Snoop Dogg took to a packed up Rogers Place in Edmonton Thursday night before the big game 6 for the Oilers. The way the crowd was responsive you would’ve thought the Oilers were playing that night with how they acted and responded to all the acts, notably for the Dogg Father himself Snoop D-O-Double G. Snoop didn’t come alone as he brought along Canadian artist Merkules to join along DJ Quick, 90s icon Warren G and his Dogg Pound for the Cali to Canada Tour. Driving 4.5-5 hours each way and getting some shopping done before the show made for a LONG day but when you were witness to this greatness, it was all worth it to be a zombie the next day to get the privilege to cover this show and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Warren G
While most of the acts were beyond my knowledge they all brought excitement to the crowd in what was nearly a 4 hours set from start to finish. The artists all took joy in brining up the Oilers to the crowd which got an immediate pop from the crowd, including the Dogg Father himself getting “Let’s Go Oiler” chants going. It was nice to hear Warren G bust out some vintage tracks notably “Regulate,” while getting exposed to some new talent in Merkules and DJ Quick. While this was an event that was open to all ages it was one best to leave the young ones at home for with a lot of alcohol and weed getting consumed by DJ Quick, but also the language wasn’t toned down and as you will find out Snoop and Tha Dogg Pound had some interesting dancing you wouldn’t expect from an arena concert in 2024. The music sounded great from all the opening acts which all brought something different to the table. It went from “new school” to “old school” in terms of the talent which was a nice way to do it .
Snoop Dogg
The big star of the show was a little behind schedule due microphone issues but the crowd erupted when Snoop came out in a car with hydraulics and jumped into his set with a song he was featured on by Dr. Dre “The Next Episode.” Snoop didn’t just bring out a car but some dancers that would do some pole dancing, not stripping, but pole dancing, along with dancers shaking it all over the stage. Most of the songs were songs that Snoop was a feature artist on and would play 14 songs before taking a break with Tha Dogg Pound taking over for a 14 song set themselves. Snoop would then return with another 13 song set that kicked off with “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and included more covers of tracks he was on including Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” and 50 Cent’s “P.I.M.P.” The icon would finish up the show with his most well known song “Gin & Juice” and “Young Wild and Free” which he recorded with Wiz Khalifa.
This might have been one of the most entertaining shows I have ever gone to. My first rap/hip-hop concert was one for the books that was for sure. Snoop may be getting up there in dog years but still can entertain the crowds and perform at a high level, pun intended. Like I said before it was worth being up at 6:30 am and not getting home until 4:30 the next morning.
– Everett
