While Snoop Dogg is now recognized as an international Pop culture icon on many levels, it is sometimes easy to forget that he is first and foremost a Hip Hop legend. First appearing on the Hip Hop scene back in 1992 when he did a guest spot on Dr. Dre’s debut solo single, “Deep Cover,” from here he was also on the hit single “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang,” and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic album became the biggest of the year.
An enigmatic presence in the Hip Hop world since, the buzz around his debut album, Doggystyle, in 1993 was enormous, and with Dr. Dre in his corner handling the production, Snoop Dogg became one of the hottest around. A debut that featured such massive tracks as “Gin and Juice” and “Who Am I? (What’s My Name?),” Doggystyle debuted at number 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and was widely considered one of the biggest albums of the ’90s era. Not only did Snoop Dogg seem to become an overnight success, but he also helped shift many people’s attention directly toward West Coast Rap over the previously dominant East Coast.
From here, a dedicated fan base would follow him over the next three-plus decades, and with commercials, brands, movies, and more, it is hard to ignore Snoop Dogg. However, this is not to say the artist has fallen off as a rapper, because through everything, he has consistently released album after album in a rather prolific manner. In 2024, he released Missionary, and just two years prior, in 2022, he released BODR. Moreover, just a year before that, he released From tha Streets 2 tha Suites in 2021. Only a snapshot of the last five years, before this, he released five albums between 2015 and 2019! Showing little sign of slowing down, now in 2025, he is back with his twenty-first overall studio album, Iz It a Crime?
Released on May 15, 2025, through the revived Death Row Records, with co-production from a list of contributors such as Battlecat, Rick Rock, Pharrell Williams, and more. A massive twenty-one songs lasting nearly an hour, there is also no shortage of compelling guest appearances as well, including Pharrell Williams, Wiz Khalifa, and Sexxy Red. A lot to dig into, especially after the impressive Missionary from 2024 (which saw Dr. Dre working with Snoop Dogg again), Iz It a Crime? is full of classic G-Funk styling.
Oozing with Soul, the album runs smoothly, with many high points, such as “Joy.” A great track filled with reminiscent lyrics, it makes you feel the way you felt when you first listened to Snoop Dogg all those years ago. Another standout is “Sophisticated Crippin,” showing you Snoop Dogg still has it. This is while “Let Me Love You” is an essential love ballad, and “Live Life” is the best way to end the album, telling all Snoop’s haters that they can hate all they want, but he is here to stay.
Overall, Iz It a Crime? features great beats that get you moving and lyrics that are incredibly catchy. So, in case you just thought Snoop Dogg was America’s uncle or a commentator at the Olympics, you are reminded of his raw talent as a Hip Hop artist. Sure to be a big hit for the Dogg Father, Cryptic Rock gives Iz It a Crime? 5 out of 5 stars.
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