Rappers on The Pyramid Stage, ey? Two years ago Michael Eavis’ decision to name Jay-Z as a headliner brought with it a barrage of criticism, fronted by Manchester’s favourite hook nosed boff head Noel Gallagher.
So it is, two years later, another rapper is set to bring the gang signs to Worthy Farm. Enter stage right; Snoop Dogg. This time round, thanks in part to Jay-Z successfully bossing The Pyramid, there is no uproar amongst the festival goers. Granted he’s not a headliner.
In fact, the only real concern was whether ‘The Doggfather of Rap’ would be allowed to enter the country. “It’s been a while since I been here,” grins the lanky rapper, right before set opener ‘The Next Episode’ bowls in.
The stage is hammered, yet each attendee makes enough space to bounce both arms up and down like Snoop’s favourite Chevrolet Impala ’64.
Radio favourites like ‘Signs’ are present, but it’s the early 90’s classics like ‘Bitch Please’ and ‘Gin & Juice’ that bring out the ‘old’ Snoop. The swagger is still there, it always has been, but it’s a little less misogynistic than it used to be.
‘Beautiful’ is dedicated to “all the beautiful women”. There’s a lot more contentment and relaxation to the Snoop of today, a far cry from the man who has stood trial for murder. This might have something to do with copious inhalation of “some of that sticky icky”. His words, not mine.
Dizzee Rascal and Damon Albarn were in attendance at the side of the stage to watch the D O double G strut across The Pyramid as if he owned the place. The power stance, the pout, the slight tilt of the head, it all added to the general feeling that people were baring witness to something special.
The habitual dedication to Tupac Shakur is thrown in too, although not many people know the songs that Snoop is paying homage too.
Then Snoop shows a great deal of humility in performing ‘Pass Out’, bringing Tinie Tempah on to the stage.
Tempah brings an increase in pace to the set as he runs around frantically high fiving everybody in sight, probably counting his lucky stars that he has the good fortune to grace the main stage at Glastonbury with a bonafide legend like Snoop.
‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ brings a chorus of “Snoooooops” from the crowd before ‘What’s My Name’ brings this amazing set to a close.
Snoop’s not finished there though. Before departing he asks three things of Glastonbury; 1.) The first thing it has to do in morning? “Brush yo teef!” 2.) Promote peace and love. 3.) “SMOKE WEED EVERY DAY!”
A wave of laughter engulfs Snoop as he exits, the smoothest man anybody is likely to see all weekend. He isn’t the only one to exit, as the throngs of crowds depart leaving what seems to be half the number of people to watch festival main stays Vampire Weekend.
Such is the draw of the rake like rapper. A festival highlight if ever there was one.
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