Ups & Downs
Encyclopedia
"Ups & Downs"/"Bang Out" is the fourth single of Snoop Dogg
's album R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta) The Masterpiece
. It is the first one that wasn't produced by The Neptunes
. As being a mix of apparently two different tracks from the album that are "Ups & Downs" and "Bang Out" they shouldn't be handled as one.
This is a song that interpolates The Bee Gees' 1979 hit "Love You Inside Out
". It has a very different sound with a slower Beats per minute rate that are more characteristic of Snoop Dogg and of the album as a whole. Upon release, the single received some criticism Rolling Stone | Music News, Reviews, Photos, Videos, Interviews and More due to re-using the sample which had been used only 2 years earlier by Jay Z and R Kelly in "Honey" from their Best of Both Worlds
project. Although the vocal is credited to Shon Don with the Bee Gees it wasn't recorded with the performers together and like so it can be considered as a tribute in honour of the original artists instead. Because the track contains a sample with an early British sound it became popular in Europe in the first place. In some prints of the cover of the R&G album the introductory sentence of "Ups & Downs" "Every Dogg Has His Day" is indicated as a separate interlude that sample from the motion picture "Scarface
". However with or without it the length of the track remains four minutes seven seconds long.
It was performed by Snoop Dogg at the Live 8 concert in London
on July 2, 2005. Its lyrics on the part of the chorus was quite suitable for a charity event. (See lyrics)
The premier of video for the single was first aired on Friday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. on BET.
In the intro Nuthin' but a "G" Thang is played as background music. The beginning portrays us a suburban modern residence with a filthy interior, where Snoop is ensconced and spies out across the window blind when sirens and tire screech can be heard followed by the "Every Dogg Has His Day" insert. Then he settles into his armchair with Mr. Cartoon sitting next to him, who continues to tattoo a real R&G logo on Snoop's right shoulder. Mr. Cartoon is the professional tattoo artist member of the creative team, the Soul Assassins
, whose production company made the video, and he designed the R&G initials himself for the album cover artwork.
Ups & Downs starts, while Snoop visits his girls hanging around in the house, while the rest of his mob is lifting dumbbells and playing domino in the trashy garden. Cameo appearances done by The Game
, his Black Wall Street
affiliates and the Soul Assassins
. In the lyrics Snoop claims that despite of all rumours he still trusts imprisoned Tray Deee
and has no feud going on between them, but the Eastsidaz no longer exist.
Snoop and some of his crew can be seen wearing a "Western Conference" pullover (See Trivia).
The outro is for "Bang Out", a song mixed and produced by Jonathan "J.R." Rotem (can be known from Lil' Kim
's Lighters up and Whoa) with Jasmin Lopez on the vocals. The clip segment is a colored one, where green is dominant and is rolling in slow motion. The scenes include a smoky alley-way and the entrance of Mr.T's Bowling Club. Nate Dogg
and Warren G
show up and join Snoop.
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
's album R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta) The Masterpiece
R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta) The Masterpiece
R&G : The Masterpiece is the seventh studio album by rapper Snoop Dogg; released by Star Trak/Geffen Records on November 16, 2004. The album features production by The Neptunes...
. It is the first one that wasn't produced by The Neptunes
The Neptunes
The Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s...
. As being a mix of apparently two different tracks from the album that are "Ups & Downs" and "Bang Out" they shouldn't be handled as one.
This is a song that interpolates The Bee Gees' 1979 hit "Love You Inside Out
Love You Inside Out
"Love You Inside Out" is a 1979 hit single for the Bee Gees, from their album Spirits Having Flown. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in June 1979...
". It has a very different sound with a slower Beats per minute rate that are more characteristic of Snoop Dogg and of the album as a whole. Upon release, the single received some criticism Rolling Stone | Music News, Reviews, Photos, Videos, Interviews and More due to re-using the sample which had been used only 2 years earlier by Jay Z and R Kelly in "Honey" from their Best of Both Worlds
The Best of Both Worlds (R. Kelly & Jay-Z album)
- Charts :...
project. Although the vocal is credited to Shon Don with the Bee Gees it wasn't recorded with the performers together and like so it can be considered as a tribute in honour of the original artists instead. Because the track contains a sample with an early British sound it became popular in Europe in the first place. In some prints of the cover of the R&G album the introductory sentence of "Ups & Downs" "Every Dogg Has His Day" is indicated as a separate interlude that sample from the motion picture "Scarface
Scarface (1932 film)
Scarface is a 1932 American gangster film starring Paul Muni and George Raft, produced by Howard Hughes, directed by Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson, and written by Ben Hecht based on the 1929 novel of the same name by Armitage Trail...
". However with or without it the length of the track remains four minutes seven seconds long.
It was performed by Snoop Dogg at the Live 8 concert in London
Live 8 concert, London
The main Live 8 concert was held at Hyde Park, London, England on 2 July 2005, in front of over 200,000 people. The show's logistics were managed by famed promoter Harvey Goldsmith.The event is also referred to as "Live 8 London" or "Live 8 UK"....
on July 2, 2005. Its lyrics on the part of the chorus was quite suitable for a charity event. (See lyrics)
The premier of video for the single was first aired on Friday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. on BET.
The Video
The video was directed by Anthony Mandler and consists of three parts where each section ends with a fade out. The first half was shot entirely in black and white to give the watcher a 70's flashback feeling.In the intro Nuthin' but a "G" Thang is played as background music. The beginning portrays us a suburban modern residence with a filthy interior, where Snoop is ensconced and spies out across the window blind when sirens and tire screech can be heard followed by the "Every Dogg Has His Day" insert. Then he settles into his armchair with Mr. Cartoon sitting next to him, who continues to tattoo a real R&G logo on Snoop's right shoulder. Mr. Cartoon is the professional tattoo artist member of the creative team, the Soul Assassins
Soul Assassins
Soul Assassins are a loose collective of musicians and graphic artists affiliated to the hip hop group Cypress Hill, formed in the early 1990s. It is also the name of Cypress Hill's publishing company....
, whose production company made the video, and he designed the R&G initials himself for the album cover artwork.
Ups & Downs starts, while Snoop visits his girls hanging around in the house, while the rest of his mob is lifting dumbbells and playing domino in the trashy garden. Cameo appearances done by The Game
The Game (rapper)
Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
, his Black Wall Street
The Black Wall Street Records
The Black Wall Street Records is a record label founded by Jayceon "Game" Taylor and his half-brother George "Big Fase 100" Taylor III.-History:...
affiliates and the Soul Assassins
Soul Assassins
Soul Assassins are a loose collective of musicians and graphic artists affiliated to the hip hop group Cypress Hill, formed in the early 1990s. It is also the name of Cypress Hill's publishing company....
. In the lyrics Snoop claims that despite of all rumours he still trusts imprisoned Tray Deee
Tray Deee
Tray Deee is a rapper who was once signed to Death Row Records and later signed with Snoop Dogg's label Dogghouse Records .-Career:...
and has no feud going on between them, but the Eastsidaz no longer exist.
Snoop and some of his crew can be seen wearing a "Western Conference" pullover (See Trivia).
The outro is for "Bang Out", a song mixed and produced by Jonathan "J.R." Rotem (can be known from Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
's Lighters up and Whoa) with Jasmin Lopez on the vocals. The clip segment is a colored one, where green is dominant and is rolling in slow motion. The scenes include a smoky alley-way and the entrance of Mr.T's Bowling Club. Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
and Warren G
Warren G
Warren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994...
show up and join Snoop.
Trivia
- The Western Conference is a real conference organized by Snoop and held on July 4, 2005. It was like peace talks between members of the former "West Coast" and an attempt to reunite them to put the westside into the mainstream by simultaneously launching a movement that helps newcomers and off-label street artists to reach the audience and get a contract. Snoop not only took up regenerative tasks but he's backing the whole movement by offering his Doggystyle label for the producing duties of the West Coast upcoming musical acts, if needed. Its main achievement was tha Dogg Pound team-up and that The Bay Area was represented too. It was estimated that about 60-70 rappers participated on the event including Ice Cube, Wc, Mack 10, Jayo Felony, Mac Mall, Xzibit, Warren G, The Game, DJ Quik, Daz, Kurupt amongst others. It is unknown at the time if there will be another conferences called together in the future. (interviews:Snoop Dogg, The Game)
- Tiffany Foxx and her partner Brooke Holiday (with whom she forms the rap crew Hot Sadity) also participates in acting on the set, however she has been recognized later for his single "Shake that shit" with Snoop from his album Welcome to tha Chuuch - Da Album. (St. Louis American Mag)
Charts
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| US R&B / Hip-Hop | # 67 |
| UK Top 75 | # 36 |
| Australia Top 100 | # 25 |
| Germany Top 100 | # 84 |
| Switzerland Top 100 | # 46 |
| Ireland Top 50 | # 19 |
| Finland Top 20 | # 19 |
| USA Top 200 Singles Sales by Soundscan | # 20 |