International hip-hop superstar Snoop Dogg has brought a slice of Long Beach, California to the MCG for the AFL Grand Final, flowing through the biggest hits of his three-decade plus career.<\/p>\n
Snoop Dogg, born Calvin Broadus Jr, opened his show with an inspirational video, declaring to the crowd: “It’s grand final time baby, greatness is on the line.”<\/p>\n
He urged Geelong Cats fans to make some noise, as a marching band in the goal square played the club’s song, before a matching band at the other end of the ground did the same with Brisbane Lion’s song.<\/p>\n
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The entertainment began with duelling marching bands facing off from opposite ends of the ground. (AAP: Joel Carrett)<\/p>\n
The selection of Snoop Dogg as the entertainment for the event was not without its critics, with Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young even going as far as labelling him a “slur merchant” in parliament.<\/p>\n
But the 100,000-strong crowd did not seem to mind, roaring for the self-proclaimed “Doggfather” as he strutted out onto the MCG with a full marching band behind him, launching into The Next Episode.<\/p>\n
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Snoop Dogg performed his most famous records, pulled from every era of his decades-long career. (AAP: Joel Carrett)<\/p>\n
Dressed in all white as a band leader, the famously foul-mouthed Snoop Dogg performed a slightly more family-friendly set, skipping more than a few four-letter words.<\/p>\n
Moving onto a stage at the centre of the ground, Snoop Dogg launched into his hit Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang.<\/p>\n
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Snoop Dogg made sure to edit his songs carefully and omit some of the more colourful language. (AAP: Joel Carrett)<\/p>\n
The 53-year-old, who popularised phrases such as “fo’ shizzle”, was blessed with blue skies in Melbourne with no chance of drizzle.<\/p>\n
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Snopp Dogg brought a slice of California to the MCG. (AAP: Joel Carrett)<\/p>\n
Much of the set design and costuming was blue, a nod to Snoop Dogg’s allegiances in his native Long Beach, California.<\/p>\n
Fans were treated to a more instrumental version of some of the legendary rapper’s hits, including a guitar-driven rendition of Drop It Like It’s Hot with Australian multi-instrumentalist Tash Sultana shredding at the top of the stage.<\/p>\n
A frequent collaborator with other artists, Snoop Dogg was sadly without some of his most famous artists, performing Sweat sans David Guetta, and bopping along to Signs without Justin Timberlake.<\/p>\n
But Snoop Dogg, nee Lion, brought a little Australian flavour to his hit song Beautiful by subbing out Pharrell Williams with Australian singer Jessica Mauboy.<\/p>\n
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Australian singer Jessica Mauboy joined Snoop Dogg onstage to sing Beautiful. (AAP: Joel Carrett)<\/p>\n
ARIA award-winning rapper Baker Boy also had a starring role, debuting his new single Thick Skin earlier in the day.<\/p>\n
He returned during Snoop Dogg’s performance to provide the most unique rendition of Still D.R.E of all time, blasting out a didgeridoo accompaniment as Snoop Dogg rapped.<\/p>\n