News of December 1, 1996
Snoop Doggy Dogg in Vibe: "We Were Like Brothers"
In Vibe's December 1996/January 1997 issue, Snoop Doggy Dogg spoke at length for the first time about Tupac's death and the burden he faced.
Music magazine Vibe put Snoop Doggy Dogg on the cover of its December 1996/January 1997 double issue. Author Ronin Ro had spent the days following the Las Vegas shooting in the circle around Death Row. His report showed a label in a state of emergency: Tupac was in the hospital, Dr. Dre was building his own label, and Snoop was the last major star left.
Six Days After Tupac’s Death
According to Vibe, it took Death Row spokesman George Pryce six days after Tupac’s death until Snoop was ready to put a few sentences on tape. Then he spoke candidly. He and Tupac had been “like brothers,” he said; Suge Knight had housed both of them in condominiums in the Westwood neighborhood. He constantly asked himself why Tupac had to go and why he could not simply survive the shooting. Death Row had been robbed of “a good soldier” who could never be replaced.
Carrying On for Death Row
At the same time, Snoop felt the pressure. The label was urging him to complete his second album Tha Doggfather. He said he did not want to let Tupac down by setting aside his work because of his grief; now it was up to him to carry on his friend’s legacy. Nate Dogg was also quoted in the report: while Tupac was still fighting for his life, he asked only that people pray for him.
In its February 1997 issue, SPIN magazine noted that Snoop had dedicated Tha Doggfather to the memory of Tupac.