Snoop is coming to Grand Rapids, are you going?

Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr., better known as Snoop Dogg has set the music industry on fire since the launch of his career in the 90’s.

Grand Rapids may get a little hazy on December 20. The reason is not attributed to fog or pollution but the Puff Puff Pass tour makes a stop at the Van Andel Arena. This tour is headlined by iconic Hip Hop artist Snoop Dogg. This tour also includes legendary Billboard charting artists such as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, DJ Quick, Tha Dogg Pound, and Warren G. Additionally, Snoop Dogg brings protégés the Pomona City Movement and LBC Movement who are poised to become the next generation of stars representing the West Coast.

How many weddings, school dances, club nights, can you remember hearing the smooth, laidback, metaphysical rhymes from this man from Long Beach, California (LBC). Now, as Grand Rapidians we have the chance to witness something stimulating and sublime. Here are two reasons why you should go see Snoop Doggy Dog.

1.     If you were born in the 80’s or a kid of the 90’s or 00’s…

Do you remember west coast rap verses east coast rap, Baywatch and Steve Urkles famous tag line of “Did I do that that? Snoop first came to the attention of the American public in 1993 with the release of his debut single "What's My Name?" It appeared on his first album Doggystyle. The single went platinum and instantly made Snoop a household name by becoming a crossover Top 10 hit in the Billboard 100, R&B/Hip Hop and Rap charts. Twenty plus years later Snoop is still around making relevant music. Snoop's current position in Hip Hop is in the top but laidback. However, isn’t this how Snoop has always positioned himself, laid back in a '64 Impala, with his mind on his money and his money on his mind?

2.     If you want to see an iconic artist…

Snoop can be looked at as an iconic musician of the past twenty years, selling millions of copies of records, while making a cultural impression of Hip Hop worldwide. Even with the consistent metamorphosis of Hip Hop music since his debut in 1993, Snoop still remains relevant to popular culture today. While the statement that Snoop is one of the Greatest of All Time can be debated, what cannot be debated is his cultural significance to the generation of millennials he has touch through music. In addition, Snoop Dogg is one of many iconic artists who has never won a Grammy, in company with artists like Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Run-DMC, and The Notorious B.I.G.

Furthermore, Snoop Dogg is on a short list of artists who have had hit records in multiple decades spanning the 90’s-2011 with songs such as:

2011 "California Gurls" Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg which hit #1 on Billboards Hot 100 singles for multiple weeks

2004 "Drop It Like It's Hot" Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell hit # 1 on Billboards Hot 100 singles for multiple weeks

1994 “Gin and Juice” Snoop Dogg reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 singles, peaking at # 8

Having hit records in three different decades puts Snoop in the same boat as, Mariah Carey, Madonna, and Garth Brooks, while all of these artists have uniquely different sonic qualities to their music. One thing remains true, S, n, double o, p, has been paving the way for hip hop for 20 plus years.

The Puff Puff Pass Tour will be on Tuesday, December 20, at The Van Andel Arena, and starts at 7 p.m. Ticket prices vary from $29.50 to $243.79 and will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.