An Empty Pockets Book Report (or The Blogg on the Dogg)

In my ramblings through the library, I often come across something that jumps off the shelves and into my hands, screaming to be checked out. Such a situation occurred when I came upon my latest hard-cover conquest, Tha Doggfather: The Times, Trials and Hardcore Truths of Snoop Dogg. I clutched it close as I checked out, filled with anticipation of the Hardcore Truths I would learn about Cordozar Calvin Broadus, the man and the legend.

These truths were pretty hardcore.

Snoop talks about his time in the Rollin' 20 Crips, his frequent interactions with the judicial system, and his famed 1993 murder trial, in which he was charged in connection with the murder of a man shot by Snoop's bodyguard. He also talks about his love for Long Beach and his mother, and his rapid rise from a music-loving young man to one of the most influential G-funk rappers ever. Snoop proves to be a effective street-philosopher, offering not only the facts of a situation as seen by Snoop, but also a the overall negatives and positives of the situation wrapped into a lesson. The book is written in the conversational tone of Snoop Dogg and can prove to be an awkward read at some points where the vernacular becomes unclear, but it proves to be a satisfyingly good stylistic decision throughout.

Having recently pulled "Doggystyle" out of the musical mothballs, Snoop's Doggy Dog's premier 1993 album bloomed with salient connections in the history provided by the book, especially tracks like "Murder Was The Case They Gave Me" and "Lodi Dodi". It will surely find itself back into my regular rotation for some G-funk enjoyment with the Doggfather.

If you're a fan of Snoop, this is a must read. It was published in 1999, so it is a bit dated, but it proves to be a fun read with the Snoop Dogg style we've all come to love. Co-author David Seay colors the book with a subtle brush that allows the flavor to be 100% Dogg.

"No one knows more of the truth about the life, and no one tells it more like it is, than Tha Doggfather, Snoop Dogg."

-Nate Bellon(bass)

Snoop Dog on Wikipedia: [link]

Doggystyle on Wikipedia: [link]

The Book!: [link]