Lavender (Nightfall Remix)

Last updated

"Lavender (Nightfall Remix)"
Lavender (Nightfall Remix).jpg
Single by BadBadNotGood featuring Kaytranada and Snoop Dogg
from the album Neva Left
ReleasedMarch 12, 2017 (2017-03-12)
Genre
Length3:15
Label
Songwriter(s)

"Lavender (Nightfall Remix)" is a 2017 song by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It is a remixed version of the BadBadNotGood (BBNG) song "Lavender" with lyrics added which addressed the issue of police brutality in the United States. It was released with a music video which caused some controversy because of a scene depicting a mock assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump. The song was included in Snoop's 2017 album Neva Left .

Contents

Background

During a video game event in October 2016, the American rapper Snoop Dogg and American YouTuber Jesse Wellens paused for a smoking session. During this time, Wellens proposed a music video with clowns, inspired by the shooting of Philando Castile. Three days later, Snoop sent Wellens his own version of "Lavender" with lyrics referencing police brutality. Wellens later told Billboard , "When I originally wrote the idea of the video, the video of [Philando Castile] getting shot came out online and it was causing riots. We just kind of wanted to bring the clowns out, because it's clownery." [1]

In late October 2016, Snoop previewed his new song regarding police brutality on Instagram, sampling the beat of BBNG's "Lavender". [2] [3] Snoop said the song was meant to be "not controversial but real – real to the voice of the people who don't have a voice." [1]

Music video and release

The song was released on March 12, 2017 with a music video directed by Jesse Wellens and James DeFina. It depicts a world of clowns and "doggs". [4] The beginning of the video shows a clown family and follows the father (played by Michael Rapaport), who smokes weed while stressed. After the father encounters a clown policeman, he is shot dead with a glitter gun while a bystander films the incident. [1] The video cuts to "The Clown House", where Ronald Klump, a clown parody version of Donald Trump, [1] holds a press conference calling for the deportation of all "doggs". In the video, Snoop Dogg sees Klump and his henchmen outside, and he grabs a gun and goes outside to aim it at Klump. When Snoop pulls the trigger, a flag with the word "bang" pops out, and Klump is later seen in chains. [4]

The song was included in Snoop's album Neva Left , released on May 19, 2017. [5]

Controversy

Conservative politicians and commentators criticized the video's mock assassination of Ronald Klump, a parody of Donald Trump. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) said, "We've had presidents assassinated before in this country, so anything like that, people should really be careful about that kind of thing." [6] Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said "I think it really is in poor taste to be making fun of murdering someone. Particularly assassinating the president." [7] On March 15, 2017, President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter, "Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!" [8] Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen called the video "totally disgraceful" and called for Snoop to apologize. [9] Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle suggested "killing" Snoop Dogg and Bow Wow over the video. [10] The U.S. Secret Service told The Wrap that the agency was "aware of" the video. [11] Jesse Wellens later said on the H3 Podcast that the Secret Service interviewed him and Snoop Dogg about the video. [12]

On March 16, Snoop posted a video responding to the controversy, saying, "Now they wanna ask me questions and interview me, but guess what? I've got nothing to say, mate." [13] Some artists, including T.I. and Talib Kweli, defended Snoop's video. Common compared it to political statements made by Public Enemy and KRS-One. [14] Bow Wow tweeted, "Ayo @realDonaldTrump shut your punk ass up talking shit about my uncle @SnoopDogg before we pimp your wife and make her work for us," and deleted the tweet within 24 hours. [15] [16] While discussing his reaction to the video's ending, Ice-T said, "I was nervous. He's messing with the line. We'll see how this weighs out, but I roll with Snoop. I thought it was a good video." [17]

Critical reception

The rapper Treach called the video "artistic" and compared its comedy to Saturday Night Live skits. [17] Spencer Kornhaber compared the reactions to the video to remarks made by Madonna at the Women's March on Washington about bombing the White House, arguing that they both show how strong political statements are used by one's political enemies to "portray Trump's critics as wackos." [4] Amy Zimmerman of The Daily Beast wrote that the music video was "noticeably bereft of punchlines" and criticized its depiction of Trump, writing it "isn't amusing...so much as disturbing and deadly." [18] Matthew Dessem, writing for Slate , called the video's execution "not bad" and said the video's clown gags gave it "a lurid effect that actually feels about right for this moment in time." [19]

Charts

Chart (2017)Peak
position
US Jazz Digital Songs ( Billboard ) [20] 2

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snoop Dogg</span> American rapper (born 1971)

Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., also known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, media personality, and actor. His initial fame dates back to 1992 following his guest appearance on Dr. Dre's debut solo single, "Deep Cover", and later on Dre's debut album, The Chronic that same year. Broadus has since sold over 23 million albums in the United States, and 35 million albums worldwide. His accolades include an American Music Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and 17 Grammy Award nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bow Wow (rapper)</span> American rapper, actor (born 1987)

Shad Gregory Moss, better known by his stage name Bow Wow, is an American rapper and actor. His career began upon being discovered by rapper Snoop Dogg in 1993 at the age of six; five years later, he signed with record producer Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings, an imprint of Columbia Records. As Lil' Bow Wow, he released his debut studio album, Beware of Dog (2000) at age 13, and his second album, Doggy Bag (2001) the following year. Both met with critical and commercial success, the albums peaked at numbers ten and 11 on the Billboard 200, respectively.

<i>Doggy Fizzle Televizzle</i> 2002 American TV series or program

Doggy Fizzle Televizzle is a sketch comedy show that was produced by and starred rapper Snoop Dogg. It aired on MTV in 2002 until 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snoop Dogg discography</span>

The discography of Snoop Dogg, an American rapper, consists of 19 studio albums, five collaborative albums, 17 compilation albums, three extended plays, 25 mixtapes, 175 singles, and 16 promotional singles. He has sold over 12.5 million albums in the United States and 37 million albums worldwide. He also has garnered 14 top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bow Wow (That's My Name)</span> 2001 Single by Lil Bow Wow featuring Snoop Dogg

"Bow Wow (That's My Name)" is the second single from Lil' Bow Wow's debut album Beware of Dog. It features fellow rapper Snoop Dogg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vapors (song)</span> 1988 single by Biz Markie

"Vapors" is a song co-written and performed by American hip hop musician Biz Markie, issued as the fifth single from his debut studio album Goin' Off. The song peaked at #80 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sensual Seduction</span> 2007 single by Snoop Dogg

"Sensual Seduction", also known as "Sexual Eruption", is a song by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 20, 2007 as the first single of his ninth studio album Ego Trippin', with the record label Geffen Records. The song was produced by Shawty Redd. Snoop Dogg sings the majority of the song using Auto-Tune. The video's style visually references the style of Roger Troutman, as part of its retro imagery.

<i>Ego Trippin</i> 2008 studio album by Snoop Dogg

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neva Have 2 Worry</span> 2008 single by Snoop Dogg

"Neva Have 2 Worry" is a song by American rapper Snoop Dogg featuring Uncle Chucc, taken from Snoop Dogg's ninth studio album Ego Trippin'. It is produced by Snoop and Terrace Martin, was released on February 19, 2008, as the third single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Rock (Snoop Dogg song)</span> Snoop Dogg single

"I Wanna Rock" is the third official single from American rapper, Snoop Dogg's tenth studio album, Malice n Wonderland. It was released digitally on iTunes on November 17, 2009, after the second single "That's Tha Homie". The song was produced by Scoop DeVille and mixed by Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg released it on a mixtape titled "I Wanna Rock" on November 23. The song was confirmed by BBC Radio 1 to be released in the UK on March 15, 2010 but is now listed as "Coming Soon".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Do Is Win</span> 2010 single by DJ Khaled featuring T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Rick Ross

"All I Do Is Win" is a song from DJ Khaled's fourth studio album Victory (2010). It was the third single from the album. The track features American rappers T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Rick Ross. It was released on February 8, 2010, along with "Put Your Hands Up". The song peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young, Wild & Free</span> 2011 single by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa featuring Bruno Mars

"Young, Wild & Free" is a song by American rappers Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, featuring vocals from American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. It was released on October 11, 2011, by Atlantic Records as the lead single from the soundtrack of the film, Mac & Devin Go to High School, in which the rappers star in. The track was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Brody Brown, Snoop Dogg, and Wiz Khalifa. The track samples two other songs, "Toot It & Boot It" (2010) and "Sneakin' in the Back" (1974), songwriting credits were added for a total of seventeen. Produced by the Smeezingtons during a freestyle studio session and never meant to be heard; Aaron Bay-Shuck considered it a potential hit and asked the trio to finish it. After the song was finished, Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa were added.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Leave Me Alone</span> 1996 single by Nate Dogg featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg

"Never Leave Me Alone" is a song by American singer-songwriter Nate Dogg, featuring vocals from rapper Snoop Dogg. The song is the first single released from Nate Dogg's debut studio album G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 (1998), and contains an interpolation of the 1972 song "Where Is the Love", written by Ralph MacDonald and William Salter, and recorded by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. The song was produced by Kurupt and executive produced by Suge Knight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merry Jane</span> Cannabis-focused website

Merry Jane is a cannabis-focused digital media platform launched by rapper Snoop Dogg in 2015, with media entrepreneur Ted Chung. The site features editorial content on the business and politics of the cannabis industry, original video series as well as a database for identifying cannabis strains and dispensaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Smith (record producer)</span>

Mike Smith is a Cuban American recording artist, record and television producer. He is a Number 1 Billboard charting artist and his music has allegedly had over two billion streams with over five million units sold. He is best known for being one of the stars and main judge on BET's original programming series One Shot and for co writing the hit song "A Hard Working Man" by Snoop Dogg, Billy Ray Cyrus, and The Avila Brothers. This song has been featured on NFL Thursday Night Primetime and CBS NFL Today. He is also well known for numerous hit singles including the Top 5 Billboard hit "Beautiful Day" and Billboard Top 40 hits "Hardworking Man" and "You're My Kind Of Beautiful".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tunnel Vision (Kodak Black song)</span> 2017 single by Kodak Black

"Tunnel Vision" is a song by American rapper Kodak Black, released on February 17, 2017, by Dollaz N Dealz Entertainment, Sniper Gang, and Atlantic Records as the second single from his debut studio album, Painting Pictures (2017). Produced by Metro Boomin, Southside, and Cubeatz, the track peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100. The track samples the song "El Aparecido" by Inti-Illimani, a Chilean folk band, part of the Nueva canción movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lara Trump</span> American television producer (born 1982)

Lara Lea Trump is an American former television producer who has co-chaired the Republican National Committee since March 2024. She is married to Eric Trump, the third child of former U.S. President Donald Trump. She was the producer and host of Trump Productions' Real News Update and a producer of Inside Edition.

"Lavender" is a song released by Canadian jazz instrumental hip hop band BadBadNotGood (BBNG) as part of their 2016 album IV. The song has been adapted into two music videos. The official video was released by BBNG in November 2016. The American rapper Snoop Dogg added lyrics to the song and released the "Nightfall Remix" version in 2017. The music video to this version caused some controversy because of a scene depicting a mock assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump.

<i>Neva Left</i> 2017 studio album by Snoop Dogg

Neva Left is the fifteenth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on May 19, 2017, for digital download and July 7, 2017, for purchase on CD, by Doggystyle Records and Empire Distribution. Snoop Dogg also enlisted a variety of guest vocalists including Redman, Method Man, B-Real, KRS-One, and frequent collaborators Charlie Wilson and Wiz Khalifa, among others. Meanwhile, production was handled by Dr. Evo, DJ Battlecat, Musik MajorX, League of Starz, and Rick Rock, among others.

<i>Make America Crip Again</i> 2017 EP by Snoop Dogg

Make America Crip Again is the second extended play by American rapper Snoop Dogg. The EP was released on October 27, 2017, by Doggystyle Records and Empire Distribution. It features guest appearances from Chris Brown, O.T. Genasis and October London, among others, with production from Kid Capri and Dâm-Funk, among others. It was preceded by two singles, "Dis Finna Be a Breeze!" and "M.A.C.A.".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Platon, Adelle (March 12, 2017). "Snoop Dogg on 'Lavender' Video Parodying Trump: 'Nobody's Dealing With the Real Issue With This F—king Clown as President'". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  2. Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (October 19, 2016). "Listen To A Snippet Of A New Snoop Dogg Song Which Samples Kaytranada And BADBADNOTGOOD's "Lavender"". The Fader. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  3. Welsh, April Clare (October 20, 2016). "Snoop Dogg samples BadBadNotGood and Kaytranada on new anti-police brutality song". Fact . Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 Kornhaber, Spencer (March 15, 2017). "Snoop Dogg's Anti-Trump Video Becomes a Pro-Trump Prop". The Atlantic. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  5. Whaley, Natelegé (May 19, 2017). "Snoop Dogg's 'Neva Left' album: Download and streaming options for new release". Mic. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  6. Hensch, Mark (March 13, 2017). "Rubio: 'Snoop shouldn't have done that'". The Hill . Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  7. Mene, Reid (March 15, 2017). "Ted Cruz Just Weighed in on Snoop Dogg's 'Trump Shooting' Video—Says Goes to Bigger Problem in America Right Now". Independent Journal Review . Archived from the original on July 8, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  8. Coscarelli, Joe (March 15, 2017). "Donald Trump Condemns Snoop Dogg on Twitter for Satirical Video". The New York Times. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  9. Kraw, Victoria (March 16, 2017). "President Trump lashes rapper Snoop Dogg over controversial video". news.com.au . Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  10. "Fox News host says Secret Service should 'kill' Snoop Dogg and Bow Wow after Donald Trump 'assassination' video". The Independent. March 20, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  11. Kenneally, Tim (March 14, 2017). "Secret Service Has Its Eye on Snoop Dogg Over Video Featuring Mock Trump Shooting". The Wrap. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  12. Goldstein, DG (March 1, 2018). "Jesse Wellens Explains Why He Was Interrogated by the Secret Service Alongside Snoop Dogg". Dexerto. Archived from the original on July 8, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  13. Matsyszczyk, Christ (March 16, 2017). "Snoop Dogg: 'Nothing to say' to Trump after mock shooting video". CNET. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  14. Whaley, Natelegé (March 16, 2017). "Hip hop comes to Snoop Dogg's defense in Donald Trump feud". Mic . Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  15. Chasmar, Jessica (March 16, 2017). "Bow Wow deletes tweet threatening to 'pimp' Melania Trump". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  16. Platon, Adelle (March 16, 2017). "Here's Every Artist Who Has Defended Snoop Dogg's Trump-Referencing 'Lavender' Video". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  17. 1 2 Platon, Adelle (March 14, 2017). "Ice-T & Treach Call Snoop Dogg's Trump-Mocking Video 'Artistic,' Not Threatening". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  18. Zimmerman, Amy (March 13, 2017). "Snoop Dogg Mock-Assassinates 'Clown' President Trump in New Music Video". The Daily Beast. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  19. Dessem, Matthew (March 13, 2017). "Snoop Dogg Gets a Load of These Clowns in Washington in His New Video". Slate . Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  20. "Jazz Digital Songs week: April 1, 2017". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2017.