Snoop Dogg hooked up with The-Dream for the first single from his tenth solo LP, Malice N Wonderland.
In a private album listening session, VIBE learned that the upbeat leadoff look, “Gangsta Love,” will be one of two collaborations with hit-making tandem The-Dream and Tricky Stewart.
The selective track list–the project consists of a lean but filling 12 songs–includes contributions from R. Kelly, Soulja Boy, Lil Jon, Gucci Mane, Brandy and Pharrell.
True to its title, the album’s sound and content are paradoxical, with Snoop at times rapping thuggery to Terrance Martin’s gun-click sound effects (“2 Minute Warning”) and elsewhere dedicating whole songs to his wife, Shante (the happy and sappy “Different Languages,” with Jazmine Sullivan).
The West Coast legend also pays homage to California’s next generation. He gives a nod to Los Angeles’ burgeoning jerk dance moment with the Scoop Deville-produced “Wanna Rock,” and passes the baton to young’uns Problem and Nipsey Hu$$le on “Upside Down.”
According to Ted Chung, President of Doggystyle Records and Snoopadelic Films, Snoop will shoot a mini-movie to accompany Malice N Wonderland‘s release. The short, similar in style to the rapper’s 1995 flick Murder Was The Case, will portray Snoop as a “super gangster.”
As previously reported, Snoop Dogg is taking the reins as Creative Chairman at Priority Records. In his new role, the blue-rag-waving rapper will re-release notable albums from the storied label’s catalog.
Marking the first release from the revived Priority Records, Malice N Wonderland is slated for a December 8 release. –John Kennedy