Bible of Love explained

Bible of Love
Type:studio
Artist:Snoop Dogg
Cover:Snoop Dogg Bible of Love.jpg
Border:yes
Released:March 16, 2018
Recorded:2017
Length:134:01
Prev Title:220
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:I Wanna Thank Me
Next Year:2019

Bible of Love (also known by its full title Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love) is the sixteenth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg.[1] It was released on March 16, 2018, by RCA Inspiration.[2] Bible of Love serves as his debut gospel album, much like Reincarnated (under his different persona Snoop Lion) served as his debut reggae album. Snoop himself served as executive producer over the entirety of the project, alongside Lonny Bereal.[3] Bible of Love is also his first double studio LP, featuring 32 tracks. It features guest appearances from artists such as Tye Tribbett, Faith Evans, Rance Allen, and Kim Burrell, among others.[4]

Background

Snoop Dogg officially announced the album on January 24, 2018, after teasing a gospel album for a year,[5] stating "It's always been on my heart. I just never got around to it because I always be doing gangsta business or doing this or doing that, I just felt like it's been on my heart too long. I need to do it now."[6] [7]

Snoop was introduced to gospel music by his late grandmother, Dorothy Tate. He said of the album: "I am blessed to have so many legendary friends join me on this journey. As the country is in one of its heaviest times and is so divided, I wanted to make an album that spreads love and unity around the world. That's what I was taught, so that's all I know. Real love."[1] He was also inspired by his discussions with Faith Evans while working together on the Notorious B.I.G. tribute track "When We Party".[6] USA Today described Snoop Dogg's role on the album as "more a curator than an artist".[8] The Grio compared it to Drake's More Life mixtape in terms of how the album is put together.[9]

A music video for the song "Words Are Few" featuring B.Slade was released to promote the album.[10] The album was released on Snoop's newly founded All The Time Entertainment label, a label created to give opportunity to up-and-coming gospel artists. Snoop Dogg performed at the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration at Bethel University, becoming the first secular artist to perform at the event.[11] At the event, he stated about the album, "The record's all about love from start to finish. That's the way you change the world, by putting love in it."[12]

Critical reception

Critical reception to the album was mixed. It holds a 54 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews". The Guardian stated the album "is a two-hour-plus hip-hop gospel confection that's briefly charmingly pleasant, then heartbreakingly boring. It has less edge than a child's balloon." Slant Magazine criticized the album as predictable and "surprisingly traditional". Allmusic stated of the album, "There's a redemptive quality to the effort, especially considering his past legal troubles, which adds heft to an otherwise head-scratching release." USA Today stated the album "is 32 songs of spiritual uplift, consistently enjoyable and even moving at times, with Snoop making just enough appearances to remind listeners of his involvement, and doing some soul-baring in the process."[8] Vulture described the album as "surprisingly great", saying "It handles the business of melding the seemingly incompatible worlds of G-funk and gospel with respect for the mechanics of both."[13]

The South End praised Snoop's verses, but criticized his lack of appearances on the album, as did The Linfield Review.[14] [15] PopMatters called it an "absolutely impressive effort" and "a solid effort that's better than it has any business being."[16]

Response from Christian publications were more positive. Christian magazine Relevant praised the album for its religious message, stating it is "impressively thorough in its representation of the saving grace and expansive love of God" as well as "a tasteful blend of vintage gospel and new school Christian contemporary music".[17] CCM Magazine praised the diversity of the production and called the album "surprisingly impressive." Christian Today called the album "an impressive and remarkable worship record in its own right."[18]

Snoop Dogg himself responded to negative reviews, stating "This is not a money-driven project, it's a spirit-driven project."[19]

Commercial performance

Bible of Love debuted at number 148 on the US Billboard 200 with 5,000 album-equivalent units, which made it his lowest entry on the chart until 2021's From tha Streets 2 tha Suites, which failed to chart.[20] It was the 20th best-selling digital album of the week, selling 3,000 digital copies in its first week.[21] The album became Snoop's first entry on the US Gospel Albums chart, where it debuted at number one.[22] [20] Bible of Love also became Snoop's 25th entry on the Billboard 200.[20] The album topped the Gospel Albums chart for seven non-consecutive weeks.[23]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Tidal.[24]

Charts

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Iconic Artist And Entertainer Snoop Dogg To Release New Album "Bible of Love" On March 16th. RCA Inspiration. PR Newswire Association LLC. 18 March 2018. 2 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180318184146/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iconic-artist-and-entertainer-snoop-dogg-to-release-new-album-bible-of-love-on-march-16th-300592620.html. 2018-03-18. live.
  2. Web site: Nick. Mojica. Snoop Dogg Drops Gospel Album 'Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love' . . March 16, 2018 . March 16, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180317034448/http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2018/03/snoop-dogg-presents-bible-of-love-album/ . March 17, 2018 . live .
  3. Web site: Amanda. Petrusich. The Genuine Vulnerability of Snoop Dogg's Gospel Album. The New Yorker. March 22, 2018. September 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180421223703/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-genuine-vulnerability-of-snoop-doggs-gospel-album. April 21, 2018. live.
  4. Web site: Salvatore. Maicki. Listen to Snoop Dogg's new 32-track gospel album, Bible of Love. The Fader. March 16, 2018. September 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180617042225/http://www.thefader.com/2018/03/16/listen-to-snoop-doggs-new-32-track-gospel-album-bible-of-love. 2018-06-17. live.
  5. Web site: Is Snoop Dogg's new Christian faith for real?. Premier Gospel. 6 October 2017.
  6. Web site: Nick. Mojica. Snoop Dogg Plans to Go Gospel on New Album 'Bible of Love'. XXL. January 24, 2018. September 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180811172510/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/01/snoop-dogg-gospel-album-bible-of-love/. August 11, 2018. live.
  7. News: Brandon I.. Brooks. Snoop Dogg Goes One-On-One, Talks New Gospel Album, 'Bible of Love'. Los Angeles Sentinel. 22 March 2018. 29 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180615184848/https://lasentinel.net/snoop-dogg-goes-one-on-one-talks-new-gospel-album-bible-of-love.html. 2018-06-15. live.
  8. News: Maeve. McDermott. Snoop Dogg made a gospel album, and it's actually wonderful. USA Today. March 15, 2018. September 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180921071013/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/03/15/snoop-dogg-made-gospel-album-and-its-actually-wonderful/425624002/. September 21, 2018. live.
  9. Web site: Dustin. Seibert. I'm a heathen and even I caught the Holy Ghost listening to Snoop's gospel album. The Grio. 19 March 2018. 28 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180614070834/https://thegrio.com/2018/03/19/snoop-gospel-review/. 14 June 2018. live.
  10. Rachel. George. Snoop Dogg Previews Five Songs From 'Bible of Love' Gospel Album. Billboard. February 2, 2018. September 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180203061849/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8097900/snoop-dogg-bible-of-love-gospel-album-five-songs. February 3, 2018. live.
  11. Web site: Abby. Peterson. Snoop Dogg, Twin Cities mayors, NFL players attend Super Bowl Gospel Celebration at Bethel. Bethel Clarion. 2 February 2018. 28 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180202235728/https://bethelclarion.com/2018/02/01/snoop-dogg-twin-cities-mayors-nfl-players-attend-super-bowl-gospel-celebration-at-bethel/. 2 February 2018. live.
  12. Snoop Dogg Readies Gospel Double Album 'Bible of Love'. Daniel. Kreps. Rolling Stone. 2 February 2018.
  13. Web site: Snoop Dogg's New Gospel Album, Bible of Love, Is Surprisingly Great. Craig. Jenkins. March 21, 2018. September 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180608200814/http://www.vulture.com/2018/03/snoop-dogg-bible-of-love-gospel-album-review.html. June 8, 2018. live.
  14. Web site: Review of Snoop Dogg's Bible of Love. Cameron. Sanders. The South End. May 6, 2018.
  15. Snoop Dogg's 'Bible of Love'. Kyle. Huizinga. The Linfield Review. April 9, 2018.
  16. Web site: Jonathan. Frahm. Snoop Dogg Gets on with God Love 'Bible of Love'. PopMatters. 30 March 2018. 28 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408012112/https://www.popmatters.com/snoop-dogg-bible-of-love-2551073709.html. 8 April 2018. live.
  17. Web site: Mai. Perkins. Is Snoop Dogg's 'Bible of Love' Actually Biblical?. Relevant. 21 March 2018. 28 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180719003244/https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/snoop-doggs-bible-love-actually-biblical/. 19 July 2018. live.
  18. Web site: Joseph. Hartropp. 'The Bible of Love': Snoop Dogg shifts gear with a faith-filled worship record. Christian Today. 5 April 2018. 28 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180614033619/https://www.christiantoday.com/article/the-bible-of-love-snoop-dogg-shifts-gear-with-a-faith-filled-worship-record/128124.htm. 14 June 2018. live.
  19. Web site: Snoop Dogg responds to 'Bible Of Love' criticism. CCM News. 19 April 2018. 28 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180613030502/https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/snoop-dogg-responds-to-bible-of-love-criticism/. 13 June 2018. live.
  20. Snoop Dogg Scores First No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums Chart. Billboard. Asker. Jim. March 28, 2018. March 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180329040224/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8265531/snoop-dogg-top-gospel-albums-chart-no-1. 2018-03-29. live.
  21. Digital Albums Chart Billboard. Billboard. March 26, 2018. March 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180406224142/https://www.billboard.com/charts/digital-albums/2018-03-31. 2018-04-06. live.
  22. Web site: Snoop Dogg's 'Bible Of Love' Hits No. 1 On Billboard's Gospel Album Chart!. 27 March 2018 . Praise 106.1. March 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180328105458/https://praisebaltimore.com/70311/snoop-doggs-bible-of-love-hits-no-1-on-billboards-gospel-album-chart/. 2018-03-28. live.
  23. Top Gospel Albums: 2018 Archive. Billboard. June 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180616115344/https://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/2018/gospel-albums. 2018-06-16. live.
  24. Web site: Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love / Snoop Dogg TIDAL. Tidal. April 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180402102217/https://listen.tidal.com/album/84973842. 2018-04-02. live.
  25. Top Gospel Albums – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 6, 2018.

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