Snoop's scrapped 1997 EP, Doggumentary

[sweetdudejim]

So, while writing a big thread about Snoop leaving Death Row in the '90s and going to No Limit and all that I got to thinking about the Doggumentary EP that was supposed to follow Tha Doggfather before whatever Snoop's third album would end up being.

I'm not sure it was ever confirmed but the EP was supposed to feature 4 new tracks, those being "Soldier Story", "Midnight Love", "Gangsta Walk" and "Once Again." along with 4 remixes, one each for "Snoop's Upside Ya Head", "Vapors", "Doggfather" and "Snoop Bounce." Obviously this wouldn't have been some huge hit, but I think it possibly could've gotten Snoop a possible mainstream hit with "Midnight Love" if things had been done properly.

Anyways, does anybody know why this ultimately didn't come out? Was it legalities? Suge not believing in Snoop's new work (yes, I know he was in jail but I'm sure what was or wasn't coming out was still on him)? 1997 never made all that much sense for me as far as Death Row went. Why was Nate Dogg's debut album ultimately shelved at the one of the last possible moments? Why wouldn't they put out a new EP by their biggest living star artist that also could've probably helped promote Tha Doggfather? It doesn't make sense. But then nonetheless, Rage finally gets her album released. And while I think she's a great rapper, the album predictably tanked. How'd that one get released, while the guy from "Regulate" can't get his album out?

[D-TalkX]

How old are you?

[sweetdudejim]

How old are you?

Old enough to remember those days. Why? Am I a nerd posting about dumb niche stuff? If so, color me surprised, as I figured posting on a forum whose main focus is producers and rappers largely from the '90s is what all the truly hip, plugged in people are doin'.

[HighEyeCue]

If I remember correctly I believe Snoop had already left Death Row and signed with No Limit so it was scrapped

[Mat]

If I remember correctly I believe Snoop had already left Death Row and signed with No Limit so it was scrapped

there was a few copies that was released overseas then shelved again same with Nate's G Funk Classic Death Row version

[HighEyeCue]

there was a few copies that was released overseas then shelved again same with Nate's G Funk Classic Death Row version

yeah I remember Nates

that was actually released in the US as well but pulled from the stores after 1 week

[OG Snoopaveli]

https://www.discogs.com/release/26382716-Snoop-Doggy-Dogg-Doggumentary

https://www.discogs.com/release/17948851-Nate-Dogg-G-Funk-Classics-Vol-1

[sweetdudejim]

If I remember correctly I believe Snoop had already left Death Row and signed with No Limit so it was scrapped

Nah, I specifically remember it was supposed to be released in '97, it might have even had a release date. "Midnight Love" had a video on TV. And I'm pretty sure the EP not getting released was another reason for Snoop to abandon ship.

there was a few copies that was released overseas then shelved again same with Nate's G Funk Classic Death Row version

If there were copies released overseas, wouldn't we have seen a single copy by now? I think it only got as far as promo copies around, with no artwork or anything.

As far as Nate's album....does anybody know the story? Did it literally make it out into stores? I have no memory ever seeing that in early '97 or anything.

[Duck Duck Doggy]

Nah, I specifically remember it was supposed to be released in '97, it might have even had a release date. "Midnight Love" had a video on TV. And I'm pretty sure the EP not getting released was another reason for Snoop to abandon ship.

If there were copies released overseas, wouldn't we have seen a single copy by now? I think it only got as far as promo copies around, with no artwork or anything.

As far as Nate's album....does anybody know the story? Did it literally make it out into stores? I have no memory ever seeing that in early '97 or anything.

I think he means the Nate album was released in Europe. I remember Infinite saying he saw ads for the Nate album coming out in The Source. I remember someone explaining why it wasn’t released in the US but don’t remember the reason

[Eddz]

I have a CD copy still of Nate Dogg's album on Death Row packed away somewhere.

[dnjp4life]

I have a CD copy still of Nate Dogg's album on Death Row packed away somewhere.

I have mine, still listen to it often and one of my most cherished hard copies. Increasingly rare to find for a decent price nowadays.

[OG Snoopaveli]

I have mine, still listen to it often and one of my most cherished hard copies. Increasingly rare to find for a decent price nowadays.

Nothing under 100$
Im still lookin for it. I want to add it to the collection.

[HighEyeCue]

https://www.discogs.com/release/26382716-Snoop-Doggy-Dogg-Doggumentary

https://www.discogs.com/release/17948851-Nate-Dogg-G-Funk-Classics-Vol-1

do you know if they released a CD version of Doggumentary?

I'm also looking for the clean version of Kuruption!...someone claimed to have it on discogs years ago but never responded to my messages

[Sccit]

i have Nate's G-Funk Classics Death Row release

it was released in Canada and Europe, but shelved before it dropped in the US

Doggumentary never came out because i believe Snoop and Suge friction started right around then ... it was also pulled at the last minute. midnight love was on the radio out in LA and i believe record stores had posters promoting the release, but it never made it to press.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/death-row-records-snoop-doggy-dogg-74547365

[D-TalkX]

Old enough to remember those days. Why? Am I a nerd posting about dumb niche stuff? If so, color me surprised, as I figured posting on a forum whose main focus is producers and rappers largely from the '90s is what all the truly hip, plugged in people are doin'.

Naw, it wasn't intended to be disrespectful I just had a couple follow up questions so I wanted to see if you were old enough to remember some of the liner notes and the other stuff going on at that time...The other thing I completely gaffed on haha but I'll message you as soon as I remember.


Nate was never officially signed to Death Row apparently. His original album that was being promoted was called 'Dogg of a Different Breed'...The lead single was "Never Leave Me Alone"....things got hectic at the row at this time and affected many of the planned releases, specifically Nate's, Rage's and Doggumentary. Dre left, Pac passed, Snoop was getting shit for not having Pac's back the way some felt he should and he was sort of black balled or a target from some rivals. He was technically not under contract and then was hosting for Power 106 I believe and releasing premiere's as part of his employment there. I'm not certain, but I think this was to help keep him afloat during all the uncertainty. I think it was Damizza that set it up. Eventually, things got hotter, he made his way south to get away for a bit, linked with Master P, who did the deal with Suge. (Similar situation that Suge did for Dre at Ruthless).


Tha Doggfather struggled out the gate commercially and Midnight Love was produced by Daz (Now Death Row's overseer) to spark sales. It was a closer sound that Snoop's fan's became used to.


Dogg of a Different Breed was taken/stolen and expanded to 2-Discs to become G-Funk Classics Vol. 1&2. It's an incredible album but was never officially released in the States like Scitt mentioned. Many of the songs are poorly mixed and mastered and were likely demos/scratch takes that they just ended up releasing.