The Genuis of "Seduction"

Since taking the rap world by storm with Doggystyle, the evolution of Snoop Dogg has been less as a rapper and more as a personality. Snoop is one of the most distinctive and recognizable celebrities, but his draw has been far more persona-based than with an emphasis on his music. Granted there have been moments of brilliance (namely "Drop it Like It's Hot") but Snoop has gained for more notoriety for popping up in some seventies pastiche film to say something is "crack-a-lackling" time and time again. Which is why it is refreshing to hear an artist of this nature try and actually advance their craft rather than resting on their laurels ... if only for one song.

On "Sensual Seduction" (or "Sexual Eruption" as the 'Dirty' version is called), Snoop sings, enhancing his voice with the auto-tune effects that have worked so well for T-Pain. The song is an homage to seventies soul and disco, employing the subtle sexual imagery Snoop is known for. There is a usual sense of humor when taking on such an homage, but that comes across more clearly in the video. "Sensual Seduction" the video retains a strict aesthetic in line with that of the period it wishes to pay tribute to. Tackling cliches of old school videos is nothing new - Gnarls Barkley are doing it right now, as well - but Snoop succeeds beyond his contemporaries. Snoop's video is pure imitation, rather than a postmodern clash of styles. The video is obviously funny, but the important point of this song and video is that Snoop is dead serious.

He does a short rap at the end, which is completely unnecessary. It does not detract from the song, but it does remind you just who you are watching. The rap does diminish the purity of the song a bit. Much of the song has been about breaking down the image that is Snoop Dogg, in showing that he is easily humbled by his idols, the rap asserts Snoop's place dominance while reminding you just what it is that makes him famous. So even as Snoop attempts to emulate the past and pay tribute to his (perhaps forgotten) heroes, he still can't quite get away from the image he has created for himself.