Snoop Dogg has one of the most diverse rap catalogs of all time. In 1993, at the age of 22, he dropped his G-funk masterpiece Doggystyle, breaking sales records in the process. Since then: Snoop has released albums that experimented with the contemporary sounds of the times (whether it’s No Limit’s bounce on Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told or the sparse, futuristic production of The Neptunes on R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta)); dropped pure nostalgic West Coast-based gangsta rap albums (think No Limit Top Dogg or Neva Left); and during a particularly prolific time in the mid 2010s dropped a pop album where he’s mostly singing (Bush), a reggae LP (Reincarnated) and a gospel record (Bible of Love) in the span of five years.It’s many swings, and part of the reason why Snoop is probably still the most recognizable rapper in pop culture. We now have album number 20, Missionary, which dropped today.This album is monumental because it marks the return of one of the greatest rap duos of all time: Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Though they’ve collaborated on dozens of songs over the years, this is the first time we’ve gotten a Snoop album produced entirely by Dre since Doggystyle.It’s been 31 years, and Missionary is a very different album from Doggystyle. The G-funk influences are more restrained—this isn’t really gangsta hip-hop, but more mogul rap. The album features Snoop, who is now 53, and Dre, 59, enjoying their legendary status while reflecting on their influence over the game. The production—handled entirely by Dre and trusted collaborators like Dem Jointz, The ICU, Mell Beats, and more—is expansive and luxurious, with what are probably very expensive samples from artists like Tom Petty, Sting, and others. Meanwhile, Snoop’s performance remains classic—effortless, nonchalant, and cool. It’s a style that pairs perfectly with Dre’s evolving production palette.Missionary caps off a strong year for OG figures in hip-hop, with several legends dropping impactful comeback albums, often collaborating with other legends of the genre. So where does it rank amongst those efforts? We answer that and more.Here are six takeaways from Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s new album, Missionary.

Snoop Dogg has one of the most diverse rap catalogs of all time. In 1993, at the age of 22, he dropped his G-funk masterpiece Doggystyle, breaking sales records in the process. Since then: Snoop has released albums that experimented with the contemporary sounds of the times (whether it’s No Limit’s bounce on Da Game […]

Snoop Dogg has one of the most diverse rap catalogs of all time.

In 1993, at the age of 22, he dropped his G-funk masterpiece Doggystyle, breaking sales records in the process. Since then: Snoop has released albums that experimented with the contemporary sounds of the times (whether it’s No Limit’s bounce on Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told or the sparse, futuristic production of The Neptunes on R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta)); dropped pure nostalgic West Coast-based gangsta rap albums (think No Limit Top Dogg or Neva Left); and during a particularly prolific time in the mid 2010s dropped a pop album where he’s mostly singing (Bush), a reggae LP (Reincarnated) and a gospel record (Bible of Love) in the span of five years.

It’s many swings, and part of the reason why Snoop is probably still the most recognizable rapper in pop culture. We now have album number 20, Missionary, which dropped today.

This album is monumental because it marks the return of one of the greatest rap duos of all time: Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Though they’ve collaborated on dozens of songs over the years, this is the first time we’ve gotten a Snoop album produced entirely by Dre since Doggystyle.

It’s been 31 years, and Missionary is a very different album from Doggystyle. The G-funk influences are more restrained—this isn’t really gangsta hip-hop, but more mogul rap. The album features Snoop, who is now 53, and Dre, 59, enjoying their legendary status while reflecting on their influence over the game. The production—handled entirely by Dre and trusted collaborators like Dem Jointz, The ICU, Mell Beats, and more—is expansive and luxurious, with what are probably very expensive samples from artists like Tom Petty, Sting, and others. Meanwhile, Snoop’s performance remains classic—effortless, nonchalant, and cool. It’s a style that pairs perfectly with Dre’s evolving production palette.

Missionary caps off a strong year for OG figures in hip-hop, with several legends dropping impactful comeback albums, often collaborating with other legends of the genre. So where does it rank amongst those efforts? We answer that and more.

Here are six takeaways from Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s new album, Missionary.