Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre Collaborate with Charity
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have sampled a song from a London charity that supports individuals with learning disabilities for their new album, “Missionary.”
- READ MORE: Snoop Dogg ‘Missionary’ Review: An Impressive Sequel to a Hip-Hop Classic
New Single Ahead of Album Release
Last month, the duo unveiled an energetic new single titled “Outta Da Blue,” in anticipation of the album’s release on December 13 via Death Row Records.
It has now come to light that they sampled the song “Watermelon Fantasy,” which was initially released by the charity Daylight Studio in 2018.
The original track was performed by three artists with learning disabilities and produced by the founder of Daylight Studio along with one of its trustees. You can listen to it and “Outta Da Blue” below.
Impact of the Collaboration
Tina Bruins, a participant in the project who resides in supported housing in north London, expressed her surprise in an interview with the Guardian: “I was shocked. I remember thinking, ‘Whaaat?’ I didn’t know it was going to be released by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. I thought, no, I thought it was a fantasy.”
She continued: “It was a good shock because it kind of proves that I write good music. I’m proud of (Watermelon Fantasy) because Snoop Dogg took over the management of it.”
Jack Daly, a recording engineer, and Oliver Price, a songwriter and music producer, co-created “Watermelon Fantasy” in 2017 along with Bruins, Mandy Priddis, and Cedric Letshaw Olembo, through music classes at Daylight, a day center for adults with learning disabilities operated by Islington Council.
“This is the most important thing that has ever happened to me, and I’m pretty sure I can say it made this the best year of my life,” Daly shared.
Price added: “I still can’t believe this is real. It’s kind of divine destiny because the song is called ‘Outta Da Blue,’ and it came out of the blue, and it’s like we’re living in a watermelon fantasy. It’s all quite funny actually.”
He further remarked: “I am delighted with the charity and raising awareness of people with learning difficulties. They are often put in a box, separate from society, and no one ever sees or works with them… But they have a lot to offer, as we have just demonstrated.”
Proceeds from this collaboration will be shared equally among Bruins, Priddis, and Olembo, with production shares being donated back to the charity.
“Missionary” serves as the follow-up to Snoop’s 1993 debut album, “Doggystyle.” The album features a range of guest artists, including the late Tom Petty, Jelly Roll, 50 Cent, and Eminem.
In its review, NME awarded the album four stars, noting it as “an underwhelming sequel to a hip-hop classic.”
The review stated: “Dre and Snoop have forgotten about the legacy they created for the West Coast with ‘Doggystyle,’ and – while there are flashes of fun – the unforgettable collection barely scratches the surface of their legendary status.”
https://www.nme.com/news/music/snoop-dogg-and-dr-dre-sampled-song-by-london-learning-disabilities-charity-on-new-album-missionary-3825178?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=snoop-dogg-and-dr-dre-sampled-song-by-london-learning-disabilities-charity-on-new-album-missionary
