyalty, truth, and personal evolution. Snoop doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable questions—he embraces them, often posing them directly to the listener.
Resurrecting a Rivalry: Suge Knight vs. Snoop Dogg
While public criticism may have ignited the spark behind Iz It a Crime?, it’s Snoop’s renewed clash with Suge Knight that pours gasoline on the fire. Knight, who is currently serving a prison sentence for voluntary manslaughter, has recently challenged Snoop’s 2022 acquisition of Death Row Records, the legendary label that launched his career in the 1990s.
In multiple interviews from behind bars, Knight questioned the legitimacy of Snoop’s claim to ownership and mocked the direction in which the rapper is taking the brand. According to Knight, Snoop’s leadership is a betrayal of the label’s original ethos.
Snoop, however, remains unfazed. He has not only dismissed the accusations but hit back with biting bars on Iz It a Crime? and several pointed social media posts. One such message, directed squarely at Knight, reads: “This n— won’t stop talking about me. Mad ’cause I own Death Row. I realize your real lies.” The line cleverly flips Knight’s narrative and highlights Snoop’s evolution from artist to mogul—a journey marked by reinvention, redemption, and resilience.
In several songs, Snoop revisits the chaos of the 1990s Death Row era—violence, manipulation, power struggles—and positions himself as someone who survived the storm and ultimately rose above it. While some see the rekindling of the feud as unnecessary, for Snoop, it’s a way of reclaiming the narrative on his own terms.
Musical Style and Themes: A Mix of Nostalgia and Growth
Musically, Iz It a Crime? balances old-school energy with forward-looking experimentation. The album showcases Snoop’s versatility—not just as a rapper, but as a curator of sound. Collaborations with newer West Coast artists and established producers offer a dynamic backdrop for his storytelling.
Lyrically, the album explores more than just public beefs and business disputes. Snoop reflects on aging in hip-hop, his role as a mentor and entrepreneur, the pressures of fame, and the complexities of being a Black man in America navigating both scrutiny and privilege.
Songs like “Real Eyes” and “No Apology” deliver poignant bars about being misjudged and standing tall despite it. Meanwhile, “Label Me” digs into the politics of record labels, ownership, and artistic control—tying directly to Snoop’s real-life experience reviving Death Row as a modern imprint.
The Business of Snoop: From Rapper to Media Empire
Snoop’s pivot from artist to executive has been one of the most fascinating transformations in modern hip-hop. Over the past few years, he’s diversified his portfolio across cannabis, tech, entertainment, and digital media. Acquiring Death Row Records wasn’t just a nostalgic move—it was a strategic one. Under his leadership, the label has been repositioned for the streaming age, with efforts to reintroduce classic catalogs and sign fresh talent.
But with this expansion comes scrutiny. Critics argue that nostalgia-fueled reboots often dilute the raw energy that made the original so influential. Snoop’s response is simple: “I’m not trying to copy the past. I’m building something new from what we started.”
Public Perception and Legacy
Iz It a Crime? ultimately asks a broader question: can a public figure ever fully control their narrative? Snoop Dogg, with over three decades in the spotlight, knows better than most that reputation is fragile and constantly evolving.
He’s been a gangster rapper, a reggae artist (remember Snoop Lion?), a gospel singer, a television host, and now a label executive. Each chapter brought praise and criticism. But through it all, he’s maintained a rare consistency—authenticity.
This latest chapter feels like a culmination of everything he’s experienced. The album doesn’t seek approval; it demands understanding. It’s not a cry for redemption—it’s a declaration of autonomy.
Conclusion: A Veteran’s Voice, Loud and Clear
With Iz It a Crime?, Snoop Dogg proves that relevance in hip-hop doesn’t come solely from chasing trends or chart positions—it comes from speaking truth, evolving without losing yourself, and staying connected to the streets and the spirit of the culture.
In confronting Suge Knight and the industry critics who doubted him, Snoop reasserts not just his position in hip-hop, but his larger cultural significance. He’s no longer just a product of Death Row—he owns it, redefines it, and reshapes it in his image.
And if Iz It a Crime? is any indication, he’s far from done speaking his truth.