So, it finally happened. We waited three decades. Literally thirty-one years since Doggystyle shifted the axis of the planet, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre got back in the kitchen for a full-length project. The result is Missionary, and honestly, the conversation around these songs has been wild. People were expecting a time machine back to 1993. That's not what this is.
It’s 2026 now, and looking back at the December 2024 release, the dust has settled enough to see what actually stuck. The Snoop Dogg Missionary songs aren't just a nostalgia trip; they’re a weird, polished, and sometimes confusing look at two legends who have absolutely nothing left to prove but still want to flex.
What’s Actually on the Tracklist?
If you haven't sat through the whole 16-track run, you've probably heard the big ones. But the deep cuts are where Dre’s obsessive production really shows up. He didn't just loop a funky bassline and call it a day. He brought in a small army of musicians.
The album kicks off with "Fore Play" featuring BJ The Chicago Kid. It's barely over a minute long. It’s basically a vibe setter that samples The Stylistics’ "People Make The World Go Round." Then it slides right into "Shangri-La," where Snoop sounds more focused than he has in years.
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Here is the breakdown of the standout songs that everyone was talking about:
- "Gorgeous" (feat. Jhené Aiko): This was the lead single for a reason. It’s smooth. It’s got that late-night California drive energy. Jhené’s vocals are airy, and it’s the most "radio-ready" moment on the record.
- "Gunz N Smoke" (feat. 50 Cent & Eminem): This is the one every rap nerd circled immediately. Having 50 and Em on the same track with Snoop and Dre? It’s a lot of ego for one MP3. 50 brings that gritty, melodic hook, and Eminem does that technical multi-syllabic thing he’s been doing lately.
- "Another Part Of Me" (feat. Sting): Yeah, you read that right. They flipped "Message in a Bottle" by The Police. It’s polarizing. Some people think it’s a genius bridge between genres, while others think it’s a bit too "Adult Contemporary" for a Snoop album.
- "Last Dance With Mary Jane" (feat. Jelly Roll & Tom Petty): This one is a trip. It uses a posthumous sample/tribute to Tom Petty. Jelly Roll adds that soulful, country-adjacent grit that has made him a massive star recently. It’s a literal anthem for Snoop’s favorite plant.
The Dr. Dre Factor
You can’t talk about the Snoop Dogg Missionary songs without talking about Dre’s "ICU" production team. We’re talking about guys like Dem Jointz, Fredwreck, and Focus...
Dre is a perfectionist to a fault. You can hear it in "Sticcy Situation." The way he layers the samples—Isaac Hayes, Suzanne Vega, and Ronnie Gee—is like a masterclass in crate digging. It doesn't sound cluttered; it sounds expensive.
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There was a lot of talk about whether Snoop was "ghostwritten" on this project. Let’s be real: Snoop has always been a collaborative artist. In the 90s, it was The D.O.C. and RBX helping shape the vision. On Missionary, you see names like Fat Money and Smitty in the credits. Does it matter? Not really. Snoop’s delivery is a signature. Nobody else can lay down a verse with that specific "laid-back but dangerous" pocket.
Why Some Fans Were Disappointed
Not everyone loved it. The Arts Desk gave it a pretty lukewarm review, basically saying you can’t bottle lightning twice. And they’re kinda right. If you go into this expecting "Gin and Juice Pt. 2," you’re going to be annoyed.
The main gripe? It’s almost too clean. Some of the raw, G-Funk grit from the Death Row days has been replaced by high-definition, Atmos-ready sheen. Songs like "The Negotiator" or "Pressure" feel a little like they were made for a commercial or a movie trailer rather than a lowrider.
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Also, the "mature" Snoop is a bit of a contradiction. He talks about being a grandfather and a businessman, then jumps right back into the "bitches and hoes" vocabulary of his youth. It feels a bit performative at times, like he's playing the character of Snoop Dogg rather than just being Calvin Broadus.
The Full Tracklist for Your Playlist
- Fore Play (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid)
- Shangri-La
- Outta Da Blue (feat. Dr. Dre & Alus)
- Hard Knocks
- Gorgeous (feat. Jhené Aiko)
- Last Dance With Mary Jane (feat. Tom Petty & Jelly Roll)
- Thank You
- Pressure (feat. Dr. Dre & K.A.A.N.)
- Another Part Of Me (feat. Sting)
- Skyscrapers (feat. Method Man & Smitty)
- Fire (feat. Cocoa Sarai)
- Gunz N Smoke (feat. 50 Cent & Eminem)
- Sticcy Situation (feat. K.A.A.N. & Cocoa Sarai)
- Now Or Never (feat. Dr. Dre & BJ The Chicago Kid)
- Gangsta Pose (feat. Dem Jointz, Stalone & Fat Money)
- The Negotiator
Actionable Insights for the Listener
If you’re just getting into this album or trying to decide which Snoop Dogg Missionary songs deserve a spot on your gym or commute playlist, here is the move:
- For the OG Fans: Stick to "Shangri-La" and "Skyscrapers." Method Man's verse on "Skyscrapers" is arguably the best guest spot on the whole album. It feels the most authentic to that 90s East-meets-West energy.
- For the Production Nerds: Listen to "Sticcy Situation" on high-quality headphones. The way Dre weaves the "Tom's Diner" hum into a rap beat is actually insane.
- For the Casual Vibe: "Gorgeous" is the clear winner. It’s the kind of song you play when you don't want to think too hard.
Don't expect a revolution. Expect a reunion. It’s two old friends who own half the world getting back together to remind you why they owned it in the first place. Whether it has "shelf life" or not depends on if you're willing to let Snoop grow up, even if he's still rapping about the same stuff.