Live Review: Snoop Dogg + Bone Thugs-N-Harmony + Warren G + Tha Dogg Pound + Afroman @ Rogers Arena, Vancouver – February 22nd 2019

American rapper Snoop Dogg brought his ‘Puff Puff Pass Tour’ to Vancouver, BC on Friday night.

The festivities started off with L.A. musician Afroman strutting on to the stage in a blue and white, marijuana-leaf pattern suit, shimmering-gold pointed shoes, and a big-hearted smile. He made for a fun opening slot as he stirred the onlookers to life with funny quips and a handful of his infamous songs, most notably ‘Because I Got High’ from his eponymous 2001 album.

As the number of guests increased, a thick, sticky haze flowed through the air.

Next up was West Coast hip hop duo Tha Dogg Pound featuring Death Row Records alumni Kurupt and Daz Dillinger. Things got a little heavier as their punchy, lyrical assault catalyzed a sea of bobbing heads, rocking shoulders, and pumping fists. Both lyricists were fierce in their flow as they strolled around the stage with their microphones clutched tightly to their lips.

Daz Dillinger repeatedly took time during his interludes to smoke a fat joint he held lightly in his left hand.

Things were starting to get rowdy at Rogers Arena, it was making for a great night.

Midway through the set, a few audience members began throwing bags of weed towards the stage. They never really made it there but I saw a few smiling photographers in the media pit that were more than happy to help cleanup the mess.

Long beach rapper Warren G was next to take over the stage. His set was full of danceable tracks that had the crowd standing and shaking their asses to the beat.

The moment Regulate started, tt was a nineties flashback for me as I remembered days from my youth spent cruising in my lowered Toyota Corolla. I watched with a grin as the tracks punchy, head-ringing bass resonated in my chest, Warren G prowling the stage with an ease and sense of happiness.

There was a short lull between acts, which gave most patrons enough time to find some relief for their full bladders and chase down some refreshments to quench their thirst.

Cleveland-bred hip hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony were up to the plate.

Three members from the original band lineup were in attendance; Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, and Krayzie Bone. They stormed the stage and brought their historical harmonies for all to enjoy.

While they may not have had pitch perfect, album-like vocals for every song, they were on point for the majority of their set. Key nineties hits like “We Want Eazy” and “California Love”, were well received.

They closed things out with their top hip “Crossroads”, which was met with raucous applause and an excited crowd singing and screaming along to every single lyric.

Snoop closed out the night.

He swaggered out from the darkness sporting a vintage skate-style Vancouver Canucks sports jersey, a warm smile painted across his face.

That was it, we were off.

A row of talented fly girls danced behind him as he delivered a bevy of hits, from “Beautiful” to “Young, Wild & Free” to “Nuthin But A G Thang”.

The venue got smokier and smokier as the majority of onlookers and musicians sparked their green sacrament.

Kurupt and Daz Dillinger joined on the stage adding their sharp lyrical bits to the set.

The highlight of the show, and the song with largest reception, was “Gin & Juice”, from his 1993 debut album Doggystyle. The entire space echoed with thousands of wailing voices, ringing out in unison- “Rollin’ down the street, smokin’ endo/Sippin’ on gin and juice, laid back/With my mind on my money/And my money on my mind”. It was magic.

While I don’t partake in the green medicine, I do appreciate just how happy and hungry I was when I let the show. I, and thousands of others, walked forth into the cold night with smiles on our faces and happiness in our hearts.

Snoop always puts on a good show but this one felt a little more special. It felt jovial and a majority of people around me found joined together.

Thank you to the musicians and their teams for such a wonderful night.

Until next time.

Photos © Jamie Taylor // Cryptic Photography