Who Am I (What’s My Name)? by Snoop Dogg Lyrics Meaning – A Deep Dive Into Hip-Hop’s Reflection of Self
Lyrics
Snoop Doggy, Dogg
From the depths of the sea, back to the block
Snoop Doggy Dogg, funky as the, the, The D.O.C
Went solo on that ass, but it’s still the same
Long Beach is the spot where I served my cane
Follow me, follow me, follow me, follow me, but don’t lose your grip
Nine-trizzay’s the yizzear for me to fuck up shit
So I ain’t holdin nuttin’ back
And motherfucker I got five on the twenty sack
It’s like that and as a matter of fact (Ra-ta-tat-tat)
‘Cause I never hesitate to put a nigga on his back
Yeah, so peep out the manuscript,
You see that it’s a must, we drop gangsta shit
What’s my motherfuckin’ name?
Snoop Doggy, Dogg (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Snoop Doggy, Dogg (The bomb)
Da-duh-da-da-dah
Do-do-do-do, doo-doo-doo-da-dahhh
It’s the bow to the wow, creepin’ and crawlin’
Yiggy yes y’allin, Snoop Doggy Dogg in
The motherfuckin house like everyday
Droppin’ shit with my nigga Mr Dr. Dre
Like I said, niggas can’t FUCK with this
And niggas can’t FUCK with that
Shit that I drop ’cause ya know it don’t stop
Mr. One Eight Seven on a motherfuckin’ cop
Tic toc never the Glock just some nuts and a cock
Robbin’ motherfuckers then I kill dem blood claats
Then I step through the fog and I creep through the smog
‘Cause I’m Snoop Doggy (Who?) Doggy (What?) Doggy
Snoop Doggy, Dogg
Snoop Doggy, Dogg (The bomb)
Bow wow wow yippy yo yippy yay
Bow wow wow yippy yo (the bomb)
Bow wow wow yippy yo yippy yay
Bow wow wow yippy yo
Now just throw your hands in the motherfuckin’ air
And wave the motherfuckers like ya just don’t care
Yeah roll up the dank, and pour the drank
And watch your step (Why?) ’cause Doggy’s on the gank
My bank roll’s on swoll
My shit’s on hit, legit, now I’m on parole, stroll
With the Dogg Pound right behind me
And up in yo bitch, is where ya might find me
Layin’ that, playin that G Thang
She want the nigga with the biggest nuts, and guess what?
He is I, and I am him, slim with the tilted brim
What’s my motherfuckin’ name?
Snoop Doggy, Dogg (The bomb)
Snoop Doggy, Dogg
Snoop Doggy, Dogg (The bomb)
Snoop Doggy, Dogg
Da-duh-da-da-dah
Do-do-do-do, doo-doo-doo-da-dahhh (The bomb)
Da-duh-da-da-dah
Do-do-do-do, doo-doo-doo-da-dahhh (The bomb)
Doggy Dogg, Doggy Dogg, Doggy Dogg
What is, his name? Snoop Dogg, and the Dogg Pound
Ohhh, Snoopy Dogg, Snoopy Dogg, Snoopy Dogg
Yeah yeah I know his name
C’mon Snoopy, c’mon Snoopy
And the Dogg Pound
Snoopy Dogg, Snoopy Dogg
Snoopy Dogg
(Dog, nasty dog, doggy dog)
Amidst the rhythmic bounce and iconic G-funk grooves lies a profound exploration of identity and status in the concrete jungle of rap; ‘Who Am I (What’s My Name)?’ is more than just a lyrical joyride, it’s Snoop Dogg’s introspective query into the self. When Snoop Doggy Dogg dropped this seminal track in 1993, it charted a cultural shift in the hip-hop narrative.
On the surface, it’s a braggadocious anthem, a soundtrack to the laid-back lifestyle of Long Beach gangsta rap. But peer through the smoke, and you’ll discover a layered message in those smooth verses. The song is a declaration of self amidst the chaos, a reiteration of name as a means for respect, and a barking claim of territory in the ever-competitive rap game.
The Genesis of a G-Funk Legend
To understand the heart of ‘Who Am I (What’s My Name)?’, one must trek back to Snoop Dogg’s origins. Emerging from Long Beach, California, Snoop’s narrative begins with a tale of transformation—from a local hustler to a rap phenom. The song’s opening lines transport us from the depths of the sea to the block, symbolizing Snoop’s rise from the underground to mainstream consciousness.
With a nod to The D.O.C., a key figure in the west coast scene, Snoop positions himself as a reincarnation of the funk-infused storytelling that The D.O.C. was known for. By ‘serving his cane’ in the same locale where he fostered his art, Snoop reinforces the authenticity of his narrative—the gritty streets that fuel his verses.
Claiming the Throne Through Name Recognition
At its core, ‘Who Am I (What’s My Name)?’ is an assertion of dominance. Snoop Dogg stamps his name with authority throughout the track, his moniker serving as both question and answer. It’s a reminder that in hip-hop culture, your name is your brand, your honor, and your legacy—all rolled into one.
Snoop’s repetitive inquiry ‘What’s my motherfuckin’ name?’ insists on recognition. He doesn’t just want you to remember his name; he demands that it resonates as synonymous with the genre itself. Every utterance becomes an exercise in branding—an emphasis that Snoop Doggy Dogg is the synonym for West Coast rap royalty.
The Unspoken Narrative of Gangsta Rap Reverie
Beyond the bravado and the G-funk beats is a hidden tale of struggle and survival. Through references to dealing, confrontations with the law, and the omnipresent threat of violence, Snoop paints a picture of the harrowing landscape he’s navigated.
This landscape, as described in ‘Who Am I (What’s My Name)?,’ is marred with the harsh realities that confronted many youths in the early ’90s urban America. By claiming he’s ‘Mr. One Eight Seven on a motherfuckin’ cop,’ Snoop alludes to penal codes and street justice, revealing the undercurrent of defiance against institutional oppression that runs through gangsta rap.
Lyrical Hooks and Memorable Mantras
Snoop Dogg’s song is anchored by catchy mantras. ‘It’s like that and as a matter of fact’ transitions into a boastful display of firepower and lyrical prowess. These lines stick with the listener, repeating like a chant long after the song has ended. This technique isn’t just for retention; it’s a musical affirmation of Snoop’s self-asserted legend status.
Another unforgettable piece is his interpolation of George Clinton’s ‘Atomic Dog’ with the transforming ‘Bow wow wow yippy yo yippy yay’ into an anthem for the streets. This connection is a bridge between generations of funk and rap, further solidifying Snoop’s persona within the larger tapestry of African-American music tradition.
The Eternal Echo of Influence and Legacy
In retrospect, ‘Who Am I (What’s My Name)?’ is prophetic; it predicted Snoop Dogg’s enduring impact on the world of music. The track’s presence still reverberates, and its influence upon the identity formation in hip-hop lingers on decades later.
Snoop’s journey from street soldier to global icon mirrors the trajectories of countless rappers who see themselves in his story. By concluding with an affirming yet simple ‘What’s my motherfuckin’ name?’, Snoop encapsulates the power of self-identification in hip-hop and the cultural resonance of claiming one’s space through the unyielding power of art and expression.
