CRWN: Elliott Wilson x Snoop Dogg

Elliott Wilson sits down with Snoop Dogg for one of his epic CRWN interviews, Monday, August 8th, 2016. 

I am not a Snoop Dogg fan, well at least I wasn't. 

My knowledge of Snoop's catalogue is about as expansive as a goldfish's memory. As far as his music goes, "Beautiful" is one of my all-time favorite songs, so much so that I requested my college sweetheart make it his ringtone for me on his phone. And he did, of course. Aside from that, I can say that at present moment, August 9th, 2016, if any DJ were to spin "Drop It Like It's Hot" my ass will reenact the booty popping that ensued in the classic 2004 music video. I guess it's safe to say that Pharrell and Snoop era is my favorite Snoop era, if I even qualify to have a favorite. 

So as I'm seated in the Highline Ballroom on Monday evening to catch legendary hip-hop journalist, Elliott Wilson interview the equally legendary Snoop Dogg I was comfortable letting the writer next to me know that I was compelled to come there solely to see Elliott do his thing. 

My love for Elliott actually began with his wife, Danyel Smith, former Editor-In-Cheif of VIBE. Since I discovered her, I've always followed her career closely (I still have the issue of VIBE in which next to her monthly penned letter from the editor there's a photo of the two of them from their wedding day, they're my ultimate power couple) so, by association I began to follow his as well. It was his 2013 CRWN interview with my Carolina Hero, J. Cole, that piqued my interest and made me hone in on Elliott as a journalist. The way he got Jermaine to open up and the way he effortlessly flowed through the interview in such a conversationalist fashion for nearly two hours blew my mind. That is what people like myself have Journalism degrees for. This man understands the art of the interview. 

On Monday evening Elliott takes the stage, introduces himself and shamelessly reminds the crowd that he's the best hip-hop journalist in the game, he's been doing this for over 20 years and that they're about to witness artistry at work. Snoop joins him seated next to him in a plush, red chair and they get down to business. 

I knew that they would talk about his music and get into some incredible stories about his expereinces in the industry. What I didn't expect to walk away with is an understanding of just how well spoken, community oriented and superiorly charming Snoop is. A few things in particular stood out to me during this interview:

1. Snoop's Foray Into Social Justice: He recalled a time not too long ago when rapper The Game called up several members of the hip-hop community to meet at his house at 5am. With this gathering happening shortly after another senseless killing of a black American at the hands of police Snoop, like others, showed up dressed and ready for war. The Game read the overall tone of the group and suggested they head to the local precinct and "reintroduce" themselves to the local police department. To their surprise a new class of graduating officers along with the chief were very receptive of their efforts. Snoop and a few  others got to sit face-to-face with the officers discussing what's needed to make a real change in their communities. 

2. Marijuana Reform: Snoop Dogg and weed are synonymous. Snoop knows this, Elliott addressed it, we all laughed. But what the audience didn't expect is what Snoop said after the laughter died down. He acknowledged that marijuana is a very lucrative industry right now, and for certain people it always has been. Now that corporations will begin to see profit from selling weed when there are so many in prison for doing the exact same there should be some efforts made to be sure those who are behind bars for marijuana related offenses are released and able to benefit from this growing industry as well. 

3. Never About Me, Always About We: Snoop constantly references his desire to make music collaboratively and with his team in mind. As he discussed his move to No Limit he talks about how he felt more of a family atmosphere there. He talks about doing rap covers with the overall goal of resurfacing great artists who may no longer be in the forefront. He talks about his current tour with Wiz Kahlifa and how it's a partnership on stage and on the road. He's always about the team. That's commendable. 

4. Snoop, You're Hilarious: Snoop's quite the storyteller, and he has plenty to tell. Throughout the evening he kept the audience laughing as he effortlessly impersonated industry vets: Fat Joe, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, even Stevie Wonder. 

Thank you Elliott for using your skills to make a Snoop Dogg fan out of me. 

The full interview will air on MTV2.