How Kendrick Lamar’s GNX Exposed Snoop Dogg as a Fence Sitter

In 2024, Kendrick Lamar set the internet ablaze with the release of his Billboard-topping album GNX. One of the most talked-about moments was a subtle but impactful reference to Snoop Dogg in the opening track, Whacked Out Murals. Though brief, Kendrick’s lyrics hinted at Snoop’s long history of playing both sides in the rap industry, a sentiment echoed by many over the years.

Snoop Dogg: The Hood Politician

Snoop Dogg has often been described as a “hood politician,” someone who masterfully straddles opposing sides in the industry while maintaining a diplomatic stance. From his shifting alliances with Tupac and Death Row Records to his interactions with Biggie and Bad Boy Entertainment, Snoop has consistently found ways to navigate the complex landscape of hip-hop rivalries.

The Tupac Connection

When Tupac was incarcerated, the industry seemed reluctant to step in. Jimmy Iovine reportedly wanted to help but was constrained by corporate pressure due to the serious legal allegations against Tupac. The solution came through Death Row Records, and according to Snoop, he played a pivotal role in convincing Suge Knight to bail Tupac out.

“I told Suge, ‘You need to go get him and bring him with us, he’s my friend,’” Snoop recounted. This move led to Tupac signing with Death Row, though some debate whether he was officially under contract with the label or simply working through Interscope.

Despite initially advocating for Tupac’s release, Snoop’s attitude towards him reportedly shifted once Tupac’s star power eclipsed his own within Death Row. As Tupac quickly became the label’s dominant figure, jealousy and tension emerged, with some speculating that Snoop had expected Tupac to be his “Robin” rather than surpass him as “Batman.”

Snoop Dogg sponsors college football bowl game with Gin & Juice drink - Los Angeles Times

The East Coast-West Coast Dilemma

Snoop had his own issues with the East Coast long before Tupac’s arrival at Death Row. The infamous 1995 Source Awards saw him calling out East Coast audiences for not showing love to Dr. Dre, himself, and the Death Row camp. His music video for New York, New York with Tha Dogg Pound only escalated tensions, with Biggie Smalls allegedly alerting local New Yorkers to disrupt the video shoot.

Yet, despite these tensions, Snoop later distanced himself from the East Coast-West Coast rivalry, claiming he wanted no part in it. However, accounts from Tupac’s camp suggest otherwise. Napoleon from the Outlawz recalled Snoop encouraging Tupac to attack East Coast rappers. Meanwhile, Snoop’s own actions contradicted his later stance against Tupac’s diss track, Hit ‘Em Up.

Publicly, Snoop claimed he was never a fan of the track, calling it divisive. However, archival footage from Tupac’s House of Blues performance shows Snoop in the background, seemingly enjoying the performance as Tupac dissed Biggie. Additionally, leaked recordings suggest that Snoop had his own diss track aimed at Biggie, further complicating his claims of neutrality.

Betrayal and a Changing Allegiance

As tensions between Tupac and Bad Boy escalated, Snoop made a controversial move by aligning himself with Puffy and Biggie, despite previously being targeted by them. While Tupac was in New York publicly advocating for Death Row East, Snoop was engaging with Bad Boy, reportedly expressing a desire to collaborate. This shift in loyalty was seen as a major betrayal by Tupac, leading to their final fallout before Tupac’s tragic death in 1996.

Snoop’s decision to distance himself from the beef may have been a strategic business move, but it left lasting questions about his loyalty. Many within the West Coast community viewed his actions as breaking the unspoken code of solidarity.

Kendrick Lamar’s Commentary

Fast forward to 2024, Kendrick Lamar’s subtle jab at Snoop in GNX serves as a reminder of this history. While Snoop has built a reputation as a peacemaker in hip-hop, Kendrick’s critique suggests that his past actions tell a different story—one of strategic alliances and shifting loyalties.

Snoop Dogg remains an undisputed legend in the rap game, but his history of fence-sitting raises important questions about the blurred lines between diplomacy and betrayal in hip-hop. Kendrick’s callout may have been brief, but it was enough to reignite discussions about Snoop’s role in some of hip-hop’s most defining moments.