LOS ANGELES (AP):

When it comes to music, there’s one person in particular Snoop Dogg trusts enough to steer the ship without question: hit-making producer Dr Dre.

Their bond, built over 30 years of brotherhood, began when Dr Dre shaped Snoop’s game-changing début, Doggystyle, a cornerstone of hip-hop history. From young dreamers chasing stardom to legends cementing their legacies, the duo has always moved in sync.

Now, the dynamic pair reunites for Snoop’s Missionary, his milestone 20th studio album, which releases today. In a music industry where lasting relationships are rare, their bond remains solid.

“We were just playing on our raw ability, and it worked ... But now you’re dealing with professionals who are like perfectionists and skilled at what they do,” Snoop said. The 15-track project features several big-name guest appearances, including Eminem, 50 Cent, Sting, Method Man, Jelly Roll, Tom Petty and Jhené Aiko.

This year, Dr Dre and Snoop launched two alcohol brands: A canned cocktail, Gin & Juice, and the premium gin, Still G.I.N., which is a play on Still D.R.E., the hit single from Dr. Dre’s multiplatinum 2001 album released in 1999.

“It’s like you don’t have to speak. Your work speaks for you now as opposed to you knocking on doors. Now, people are opening doors,” he said. “They understand who I am as a person and what my love vessel is and that makes them want to get next to me.”

Amid Snoop’s hustle and bustle, he said Dr Dre felt it was time to head back into the studio to start recording a new album – a process that began nearly two years ago. They recorded in spurts.

“[Dr Dre] was watching me in the entertainment world and figuring that my music hand ain’t matching my entertainment hand,” Snoop said. “He wanted to put music back in the foreground with his production, leadership and guidance on the project.”

While recording, Snoop said Dr Dre musically knew him better than himself at times. He said no other producers – except for Pharrell and Battlecat – have the cachet to critique him like Dr Dre.

Snoop credited Dr Dre’s influence for enhancing the track Now or Never, a deeply sentimental song that left him feeling emotional at times. He described it as a “tears of joy” record, dedicated to the memory of recently deceased loved ones, including his younger brother, who died earlier this year.

For Snoop, Now or Never was a difficult song to record, even though it was his favourite on the album.

“It’s really hard to make a track like that — especially because I’m always the life of the party,” he said. “I’m always happy, fun, upbeat. So, to have a moment of reflection sometimes makes the mood damp or a little bit light. But it’s needed. It’s necessary because it happens in life. It’s good to speak on it. My pen is my mightiest sword. I always write where I live.”

Snoop’s new album was released in conjunction with his label, Dr Dre’s Aftermath Records and Interscope, which was co-founded by music industry entrepreneur Jimmy Iovine. Death Row has released new apparel, an animated Doggystyle film and entered the gaming industry with a recent collaboration with Fortnite.