The First-Ever Collaboration of Legends
December 13, 2024, will go down in hip-hop history as the release date of Missionary, Snoop Dogg’s highly anticipated album produced entirely by Dr. Dre.
Among its standout tracks is Gunz N Smoke, an unprecedented collaboration bringing together Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, and Eminem on the same song for the very first time.
Though these artists have worked in various combinations before, such as Eminem and 50 Cent’s iconic “Patiently Waiting” or Snoop and Eminem’s Bitch Please II, never have all four shared a single track.
This long-awaited union isn’t just a milestone—it’s a reflection of their evolution and enduring dominance in the genre.
A Peak Behind the Scenes
Snoop Dogg shed light on how Missionary and Gunz N Smoke came together in an interview earlier this year.
Recalling Dr. Dre’s meticulous approach to production, Snoop quipped, “This n-gga need two more days all the time.”
Despite the delays, the result is undeniable—a track that feels both fresh and deeply rooted in hip-hop’s golden era.
Dr. Dre’s Masterful Production
Dr. Dre’s production anchors the track with a blend of old-school and contemporary elements.
Sampling The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Dead Wrong,” the beat layers soulful strings and female vocal cuts over a heavy bassline.
Biggie’s presence is more than a nod—it’s the backbone of a track that unites East Coast and West Coast influences.
Dre’s knack for crafting cinematic soundscapes ensures every verse hits with precision, weaving the artists’ distinct styles into a cohesive whole.
The Lyricism: A Breakdown
50 Cent leads the charge with a verse that’s both aggressive and unapologetic.
His rapid-fire delivery sets the tone, diving straight into street narratives with lines like, “Red dot ya, I got ya / B.I.G. time, who shot ya?”
The cadence channels Biggie’s energy while reminding listeners of 50’s gritty roots.
Snoop Dogg follows with his trademark cool, offering a measured flow that contrasts 50’s intensity.
Referencing his Long Beach heritage and even nodding to his Walmart lawsuit over his cereal brand, Snoop blends nostalgia with contemporary swagger.
His line, “Nothing more gangster than my voice over these violins,” captures his ability to remain timeless in an ever-changing landscape.
Eminem takes the final verse, delivering a lyrical masterclass packed with double entendres and intricate wordplay.
Reflecting on his chaotic upbringing, he drops lines like, “Thirsty for commas, them double entendres / Turned me to an entrepreneur and a monster.”
Eminem’s verse balances introspection and bravado, showcasing the technical brilliance that has defined his career.
A Celebration of Unity
Gunz N Smoke is about more than individual talent. It’s a celebration of hip-hop’s evolution and a testament to the enduring relevance of these icons.
Biggie’s influence threads through every beat and bar, symbolizing the unity of East Coast and West Coast.
The track is a bridge between past and present, balancing nostalgia with innovation.
Why “Gunz N Smoke” Matters
This track stands out not just for its star power but for what it represents.
It’s a reminder of hip-hop’s roots, the resilience of its legends, and the artistry that keeps the genre evolving.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the culture, Gunz N Smoke offers something timeless—a moment where history meets the future.
You might also like:
- Eminem’s “Venom”: How Rap Became the Voice of Modern Superhero Films
- Drake, Chino Pacas, and the Cultural Fusion of “Modo Capone”
- Deep Dive into Kendrick Lamar’s Wacced Out Murals: Lyrics Meaning and Cultural Impact
- Tyler, The Creator’s Chromakopia: A Deep Dive into Midlife Musings and Musical Madness
- Megan Thee Stallion Roc Steady (feat. Flo Milli) Lyrics Meaning Explained
Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent & Eminem Gunz N Smoke Lyrics
Intro: 50 Cent & The Notorious B.I.G.
Come, let me show you the ropes
Chucks come with the LOCs
Drums come with the dope
Guns come with the smoke, bang
I just want the paper
I just want the paper
Gun smoke, Gun smoke
Verse 1: 50 Cent & The Notorious B.I.G.
They say he a big stepper
I’m just sayin’ I am not the type to get stepped on
I ain’t got a big weapon
Glock 17 with the switch, but the clip long
I ain’t finna play wit’ you
Boy, you fuck around, I’ma have to catch a fade wit’ you
Get the blick in broad day wit’ you
Have the lil’ homies run down while bae wit’ you (Gunsmoke, gunsmoke)
Littlе man, dope party
Got him out the night, but the nigga got four bodiеs
Who want smoke? Nobody
Goin’ once, goin’ twice, don’t want to smoke nobody
Tell me what you know ’bout it
Strapped right now, nigga, how you want go ’bout it?
I’m not the one you lean on
The type you wanna try apply pressure to and scheme on
Pussy nigga, dream on
Run, nigga, run ’til I have to click the beam on
Red dot ya, I got ya, B.I.G. time (Woo), who shot ya?
I dropped ya, who popped ya? Shit lit
Soon as I spot ya, ooh-wee
Why would you be fuckin’ with me? (Gun smoke, gun smoke)
Verse 2: Snoop Dogg & The Notorious B.I.G.
Let’s take a second here for this moment of violence
You smell it in the air, product of my environment
I come from freestylin’ over gunshots and sirens
Nothing more gangster than my voice over these violins
Get down, lay down, it’s the wolf of the Dogg Pound, yeah
Playground, shakedown, Autobahn, no brakes now
Skinny nigga back pushin’ weight now
New Death Row on the plate now
More details, please do tell
What’s that smell, nigga? (Gun smoke, Gun smoke)
Shit, you would too, if you knew
What a young nigga had to do
Rendezvous with a Pac or two
Rock shit up like Mötley Crüe
In this fight, you gotta stick and move
All my life, I had to show and prove
Still a nigga with a attitude
If you ain’t gangster, this is not for you
Yeah, bullet holes in the palm trees (Palm trees)
Dirty money in the laundry (Laundry)
Ten toes in the concrete (Concrete)
Niggas know where to find me (Find)
I got a long reach, this Long Beach, but we don’t speak
And you saw what happened to the last nigga
That tried to fuck with my proceeds (Gun smoke)
Verse 3: Eminem & The Notorious B.I.G.
I remember when I was thirteen
Searchin’ for how to get my revenge on the world that hurt me
Thirsty for commas, them double entendres
Turned me to an entrepreneur and a monster
Constantly caught in some kind of controversy (Gun smoke, Gun smoke)
That was my mantra, to taunt ya was kinda condescending
But why should I be kind to the kind of people that weren’t kind to me
Comin’ up? So like that syrup, they canceled
I’ma say, “Fuck you and your momma,” then blame my rap persona (Gun smoke, Gun smoke)
That’s the excuse that I used to explain my grammar
Allowing me to just do what I do and not face the ramifications
So I could air my frustrations
But I’ll be damned if the same reporter’s gonna shove another tape recorder
And camera in my face while I am at the Burger King
Just to grab my lil’ baby daughter a hamburger like Shady oughta be amicable
Guess that’s the price that you pay for all the glamour, the fame and stardom
Like when you’re treated just like an animal (Gun smoke, Gun smoke)
You’ll not act like one when you came from bottom
But they gonna make me wanna pull a llama
And make like I’m a mechanical bull (Yeah)
Fuck around and buck these hoes, ain’t talkin’ no luxury clothes
Two nines I tuck, see those?
Like Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, try and duck deez, yo
Hey, what the fuck you want?
Didn’t I just see you yesterday?
Fuck outta here, fuck it, bitch
Now I’m much older, and I may be calmer
Run up on me, and I might be a little less likely
To go crazy on ya, and let the
Outro: The Notorious B.I.G.
Gun smoke
I just want the paper
I just want the paper
Gun smoke, gun smoke
