Snoop Dogg a force to be reckoned with on his Australian tour

A pungent herbal smell was wafting over western Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena this week when one of the planet’s most iconic rappers rolled into town.

Ben Graham

@bengrahamjourno

2 min read

March 4, 2023 - 2:48PM

Snoop Dogg’s Sydney show was a wild one.

A pungent herbal smell was wafting over western Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena this week when one of the planet’s most iconic rappers rolled into town.

The lights dimmed and Snoop Dogg appeared on a giant plasma screen. He could be seen lounging in his hotel before asking “Sydney, Australia” which eye-popping jump suit he should ease into for the night’s show — blue or black?

The answer was unintelligible from the raucous crowd of 20,000 packed inside the stadium, but the Dogg sauntered out of his room in his finest blue threads.

With a questionable cigarette in hand and to the bombastic sound of O Fortuna, the camera followed him down a corridor until he stepped out on stage.

He launched straight into the mother of all West Coast tunes Dr. Dre’s The Next Episode, on which of course Snoop featured heavily.

Snoop Dogg is on tour in Australia. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

The cover set a theme for a night when Snoop rattled through a number of tunes he’d guested on over his illustrious career, including Akon’s I Wanna F**k You — in which he showcased his famously limited vocal range while singing to one of the four pole dancers on stage.

That was far from the only sexually charged moment of the night as a dancer in a giant ape mask, complete with a comically large blunt, fired money at the dancers via a gun that launched dollar bills.

Despite the antics on stage, Snoop appeared laser focused on his rhymes and providing the biggest party in town.

Ripping through the blistering verses of 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted in his tribute to 2Pac it was clear that Snoop — at the ripe age of 51 — can still spit fire.

Biggy Smalls was also paid tribute with a rendition of Hypnotize that hit you in the gut so hard, you couldn’t help but get up and wiggle.

It wasn’t all about covers, as Snoop tore through a barrage of self-penned classic G Funk bangers including Who Am I? (What’s My Name?) and Gin and Juice.

It was all topped off with a rendition of Young, Wild & Free that had everybody in the house singing along.

There was a lot going on.

It was certainly a night to remember and probably the most fun you can have with your pants on. The best news of the night however was reserved for the end when Snoop confirmed he’d back in Australia for more in the future.

You can catch Snoop in Melbourne and Brisbane on this current tour.

VIC:

Saturday, 4 March, 7:30pm - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne