Released in 1996, Tha Doggfather marked a pivotal moment for Snoop Doggy Dogg and for West Coast rap. Arriving in the wake of Dr. Dre’s departure from Death Row and the death of Tupac Shakur, the album finds Snoop stepping into his own as both artist and survivor. Trading the cinematic polish of Doggystyle for a smoother, more introspective sound, Snoop delivers laid-back G-funk with a reflective edge — proof that his effortless flow could evolve beyond the gangsta bravado of his debut. With production from Daz Dillinger, DJ Pooh, and Soopafly, and standout cuts like “Snoop’s Upside Ya Head” and “Vapors,” Tha Doggfather captures an artist redefining himself in the eye of hip-hop’s storm.