"Tha Doggfather" is the second studio album by American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg, released on November 12, 1996, by Death Row Records and Interscope. Following the success of his debut Doggystyle (1993), Tha Doggfather marks a pivotal moment in Snoop's career, both personally and professionally. After being acquitted of murder charges in 1996, Snoop sought to shift his image and music, stepping away from the violent "gangsta" persona that had defined his early work. This album represents his first step in that direction, with a more positive and mature outlook.
The album also stands as Snoop's final release under the moniker "Snoop Doggy Dogg" before he shortened his name to "Snoop Dogg." It would also be his last album on Death Row Records until he acquired the rights to the label in 2022, releasing his BODR album that year. The album's production was largely handled by DJ Pooh, along with contributions from Daz Dillinger, Soopafly, and others, reflecting the absence of Dr. Dre, who had left Death Row earlier in the year to form his own label. The album features guest appearances from Charlie Wilson, Kurupt, Warren G, and a posthumous appearance by Tupac Shakur (under the name "Makaveli"), who had been murdered earlier in 1996.
Tha Doggfather debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 479,000 copies in its first week. However, it did not achieve the same commercial success as Doggystyle, and its sales plateaued at two million copies. The album's release was overshadowed by another major Death Row album, Tupac's The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, which also debuted at No. 1.
Musically, Tha Doggfather has a more laid-back, funk-driven sound compared to Snoop's previous work. The album features samples from artists like Run-D.M.C., Biz Markie, and Zapp & Roger, and it highlights Snoop's growing confidence as a producer, including his first credit as a producer on the track "(O.J.) Wake Up." Lyrically, Snoop moved away from the violent and controversial themes of Doggystyle, instead embracing a more introspective and positive tone, reflecting his personal growth and new role as a father. This shift in direction was met with mixed reactions from fans and critics, some of whom preferred the more aggressive and rebellious Snoop of his debut.
Despite the mixed reception, Tha Doggfather is still considered a significant album in Snoop's career, marking a transition toward a more mature phase in his artistry. Snoop himself has expressed pride in the album, noting that it was a "rebirth" for him, and that it was one of the records he is most frequently asked to sign at events. While the album might not have lived up to the meteoric success of Doggystyle, it remains an important part of Snoop Dogg's legacy and his evolution as an artist.
