Snoop Dogg’s ‘Doggystyle’ Turns Heads – The Dark Side of the Classic Album

Snoop Dogg’s debut album Doggystyle may have defined West Coast rap, but its explicit lyrics and demeaning portrayal of women sparked major backlash. Is it a classic or a product of toxic masculinity? 

Snoop Dogg Faces Backlash Over ‘Doggystyle’ and the ‘Bitches’ of the Streets

On this date in 1993, Snoop Dogg—or as he was known back then, Snoop Doggy Dogg—dropped his highly anticipated debut album Doggystyle on Death Row Records, forever changing the rap game. With the album produced by Dr. Dre, Doggystyle became an instant classic, riding the wave of success following Dre’s The Chronic. But what seemed like a West Coast victory quickly became controversial, as the album’s raw, unapologetic lyrics and explicit themes, especially towards women, drew heavy criticism and backlash from many.

Controversial Themes and Raw Street Narratives

The album’s cover itself was a visual statement—an animated image of a streetwise dog, hunted by “the opps” and chased by “bitches” for his notorious “doggystyle.” This reference to a famous sex position was just the beginning of the controversy. Tracks like “It Ain’t No Fun (If The Homies Can’t Have None)” featuring Nate Dogg, Daz, and Kurupt, took the notion of “doggystyle” into a hyper-masculine and sexually explicit realm. The bitches Snoop rapped about weren’t just an abstract concept—they were real women who, according to the album’s narrative, were part of the gritty, violent world that Snoop inhabited.

The Backlash: ‘Bitches’ Pursuit

But with success came even more controversy. Critics and fans alike blasted Snoop Dogg for his portrayal of women in such a demeaning light. The term “Bitches” (meaning “prostitute” in Vietnamese) was often hurled at him by those who felt his lyrics reduced women to nothing more than sexual objects. This label haunted Snoop throughout his career, but especially during the release of Doggystyle, as some perceived the album’s content as toxic and disrespectful. The dogg persona Snoop portrayed—arrogant, aggressive, and driven by sexual conquest—quickly became a point of contention for anyone who wasn’t enamored with his persona.

Snoop Dogg’s Struggle With the Label and Industry Pushback

Despite the criticisms, Doggystyle was a commercial juggernaut. Tracks like the legendary “Gin and Juice” and “Lodi Dodi” became anthems, while the album’s darker side continued to spark heated debates in the media. Even the Source magazine gave it a four-mic rating, falling short of the coveted Five Mics due to the perceived rush of its production, but acknowledged the album’s impact on the rap industry. However, the tension surrounding Snoop’s “doggystyle” image persisted, with some insiders labeling him a “victim” of his own persona, while others argued it was all part of the West Coast rap mythos.

A Classic, But Not Without Its Shadows

Despite the backlash, Doggystyle remains one of the most iconic and pivotal albums of the 90s, shaping West Coast rap and setting the stage for the East Coast/West Coast rivalry. But while the album’s place in hip-hop history is cemented, Snoop Dogg’s complex relationship with the album and the consequences of his ‘dogg’ persona are still a source of controversy. The pursuit by critics and the “bitches” of the streets has become a part of Snoop’s legacy, but it’s clear that the legacy of Doggystyle is far from simple—groundbreaking but toxic, powerful yet divisive.