Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 4, 1998 | |||
Recorded | 1997–1998 | |||
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Length | 79:28 | |||
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Snoop Dogg chronology | ||||
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Singles from Da Game Is to Be Sold Not to Be Told | ||||
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Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told is the third studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg (his first without Doggy in the middle of his name). It was released on August 4, 1998, by No Limit Records and Priority Records. It is his first album following his departure from Death Row Records in January 1998. It is the first Snoop Dogg album to have notable affiliates such as Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, Warren G and others absent. It was also his first album to be released under a slight change to his stage name "Snoop Dogg" for contractual reasons.
This section needs additional citations for verification .(August 2019) |
In September 1996, shortly before the release of Snoop's second album Tha Doggfather, his friend and label-mate at Death Row Records, Tupac Shakur, was murdered in a drive-by shooting that many fans and other rappers believed to be a part of rising tensions between the East and West Coast hip hop scenes.
In March 1997, noted East Coast rapper The Notorious B.I.G., popularly known as "Biggie Smalls", was also murdered in a drive-by shooting which was attributed by fans to the tensions between the coastal hip hop scenes.
Snoop Dogg began to fear for his own safety due to the murders of Tupac and Biggie and also because Death Row Records was acknowledged by its artists in retrospect to be an unprofessional place during this time, with label founder Suge Knight incarcerated and many people with criminal pasts associated with the label.
In 1997, No Limit rapper Mystikal invited Snoop to be on his record Unpredictable on a song called "Gangstas" with label head Master P.
Snoop developed a good relationship with the No Limit rappers, and after another guest appearance on No Limit artist Silkk the Shocker's LP, Snoop was reported to have been signed to No Limit by Master P in March 1998. [2] "Snoop Dogg is universal so he can fit into any camp-especially a camp that knows how to handmake shit," Snoop said at the time. "And, No Limit hand makes material. They make material fittin' to the artist and they know what type of shit Snoop Dogg is supposed to be on. That's why it's so tight." [3]
The lead single, "Still a G Thang," was released on July 3, 1998. It was produced by Meech Wells. It is the sequel to the 1992 hit single "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang", which appears on Dr. Dre's debut solo album, The Chronic (1992). The song debuted at number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking the first Hot 100 entry as lead artist by Snoop since "Gin and Juice," in 1994. The song peaked at number 19 on the chart.
The second single, "Woof," featuring Mystikal and Fiend peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [4] |
E! Online | B+ [5] |
Entertainment Weekly | C [6] |
FFWD | [7] |
Iowa State Daily | [8] |
Los Angeles Times | [9] |
Robert Christgau | C+ [10] |
Rolling Stone | [11] |
The Source | [12] |
Spin | 5/10 [13] |
The album featured mostly No Limit artists and was a departure from Snoop Dogg's first two albums which were strictly West Coast.[ specify ] Unlike his two previous two studio albums, Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told received generally negative to moderate reviews with some noting it as one Snoop Dogg’s weaker albums. [14] Q gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, saying, "Dogg's vocals can actually verge on the sublime....in glorious slow motion, and the undercurrent vibe is distinctly soulful." [15]
Elliott Wilson of The Source gave it 3.5 mics out of 5, saying, "[f]ew MCs from the West have ever gotten as much acceptance and acclaim from outside regions... No Limit's latest soldier isn't trying to rock the boat with his third album... the vibrant vocalist is very happy to be with rap's top squad." [12]
Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone gave the album 2 out of 5 stars, saying that Snoop's work lacked the confidence and originality displayed on his earlier albums. [11]
Music aggregator site Album Of The Year gives "Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told" an average critic score of 42 out of 100, ultimately placing it as the lowest critic-rated album of 1998 on the site. [16] [17]
Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 520,000 copies in its first week. [18] It is Snoop Dogg's third consecutive number-one album in the United States. [19] In its second week, the album remained at top on the Billboard 200, selling 246,000 copies. [20] The album spent five consecutive weeks on the top ten of the Billboard 200. [21] The album was certified 2× Platinum on October 22, 1998. [22] On November 18, 1998, the album had sold 2.5 million copies in the United States, ranking as the 39th best-selling album of the year. [23] As of March 2008, the album had sold over 4.4 million copies in the United States, making it the second best-selling album by Snoop Dogg in the country, behind only Doggystyle (1993). [24]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Snoop World" (featuring Master P) | C. Broadus, P. Miller, C.S. Lawson | KLC | 5:20 |
2. | "Slow Down" (featuring Mia X) | C. Broadus, M. Young, O. Vickers, A. Thomas, J. Eugene, C. McIntosh, S. Nichol | O'Dell | 4:10 |
3. | "Woof!" (featuring Fiend and Mystikal) | C. Broadus, R. Jones, M. Tyler, C. Miller, V. Miller, M. Phipps, J. Tapp, Awood Johnson, E. Knight, C. Smith, C. Bazile, P. Miller, W. Collins, G. Clinton Jr. | Craig B, Master P | 4:22 |
4. | "Gin & Juice II" | C. Broadus | Carlos Stephens | 3:36 |
5. | "Show Me Love" | C. Broadus, C. Wilson, M. Jordan | DJ Pooh | 3:53 |
6. | "Hustle & Ball" | C. Broadus | O'Dell | 3:26 |
7. | "Don't Let Go" | C. Broadus | DJ Darryl | 3:47 |
8. | "Tru Tank Dogs" (featuring Mystikal) | C. Broadus, M. Tyler, C.S. Lawson | KLC | 3:55 |
9. | "Whatcha Gon Do?" (featuring Master P) | C. Broadus, P. Miller | Master P | 2:37 |
10. | "Still a G Thang" | C. Broadus | Meech Wells | 4:20 |
11. | "20 Dollars to My Name" (featuring Fiend, Master P, Silkk the Shocker, and Soulja Slim) | C. Broadus, R. Jones, P. Miller, V. Miller, J. Tapp | Master P | 4:09 |
12. | "D.O.G.'s Get Lonely 2" (featuring Jon B) | C. Broadus, T. Kelley, B. Robinson, J.D. Buck, M. Wells | Meech Wells, Snoop Dogg | 3:15 |
13. | "Ain't Nut'in Personal" (featuring C-Murder and Silkk the Shocker) | C. Broadus, C. Miller, A. Sausa, V. Miller, C. Bazile | Craig B | 3:37 |
14. | "DP Gangsta" (featuring C-Murder and Eddie Griffin) | C. Broadus, C. Miller, E. Griffin, C. Bazile, S. Arrington, L. Bonner, C.C. Carter, B. Hank, O. Jackson, R. Middlebrooks, W. Morrison, B. Napier, A. Noland, R. Parker, L. Patterson, M. Pierce, G. Webster, E. Wright, A. Young | Craig B | 4:53 |
15. | "Game of Life" (featuring Steady Mobb'n) | C. Broadus, A. Sausa, C. Stephens | Carlos Stephens | 3:52 |
16. | "See Ya When I Get There" (featuring C-Murder and Mystikal) | C. Broadus, C. Miller, M. Tyler, K. Clizark, M. Wells | Meech Wells, Keith Clizark | 3:20 |
17. | "Pay for Pussy" (featuring Big Pimpin') | C. Broadus, D. Williams | Snoop Dogg | 1:43 |
18. | "Picture This" (featuring Mia X) | C. Broadus, M. Young, C. Bazile | Craig B | 2:31 |
19. | "Doggz Gonna Get Ya" (featuring Mac) | C. Broadus, M. Phipps, C.S. Lawson, A. Colandreo, L. Parker | KLC | 4:59 |
20. | "Hoes, Money & Clout" | C. Broadus | Soopafly | 3:21 |
21. | "Get Bout It & Rowdy" (featuring Master P) | C. Broadus, P. Miller, C.S. Lawson | KLC | 4:22 |
Total length: | 79:28 |
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Canada (Music Canada) [42] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [43] | Silver | 60,000^ |
United States (RIAA) [22] | 2× Platinum | 2,085,000 [24] |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Doggystyle is the debut studio album by American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. It was released on November 23, 1993, by Death Row and Interscope Records. The album was recorded and produced following Snoop Doggy Dogg's appearances on Dr. Dre's debut solo album The Chronic (1992), to which Snoop contributed significantly. The West Coast style in hip-hop that he developed from Dre's first album continued on Doggystyle. Critics have praised Snoop Dogg for the lyrical "realism" that he delivers on the album and for his distinctive vocal flow.
R&G : The Masterpiece is the seventh studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 16, 2004, by Doggystyle Records, making its first on Star Trak Entertainment and Geffen Records. Recording sessions took place from November 2003 to September 2004 in each of several recording studios. The album's production was handled from The Neptunes, The Alchemist, Lil Jon, Hi-Tek, Warryn Campbell, and L.T. Hutton, among others.
Tha Last Meal is the fifth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released through No Limit, Doggy Style, and Priority Records on December 19, 2000. It was his third and final studio album released on No Limit, marking this record his first album on his newly founded label, called Doggy Style, alongside Priority in the United States. The album title makes reference to being the last record partially owned by his former label, Death Row Records. The album was produced by Dr. Dre, Timbaland, and Soopafly, among others. The album includes four official singles: "Snoop Dogg ", "Lay Low", "Loosen' Control", and "Wrong Idea". The album was generally met with positive reception.
Tha Doggfather is the second studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 12, 1996, by Death Row and Interscope Records. After the success of his debut album Doggystyle (1993), Snoop was arrested and charged with murder and in 1995, spent time preparing for the case that went to trial. On February 20, 1996, he was cleared of all charges and began working on his second album without Dr. Dre providing work as a record producer. This was Snoop's final album on Death Row until 2022, when he acquired the rights to the Death Row trademarks from MNRK Music Group, releasing BODR the same year. This would also be his last album under the moniker Snoop Doggy Dogg before it was shortened to Snoop Dogg. Recording sessions took place from February 1996 to October 1996, with Suge Knight as the executive producer on the album, alongside the additional production from several record producers such as DJ Pooh, Daz Dillinger, Soopafly and L.T. Hutton; as well as guest appearances from Charlie Wilson, Kurupt, Tray Dee and Warren G, among others.
Death Row: Snoop Doggy Dogg at His Best is the first greatest hits album that includes his hits and also includes 6 never before released songs from Snoop Dogg's Death Row Records days. It was released on October 23, 2001, by Suge Knight. It was re-released on March 20, 2006.
Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss is the sixth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 26, 2002, by his Doggystyle label, alongside Priority and Capitol Records. Following his departure from the No Limit Records, he later signed a recording contract to Capitol through Priority Records. The album was supported by two singles, both featuring Pharrell: "From tha Chuuuch to da Palace" and "Beautiful", the latter also featuring Charlie Wilson.
No Limit Top Dogg is the fourth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released May 11, 1999, by No Limit and Priority Records. Following the mixed reception of his previous album, Snoop began to work again with Dr. Dre and returned to the west coast sound of his earlier career while on Death Row Records. The album was generally met with positive reception with many critics citing it as a return to form and his best album since Doggystyle (1993). Many praised the production work for the album with the tracks made by Dr. Dre being highlighted as well as Snoop's delivery while criticism was mainly aimed at the length of the album, the No Limit features, and the lack of new lyrical content. The Source placed the album on their list of the "Top 10 Best Albums of the Year" for 1999.
Tha Blue Carpet Treatment is the eighth studio album by West Coast hip hop recording artist Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 21, 2006, by Doggystyle Records and Geffen Records. Recording sessions took place from November 2005 to September 2006 in several recording studios and artists such as Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, DJ Battlecat, DJ Pooh, Timbaland, Danja, Mark Batson, Terrace Martin, and Mr. Porter appear on the album, among others.
Snoopified - The Best of Snoop Dogg is the third greatest hits album by Snoop Dogg. It was released on September 28, 2005 by Priority Records. It contains mostly singles, charted and well-known songs from his albums released by No Limit Records and Priority. It has two additional tracks, "Hell Yeah" from the WWF Aggression compilation (2000) and "Ride On" from the soundtrack Caught Up (1998).
Ego Trippin' is the ninth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on March 11, 2008 by Doggystyle Records and Geffen Records. The album debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200, selling 137,000 copies in its first week. Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from music critics.
Malice n Wonderland is the tenth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg; it was released on December 8, 2009, by Doggystyle Records, Capitol Records and Priority Records. Production for the album took place from January 2009 to September 2009 at several recording studios and the production was handled by Battlecat, The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, The Neptunes, Teddy Riley, Lil Jon and Terrace Martin.
Mac & Devin Go to High School is the collaborative soundtrack to the film of the same name, as well as the collaborative studio album by American rappers and film stars Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa. It was released on December 13, 2011, by Atlantic Records. The album features guest appearances from Bruno Mars, Juicy J, Curren$y and Mike Posner. The album is supported by the lone hit single, "Young, Wild & Free". The album received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Snoop's and Khalifa's technical rapping abilities and production choices. The soundtrack debuted at number 29 on the US Billboard 200, and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Reincarnated is the twelfth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg, his sole release using the reggae persona Snoop Lion. Berhane Sound System and RCA Records released the album April 23, 2013.
Doggumentary is the eleventh studio album by American West Coast hip hop recording artist Snoop Dogg. It was released on March 29, 2011 on the Priority Records record label. The album was produced by Battlecat, The Cataracs, Gorillaz, David Banner, THX, DJ Khalil, Fredwreck, Jake One, David Guetta, Mike Dean, Jeff Bhasker, Lex Luger, Meech Wells, Mr. Porter, Rick Rock, Rick Rude, Scoop DeVille, Scott Storch, Warryn Campbell, Kanye West, DJ Reflex, among others.
Bush is the thirteenth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on May 12, 2015, through Doggy Style Records and I Am Other, and distributed by Columbia Records. The album was produced by Pharrell Williams with additional production by Chad Hugo. It features guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Stevie Wonder, Charlie Wilson, Gwen Stefani, T.I. and Rick Ross. Bush was the first album by the rapper after his return to the hip hop moniker Snoop Dogg.
"Woof" is a song by American rapper Snoop Dogg featuring Fiend and Mystikal. was released on October 26, 1998, as the second and final single of his third studio album Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told, with the record labels No Limit Records and Priority Records.
"Still a G Thang" is a song by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on August 18, 1998 as the first single of his third studio album Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told, with the record labels; No Limit Records and Priority Records. It was produced by Meech Wells. It is the sequel to the 1992 hit single "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang", which appears on Dr. Dre's debut solo album, The Chronic (1992).
MP Da Last Don is the seventh studio album by American rapper Master P. It was released by No Limit Records, Priority Records and EMI. It originally debuted at number 112 on the Billboard Top 200 chart as several stores sold the album before its official release, but then it peaked at number one on the Billboard Top 200 chart, selling 495,000 copies in the first official week. It gained mixed reviews. It was also released about the same time as the straight-to-video short film, MP Da Last Don. It was promoted as his final studio album, although Master P returned to solo recording with Only God Can Judge Me in 1999. The album was certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA with over four million copies sold, making it the best-selling album of Master P's career. It features guest appearances by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, E-40, Silkk the Shocker, UGK, Snoop Dogg and Soulja Slim.
I Wanna Thank Me is the seventeenth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on August 16, 2019, by Doggy Style Records and Empire Distribution. It was supported by an eponymous single, "I Wanna Thank Me", released on July 3.
BODR is the nineteenth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on February 11, 2022, through Death Row Records, as his third studio album released on the label following a 26-year lapse since Tha Doggfather (1996). The album was distributed by Create Music Group. It features guest appearances by Nas, T.I., Sleepy Brown, Nate Dogg, The Game, DaBaby, Uncle Murda, Wiz Khalifa and Lil Duval and production by Battlecat, Bink, DJ Green Lantern and Hit-Boy, among others.