Unveiling the Musical Roots: Influential Singers Who Inspired Snoop Dogg’s ‘Tha Doggfather’
Snoop Dogg’s second studio album, “Tha Doggfather,” released in 1996, showcased a new musical direction for the rapper, blending West Coast G-funk with elements of funk, soul, and R&B. While many artists influenced Snoop Dogg and shaped the album’s sound, three singers in particular stand out: Charlie Wilson, Nate Dogg, and Teena Marie.
Charlie Wilson’s smooth R&B vocals are all over “Tha Doggfather,” most notably on the title track “Doggfather” and “Up Jump tha Boogie.” His contributions added a melodic contrast to Snoop’s rapping, creating a signature sound for the album. Wilson’s work with The Gap Band in the 1970s and 1980s, producing hits like “Oops Upside Your Head,” likely informed the album’s funk and soul elements. Wilson’s vocals gave “Tha Doggfather” a timeless quality, drawing from classic soul while fitting perfectly within the G-funk genre.
While not strictly a singer, Nate Dogg’s harmonies, melodic flow, and laid-back delivery were hugely influential on Snoop Dogg and West Coast hip hop as a whole. Tracks like “Groupie” featuring Nate Dogg showcase their collaboration at its finest. Nate Dogg’s smooth, melodic style on G-funk classics like “Regulate” by Warren G likely informed how Snoop Dogg approached his vocals on “Tha Doggfather.” Nate Dogg’s signature brand of West Coast G-funk, blending funk, R&B, and hip hop, provided a blueprint that Snoop Dogg followed and built upon for his sophomore album.
Teena Marie’s soulful vocals on “Up Jump tha Boogie” added another layer of melodic contrast and femininity to the predominantly male album. Marie’s work, which blended R&B, funk, and pop, often intersected with West Coast hip hop, making her a natural guest on “Tha Doggfather.” Marie’s fusion of different genres, like on her 1980 hit “Square Biz,” foreshadowed the musical melting pot that Snoop Dogg created for his album. Her smooth vocals, reminiscent of classic soul and R&B singers like Aretha Franklin, provided an authentic foundation for Snoop to build his funk-infused rap songs upon.
While Charlie Wilson, Nate Dogg, and Teena Marie were three of the most influential singers for “Tha Doggfather,” Snoop Dogg also drew inspiration from a wider range of artists. Rappers like Dr. Dre, Tupac Shakur, and Kurupt shaped the album’s lyrical themes and overall sound. Meanwhile, funk and soul giants like Parliament-Funkadelic and James Brown informed the album’s funky instrumentation and grooves. Together, all of these influences helped Snoop Dogg create a cohesive fusion of West Coast G-funk, soul, and R&B – defining a new chapter in his musical journey on “Tha Doggfather.” The album’s success demonstrated that Snoop Dogg could expand his sound while staying true to his West Coast roots, paving the way for his long and varied career that continues to this day.
