The Moment : Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre “NO LOVE”

Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre “NO LOVE”

Background

Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre at the infamous 1995 Source Awards.

The Photographed Moment

On August 3, 1995, The Source held its second annual awards ceremony at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. At the time, I was a freelance photographer shooting mainly Hip Hop.  By then I had worked my way into many events and shows, sometimes by securing proper credentials, other times I would give myself the time and space to find a way into events.

The time of The Source Awards, I didn’t have the proper credentials to get into the show, so I went to the venue early during sound check hoping someone at the venue or production staff would offer me a pass to shoot the awards show.

Arriving at Madison Square Garden, I walked around to see who was there for soundcheck.  A few minutes later, Death Row’s entourage walked in for sound check, led in by Suge Knight and Dr. Dre.

Suge was a menacing figure and his bodyguards were even bigger. As Death Row began their sound check, I just looked around and watched. DJ Quik, Lady of Rage, Dazz, Kurupt and others were practicing their performances - typical jailhouse scene.

After Death Row’s rehearsal, I was watching Dre & Suge talk. While there wasn’t quite yelling, it was not a conversation I wanted to interrupt. Snoop was walking around the seating area, Dazz and Nate were just hanging out.

With not too much more to photograph, I left the venue. I still had no photo pass, but I knew I would get into the show somehow.

About a hour before the doors were open to the public, I talked my way into the venue. One of The Source Magazine staffers likely waived me in to the show, still without a photo pass.

The awards show started off ok but, soon enough, things started to turn…

Suge, after receiving an award for SoundTrack of the Year, Came out on stage and said, “Any artist out there that wanna be an artist, stay a star, and won’t have to worry about the executive producer trying to be all in the videos, all on the records, dancing—come to Death Row!”

I remember watching Suge say that and immediately knew something wasn’t going right. Next, Outkast was dissed and booed as New Artist of the Year. Andre 3000 famously said “the South got somethin' to say,” grabbed the award and walked offstage.

I was shocked, because I thought people really loved Outkast (minus this New York hating crowd present that night). It was so bizarre; what was going on?

Then Dre, winning Producer of the Year, came on stage to a mediocre reception. After Dre was announced as the winner, Snoop did not like the reception Dre received and joined Dr. Dre on stage, saying, “The east coast ain’t got no love for Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg? The East Coast ain’t got no love for Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg and Death Row? Y’all don’t love us? Y’all don’t love us? Well, let it be known then! We know y’all East Coast! We know where the fuck we at! East Coast in the muthafucking house!”

I didn’t remember too much from the performances, other than Biggie/Bad Boy’s performance.

At some point I also remember Puffy (Diddy) coming out on stage where he gave his speech, “I’m the executive producer a comment was made about a little bit earlier. But, check this out — Contrary to what other people may feel, I would like to say that I’m very proud of Dr. Dre, of Death Row, and Suge Knight for their accomplishments. And all this east and west? That needs to stop.”

After that speech I knew thing were not going to end well, and left the venue.

A few months later I went to Philadelphia to shoot the performance portion of The Show (the movie).

I walked around the backstage area to see who was doing what. Moments later, Snoop, Da Dogg Pound, and their entourage arrived (and there were a lot of them), red solo cups in hand.

Snoop was stopped by TV entertainment news channel Extra for a short interview. From where I was standing I could not hear the interview, but Snoop seemed cordial in his responses.

I continues to walk around. I bumped into Fat Joe, though I think he was just hanging out (not sure if he performed).

A few minutes later, Biggie, Diddy and the Bad Boy Family arrived backstage. I did not personally know Biggie so I kept my distance, other than asking to take a picture or two. There was no issue with the Bad Boy and Death Row camps.

During this time, Run DMC was performing.

After Run DMC came off stage they were in a section of the hallway by the stage stairs. Snoop and Warren G. walked up to Run DMC to greet them. Warren stepped away, and I approached Run DMC and Snoop and asked if I could get a shot of them together.

Run, DMC, Jam Master Jay and Snoop all posed.

Snoop turned and looked at me while posing and paused then asked,”Yo, who you shooting for?” I knew exactly why he asked me the question.

Months prior at The Source Award, Snoop had asked the infamous question,”Y’all ain’t got love for Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre?”

Hesitant to reply, knowing I couldn’t lie, I told him I was shooting for The Source (Magazine). And before I could finish my words, Snoop yelled at me,”Fuck The Source!”

I stayed quiet, looked at him and Run DMC as Snoop extended his middle finger at me in disgust. I took two shots of them and walked away.