“Beautiful” by Snoop Dogg (ft. Pharrell Williams & Charlie Wilson)

Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams’ “Beautiful” is a love song. And it is a mild one as far as Snoop is concerned, as it doesn’t really feature any NSFW language. The chorus centers on the vocalist exclaiming that the addressee is “beautiful” and accordingly his “favorite girl”. 

That latter attribute would imply that he has more than one whom he’s dating. But Snoop is not taking on his quintessential playa role per se. Or put differently, the entire piece can arguably be about one female, though if such is true there would be some issues concerning the logic of the lyrics.

Verse 1

The first verse reads as if the addressee is a lady that Doggy Dogg is now trying to get with. And whereas she may presently have a schoolgirl appearance, she is actually someone he attended school with “back in the days”. In other words, it’s sorta implied that she’s both a mature woman and a younger one at the same time. 

Either way, it would appear that Snoop is even familiar with her family members, i.e. her mom and sis. But anyway, this lady is strongly attracted to him. And they proceed to make love literally, as in the rapper developing feelings for her which are even outwardly visible to his homeys.

Verse 2

The second verse reveals more aspects of his relationship. For instance, the vocalist gets very offended when he sees other dudes trying to kick it to his sweetheart. Additionally, the couple enjoys spending time together ‘blowing dro’, i.e. smoking good grass. 

Snoop is also known for having an affinity for the 1964 Chevy Impala, which he apparently alludes to as the vehicle of choice to chill in with his baby. Indeed the automobile is pimped out, and the two of them sometimes get it on therein.

Moreover, the Doggfather elaborates on some of the physical attributes this woman possesses that makes her the apple of his eye. And that includes her “Black” skin as well as homegirl sporting tropical-like hair (which would perhaps explain why the music video was shot in Brazil). 

And he closes the verse by insinuating that her mother does not approve of their relationship.  But until she comes to shut it down, they’re going to keep doing their thing.

And whereas that assertion may seem insignificant at first, it is actually quite notable when you take the third verse into consideration. 

Verse 3

In this passage, Snoop lets it be known that it’s actually “a college girl” that he’s dating. And this is what we mean by the song presenting logistical challenges. For at the time of its dropping, the D-O-double G would have been in his early 30s. 

So it would be unlikely that someone he went to school with, as alluded to in the first verse, would be in college at that age. Or if she were, she’d more likely a mature learner, not necessarily someone you would refer to as “a college girl”. 

So either this person he’s rapping about is at least a decade younger than himself. Or Snoop himself is taking on the role of someone younger. Or, as hypothesized earlier, there is more than one addressee – considering that Snoop being a “pimp” and all. 

And if such is so, going back to that line in the second verse we would have to conclude that yes, most mothers probably wouldn’t approve of their younger daughters dating the Doggy Dogg. But either way, we can safely presume that Snoop isn’t referring to his wife, Shante Taylor. 

Or perhaps maybe, just maybe, considering the fact that the two of them did go to school together, it is she he is talking about, from a historical perspective, in the first verse. 

But most simply put, this song is about a woman whom the vocalist is primarily attracted to due to her exceptional beauty, and the two of them go on to form an enjoyable relationship.

“Beautiful” Facts

Primary Artist(s): Snoop Dogg
Featured Artist(s): Pharrell Williams and Uncle Charlie Wilson
Writing: This song was written by Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Calvin Broadus
Production: The Neptunes
Release: January 21 of 2003
Album/EP: “Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss”

Genre(s):

• Hip hop
• R&B

Awards/Honors

At the Grammys of 2004, “Beautiful” got its writers nominated for “Best Rap Song Songwriter” while the combined efforts of Snoop, Pharrell and Charlie got them nominated for “Best Rap/Song Collaboration”.

In the same year the song got The Neptunes a Grammy award for “Producer of the Year, Non-Classical”.

Was “Beautiful” a single release?

Yes. It was the second single issued from “Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss”, Snoop’s sixth studio album.

Chart Performance

• Australia (4)
• Ireland (1)
• New Zealand (4)
• UK (8)
• US (6)

Songs that have Sampled “Beautiful”

These are some of the notable songs that contain samples of “Beautiful”:

• Wiz Khalifa – “Something Special” (2014)
• Webbie – “Give Me That” (2005)
• Unwrapped – “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (2004)
• Tory Lanez (ft. Snoop Dogg) – “Beauty in the Benz” (2019)
• Speaker Knockerz – “Yo Racks” (2013)
• Paul Wall and C. Stone – “Bust” (2017)