Snoop Dogg bumpin' onto Rock Band

Those worried that their Rock Band wasn't straight gangsta enough are in luck. Today, Snoop Dogg (real name: Calvin Broadus) announced a deal with MTV that will bring his lackadaisical vocal delivery to Rock Band. According to the agreement, the Harmonix-developed, Electronic Arts-distributed...

Those worried that their Rock Band wasn't straight gangsta enough are in luck. Today, Snoop Dogg (real name: Calvin Broadus) announced a deal with MTV that will bring his lackadaisical vocal delivery to Rock Band. According to the agreement, the Harmonix-developed, Electronic Arts-distributed rhythm series will receive a selection of hits from the back catalog of the rapper-actor-TV-personality. No specific songs were mentioned.

Dogg's Rock Band debut won't be his first appearance in a video game. He lent his likeness and voice to EA's Def Jam Fight for NY (2004) and also made a cameo appearance as himself in Activision's True Crime: Streets of LA (2003). The multihyphenate was also supposed to star in Midway's John Singleton-produced game Fear & Respect (bottom), but the project was unceremoniously canceled in 2006.

In addition to Rock Band, Snoop's deal with MTV will see the network distribute his forthcoming album, Malice in Wonderland, which features appearances by Dr. Dre and Lalo Schifrin, who composed the iconic soundtracks to the classic films Dirty Harry and Bullit. Snoop will also host an all-new weekly variety show called Dogg After Dark on the youth-oriented, virtually music-video-free network.

317 Comments

  • paulette22

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 1:56 am PT

    i love snoopy snoop dog!!

  • fabmob2

    Posted Mar 17, 2009 8:05 am PT

    I think this is the best thing to happen to rock band! Soon as i found out that snoop was going to have some tracks on this game I bought it. I agree that it is a lot of hate on this page snoop doggs music uses a lot of drums in it. so stop all the hate! if you dont want it dont buy the song pack period!!!

  • littlebiged

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 9:41 am PT

    idk bout most of u but it doesnt bother me 1 bit i like the idea and 4 those complaining shut the hell up its gonna be in the dlc u dont have 2 buy it retards now if it was going 2 be a part of the game than u can cry about it but it isnt i like all kinds of music so im cool with this idea like gin and juice or the next episode would be tight even though thats really dr dres song it does got snoop in it

  • rhazer

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 5:46 pm PT

    To brimike3: I don't think it's the fast lyrics, it's that he's afraid that an OPTIONAL pack of content will somehow damage his experience. That's like assuming that the presence of pornography on the Internet will place nudity in this page. I don't really listen to rap - and I loathe Soulja Boi - but I'm willing to try anything once. All I'm saying is, vote with your pocketbooks, people.

  • brimike3

    Posted Feb 20, 2009 11:47 am PT

    uh big boss-91, you've never heard a snoop song...he raps slow as hell...if one song causes your rock band to "ruin" then you need to stop pouring fail juice all over it

  • ARTILLIAN

    Posted Feb 18, 2009 9:34 pm PT

    I would love to see different music in rock band, other than just rock. Come on.... how much fun would it be to to play some snoop dog on the drums?!?! I think it would be a blast!

  • big-boss-91

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 11:26 am PT

    snoop dogg? in rock band???
    last time i heard, rock band is for rock bands? not gangster ****?
    all he does is fast talk to rubbish beat box tune!! this will ruin rock band!

  • clankster4ever

    Posted Feb 17, 2009 7:45 am PT

    Sweet i get my Gin and Juice and a 5 star at the same time.

  • addictedtochaos

    Posted Feb 15, 2009 6:36 pm PT

    I don't care what DLC they give it won't matter until they give me some Fear Factory.

  • ewmgreendawg

    Posted Feb 15, 2009 6:06 pm PT

    Sure everybody is saying "zomg dis sukxorz" but i guarantee you that the day after it comes you you'll be able to find 1000 videos on youtube of white kids playing gin and juice while giggling like school girls. I know because I will be one of them.

  • DiabloNeonX

    Posted Feb 15, 2009 12:31 am PT

    My thoughts on Snoop in Rock Band is what tracks are they going to pick, and how exactly will they fit in Rock Band. Snoop doesn't use a lot of guitar samples. It makes me wonder if these tracks are going to be some sort of rock remix of some classic (and possibly newer) Snoop tracks.

    I personally don't have an objection to Snoop being in there. I remember when people complained about playing the piano parts on guitar on some of the Nine Inch Nails DLC. I can imagine the complaints being much worse for playing some sort of synth sample on guitar on the Snoop tracks. That's what leading me to believe (seeing as I don't work for Harmonix, I don't know but I believe) that these tracks will probably be some sort of remix.

  • Ohaidere

    Posted Feb 14, 2009 12:55 am PT

    Rap died in the 90s.

  • snQQpy1

    Posted Feb 13, 2009 6:23 pm PT

    Based on all the comments I've read so far- this is the reason I've never had a desire to buy RB. I dont like rock music at all- so why waste my money on it? The same reasoning should be applied to Snoop. If you dont like him or his music, dont get it.

    I dont understand all the hate behind some of these comments. Its not like this is being forced on you- you do have a choice.

  • mackey12345

    Posted Feb 13, 2009 5:16 pm PT

    Snoop Dogg in Rock Band? How in the hell does that work?

    I am sorry, I refuse to play the same dam riff on the guitar... over and over for that matter... And speaking as a drummer, there is no challenge when playing around with rap (unless were talking about Beastie Boys, at least they vary it up during then...)...

  • DoomReaper45

    Posted Feb 13, 2009 3:48 pm PT

    Yeah its called Rock band not rap band. More then country, Rap is the worst genre of music. Enough with this. Bring on more rock songs with emerging artists so they get some time in the spotlight. Not some rapper that doesn't fit the game and is already earning millions.

  • senorbusyman

    Posted Feb 13, 2009 9:40 am PT

    SCREW RAP, HIP HOP, AND R&B CUZ THIS IS ROCK BAND NOT RAPPER HERO, BESIDES SNOOPS MUSIC DIED AFTER BIGGIE AND TUPAC DIED! I SUGGEST WE RIOT ABOUT THIS BABBLING WANNABE GANGSTA...WHOS WITH ME!!!

  • DreFullCircle

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 10:18 am PT

    the people who say they should put snoop in dj hero instead of rock band need to check their facts. rock band is an EA game, DJ Hero is an activision game. idiots. stop saying "this is ROCK band." you don't decide what rock band is. get a job at harmonix, then you can decide what rock band is.

  • jjdomo

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 9:52 am PT

    I am f---ing excited about this. While I understand that the game is called "Rock Band" I don't think that means they can only include rock songs. Look, they've already got pop, country, and a number of other songs which can by no means be called rock on there. Why not some rap? I'm all about including any and all types of music for the game. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

    On a side note, I'm not sure how Snoop will work out . . . I don't remember hearing too much guitar on Doggy Style.

  • meboney1985

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 9:44 am PT

    This offically puts Rock Band like two steps back. DJ Hero is a place for Hip-Hop not ROCK BAND. Two key words in the title and Snopp Dogg is neither. WTF! Harmonix. You get MTV to back you and you blow it. Way to drop the drumsticks.

  • ChickenHounk911

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 8:47 am PT

    Sounds more like DJ Hero to me, but I guess we will see...

  • David_Kniffin

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 6:31 am PT

    And to everyone who is complaining about this: We've already had a year's worth of Rock DLC and now they're saying they want to give us one week of Hip-Hop and you all complain like Rock was never offered before this... get over it and just don't buy it if you don't like it. You guys are probably the type who refuse to download anything anyways, so what's the big deal?

  • David_Kniffin

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 6:29 am PT

    romavictor, I guess you didn't see that GH:WT had Flo Rida and T-Pain as DLC already...

  • richioso

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 1:46 am PT

    @Arlondiluthel

    Ignorance is a horrible colour on you.

  • hassy94

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 1:40 am PT

    Arlondiluthel said "Rap is technically not music. It does not fit the definition of music.
    1 a- the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity. b- vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony Above is part of the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of music.
    Most specifically, definition 1B supports this. Rap "music" (for the vast majority) does not have a melody or harmony, it's just timed poetry with background beats. Therefore, rap fails to fall into the definition of music."
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Woah, woah, woah, hold up there smart-ass. As I read it, it says "sounds having RHYTHM, melody, or harmony." You managed to just cross out rhythm out and just read "melody or harmony", and as anyone can clearly hear, almost all rap music has rhythm to it, it's not just someone talking.

  • reignman80

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 12:38 am PT

    Arlondiluthel Posted Feb 12, 2009 8:00 am GMT Rap is technically not music. It does not fit the definition of music.
    1 a- the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity b- vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony Above is part of the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of music.

    Most specifically, definition 1B supports this. Rap "music" (for the vast majority) does not have a melody or harmony, it's just timed poetry with background beats. Therefore, rap fails to fall into the definition of music

    Ok now this has to be the dumbest statement I have heard thusfar in the year 2009. Rap music i mean rap isn't actually music, first of all the jiberish u had to back u probably made no sense to most the people who read it. Secondly music is a wide spectrim and with time has changed and in time will continue to change. There are melodys all over rap music, and not just in the beats u do often get it some styles of rappin, now lastly lets pretend your statement is actually right, that rap/hip-hop isn't actually music, now suppose u have a pop or rnb song with a rap vocal part , now are u telling me for the 30 seconds or more this rap is done, that the song isnt actually music but as soon as it breaks out, bang its music again, lol, u need a long hard look at yourself, Oh and about the game and snoop dogg, cant see it working, its ROCK band, they should have used N.E.R.D cos they the closest band that cojoins the 2 genres, or even the ROOTS like someone earleir said cos they are actually a band. Now that will probably make me depart with my money and actually buy the game

  • Arlondiluthel

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 12:05 am PT

    If they put "Drop it Like it's Hot" on there... I'm sorry but I just cannot be held responsible for what I'm going to do. (yes, RvB reference was intended)

  • Arlondiluthel

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 12:00 am PT

    Rap is technically not music. It does not fit the definition of music.
    1 a- the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity b- vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony Above is part of the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of music.

    Most specifically, definition 1B supports this. Rap "music" (for the vast majority) does not have a melody or harmony, it's just timed poetry with background beats. Therefore, rap fails to fall into the definition of music.

  • Arlondiluthel

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 11:51 pm PT

    the only way I'd get Snoop Dogg DLC for Rock Band is if it was free. And even then it's definitely a "maybe". Depends on the songs I guess.

  • AKABigD

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 10:48 pm PT

    I think I have an interesting perspective on this. I've listened to hip-hop most of my life, but I've also been a Rock Bander since RB1's release. Rock Band has actually opened me up to Rock and it's various incarnations (Never thought I'd get hooked on a band called Queens of the Stone Age...). My ipod has to be one of the most mixed up on earth because of this...who follows Boston's Foreplay/Long Time with Common's Universal Mind Control? I do.

    I can understand how Snoop's appearance might raise a few eyebrows...he's definitely the last rapper I'd ever expect to get a spot on RB. But what's the big deal? It's DLC...don't like it, then don't buy it, end of story. drangel and bouddajay, I'd love to see The Roots get a spot on RB, they've got the perfect vibe for it. I also think N.E.R.D. could get a few good tracks in as well, especially from the Seeing Sounds album. I'd drum to Love Bomb, Spazz, & Happy all day...

  • ratavaquera

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 9:37 pm PT

    Rapper Hero

  • DestructobotMk3

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 9:20 pm PT

    Why not go the whole hog, and create a new game called Hip-hop star or somesuch? Leave Rock Band alone... in the meantime, I'm sure that hypothetical game would sell in the millions because of current demographic interests.
    As an aside though, it's amusing to hear all the rants about this bit of news. Don't like Snoop Dogg - then skip the track, or play through it once if that's necessary to advance in the game. Agreed Snoop Dogg in no way qualifies as 'rock', but that doesn't mean the entire game should be flamed because of it.

  • missonrs

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 6:21 pm PT

    When iread this artical the first thing I had to do was check out the comments. I love stupid flame wars. But anywasy I won't buy it but I won't complain I'm getting ten, nothngs shocking so its all good.

  • Olafr

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 4:33 pm PT

    Well I guess after seeing this I think it's about time I did a wee rant.
    Ok now don't get me wrong i respect that fact that the creators of Rock Band are trying to get other people involved in their game and expand their market (seeing as how the economy is dropping lately), But what simple thing i can't seem to wrap my mind around is this game is mis-labeled "Rock Band" I mean you can't have a game called "Rock band" in it and not include some of the best rock/metal bands in the world, Which includes some Kiss, Black Sabbath, Manowar, Ronnie James Dio( Not including this shocks me), Twisted Sister, Judas Priest (We had too pay for this mind you) And W.A.S.P. And as said it's great to try to get over people interested in the game but please at least make an effort to deliver on the "Rock" part of the game before we add other things.

  • enix165

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 3:44 pm PT

    Yeah, but, Scrobble...I highly doubt there's much of anything in the way of guitar in Snoop Dogg's "music". XD And the bass is probably minimal too...

  • Srobble

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 3:15 pm PT

    Personally, I don't like the music or the genre. But I'm supporting the variety we're getting. The "its ROCK band" argument has been useless since we got NIN and country. If it has guitar, bass, vocals and drums, and someone will buy it, it has a place in Rock Band. And to those saying its the last straw, you're "giving up on Rock Band", it's one weeks DLC, and RB is still getting twice as much per month than GH:WT. We've gone from country to classic rock to nu-metal within a month, and with classic albums confirmed from blues, grunge and alternative, and a metal pack being due, there's got to be something there worth getting for everyone.

  • Zyk22

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 2:45 pm PT

    Hip-hop is not a disease AdventFFVII. It is a kind of music, whether or not it appeals to you is another. It isn't a 'scourge', although it is appealing to the wrong demographic as someone else stated.
    Anyways, I'm still hoping for a 'Ska Band' game. I noticed that GH:WT and RB2 had some ska on it, but it was labeled as ALTERNATIVE! . They labeled other songs indie, which is a form of alternative too, but it got its own title

  • UnknownPerson55

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 1:34 pm PT

    They made a stupid pun about Music Television not playing any music! HAHAHA!
    but really, if the songs are enjoyable to play on rockband, then im all for it.

  • AdventFFVII

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 1:25 pm PT

    Just shows that hip hop is corrupting everything like the scourge it is....

    ROCK band people, not some ignorant rhymes about killing your fellow man an taking part in drug use and debauchery.

    We need to stop this at the source, and completely cleanse this world of all creators and followers of the disease known as Hip-hop....

  • spasticus162

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 1:14 pm PT

    erm are we already forgettin that the beastie boys are on rockband.
    If its a track that has some funky guitar and a good baseline it could work.
    Im not a fan of rap,but frankly i like a bit of everything on this game,so all my friends and family can play the game with me without feelin excluded.
    This is preferable to another impossibly hard dragonforce track or whatever.

  • raghraghragh

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 12:59 pm PT

    This is just bizarre, but AWESOME because of it.

    Though I'm not sure if Rock Band's main demographic would be interested in this. After all, it is called ROCK Band.

  • Icedburden123

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 12:54 pm PT

    It Seems People REALLY Don't Understand That They DONT HAVE TO BUY IT. If You Dont Like it, don't buy it. If you don't buy it, you're not supporting it. This Just Adds More Variety, so it can only be good.

  • Wii60monkeysPWN

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 12:44 pm PT

    u people are making too big of a deal out of this, rap/hip hop dont suck and i know that snoop dog isnt rock but they are just trying to make the game appeal for other people that maybe like rock band but dont like the music that much and want more variety. i dont plat rock band bt the idea could only be an improvement

  • simonsworld

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 12:40 pm PT

    erm....hes suppose to be a controversial rapper,who more mainstream that god these days,snoop dog dont rock, he sleeps in his dog basket,what next? james blunt unplugged....? goodness gracious me.

  • tjdeep_2007

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 12:32 pm PT

    epic PHAIL!!!!!!

  • macaque12

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 12:03 pm PT

    That's why those developers can screw a game all the time!

    That's the worst game idea of all time

  • FallenAngel

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 11:58 am PT

    In what way is Snoop rock, or a band?

  • PirateGaz

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 11:35 am PT

    what the hell. this is just not right....rap sucks...i know i'll probaly get burned for saying that but it's called "rock band" for a reason,

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 11:30 am PT

    If they bring The Roots, then I'd think about buying the game. But Snoop's sound is heavily based on funk, and funk music has lot of the core instruments of a band.

  • acerx7

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 11:15 am PT

    smashmypumkin is right. This is not my thing, but it might be fun for the singer and IT IS better than another fall out boy track or a jonas brothers track! I would still rather have more real rock bands in this game and less of that poppy stuff

  • clyde46

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 11:12 am PT

    Clue's in the name guys. ROCK BAND!

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