Snoop Dogg – ‘Bible Of Love’ album review

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For all of the perceived controversy that has been highly publicized at various points along Snoop Dogg‘s now twenty-five year-plus career—an endeavor that has seen him enjoy much success in fields of entertainment spanning music and beyond—it’s hard to completely write him off because, well, he’s mostly such a doggone likeable character. So, at the announcement of a brand new gospel album in the works and the subsequent double-take (or two…or three)—we were more than intrigued. Upon learning that the likes of Tye Tribbett, The Clark Sisters, Faith Evans, and none other than one of gospel music’s all-time greats, Rance Allen, were in on the project—complete with an RCA Inspiration label stamp of approval—all bets were off. Folks, this is a true gospel record—a, real, take-you-to-church affair that will have you checking to make sure you’ve got your robe on right or tie tied tight just a few movements into the thirty-two track, double-disc set (that’s right, 32 total tracks, with just one short intro and interlude—that equals to a whole-lotta “church,” ya’ll).

Across the breadth of the album, one striking takeaway is its diversity in production—perhaps reflective of Snoop’s church worship experiences of his upbringing, and a nod to his late grandmother Dorothy Tate? Tracks like “Love For God,” “Going Home” (both featuring Uncle Chucc, The Zion Messengers & K-Ci), and “Pure Gold” (feat. The Clark Sisters) puts the listener in an old wooden pew somewhere in Long Beach, Cali. circa the late-seventies. And, just when you begin to wonder when Snoop will take the chancel area, Bible Of Love (buy) hits you with classic So Cal hip hop Doggy Dogg-meets-Sunday morning on “Always Got Something To Say,” “Sunshine Feel Good,” “Sunshine,” and  “Change The World” (feat. John P. Kee). To sum it all up in one word, Bible Of Love is surprisingly impressive—okay, that’s two words, but there’s so much music and so many iconic featured artists here, it’s hard to compress our reaction… One interesting standout is how seamless Snoop’s signature silky spitting lives so comfortably within the palette of such classic gospel timbres, causing us to wonder, is Snoop the Dogg Father of the current hip hop church movement?

Launching the imprint All The Time Entertainment alongside with this release, Snoop has vowed to use it and his massive platform to “provide more opportunities for gospel music artists.” We’re not sure gospel music necessarily needs his help, but if he and his label continues to produce the type of positive, unifying messages and stellar sounds found here, we’ll be more than welcoming. Now that he’s got our attention, Bible Of Love leaves us with even more questions about this “character,” but namely, and after all this time: Are we all finally getting to know the real heart of Calvin Broadus, Jr.?

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