Thankfully it was just the instrumental, as the song is littered with expletives
12:57, 20 May 2026Updated 13:24, 20 May 2026
The bizarre moment councillors enter meeting to Dr Dre and Snoop Dog
Derby City Council’s Mayor Making Ceremony got off to a bizarre start after councillors and officials walked into the chamber to the instrumental of a gangsta-rap song.
Councillor Jonathan Smale was set to be sworn as Mayor of Derby on Wednesday morning (May 20), with former Mayor Ajit Atwal handing over his duties to the Spondon Conservative.
As dozens entered the meeting, the recognisable instrumental from the Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg classic, Still D.R.E., blared through the speakers.
It was closer to a boxing walk-out than a civic occasion, with the song actually used regularly by Chris Eubank Jr for his walk-outs.
Thankfully, it was only the instrumental, as the lyrics are littered with expletives from the outset and touch on topics such as cannabis use, drive-by shootings and “not loving police”.
The song was played at the start of the Mayor Making Ceremony and is believed to be the choice of Mayor Ajit Atwal, who was still the existing mayor in office at that point.
Cllr Atwal, a Lib Dem, did not want to comment on the choice of song, which some may say is an inappropriate choice for a civic occasion as important as a new mayor taking office.
Mayor Smale, a Conservative, was then elected at the meeting itself.
A councillor who wished to remain anonymous said: “It’s highly inappropriate. I was a bit shocked. I thought they chose the wrong track.
“Not sure this is the right place for it.”
The song Still D.R.E was released in 1999 and was the lead single from Dre’s second album “2001”. The album has a black cover with a large cannabis leaf emblazoned across it. The song was a hit in UK chart, reaching number six.
It’s largely regarded as a comeback song for Dr Dre, made to assure his fans he was still at the top of his game despite taking some time out.