5 Best Songs from Snoop Dogg's 'Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$'

When Snoop Dogg first came into the public consciousness with his landmark guest appearance alongside Dr. Dre on the 1992 single "Deep Cover," he was viewed as one of the hottest prospects in rap history, with the public clamoring to find out who this prodigious talent under Dre's wing was. And the rap world would learn quickly what Snoop Dogg's presence on a track meant over the course of the subsequent years, with his work on Dr. Dre's The Chronic, Tha Dogg Pound's Dogg Food, and his own solo album, 1993's Doggystyle, one of the most successful rap debuts of all time.

Having positioned himself as bonafide superstar in spite of his controversial image, Snoop Dogg's aspirations would prove bigger than being a mere sidekick and an artist, resulting in him departing from Death Row Records following the release of his sophomore album Tha Doggfather in 1996. Finding refuge with Master P's No Limit Records, Snoop Dogg would release three albums with the label, Da Game Is to Be Sold, No to Be Told, No Limit Top Dogg, and Tha Last Meal, the latter of which's title symbolized his liberation after fulfilling his contractual obligations.

After taking a full year off to craft his sixth studio album, Snoop Dogg returned in 2002 with Paid tha Cost to Be Da Bo$$, an album that would serve as the genesis on his reinvention as a tenured veteran and hit-maker, a role that would reintroduce him to a new generation of fans and result in some of his most popular songs to date.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$, we've compiled five of the album's best songs that are required listening a decade after the fact.

5
"I Believe In You"
Snoop Dogg featuring LaToiya Williams
Snoop Dogg teams up with formery Doggystyle Records songstress LaToiya Williams on "I Believe In You," one of the more heartfelt selections on Paid tha Cost to Be Da Boss. Produced by Hi-Tek, "I Believe In You" finds Snoop Dogg professing his love for the lady in his life and touching on the trust aspect that makes any relationship a worthwhile one.
1
"Pimp Slapp'd"
Snoop Dogg
"It ain't about Crip or Blood/It's about you being jealous of what I does" Snoop drawls on "Pimp Slapp'd," a vicious diss track aimed at Suge Knight and Death Row Records that was released in the wake of the former business partners war of words. Produced by Josef Leimberg, Snoop addressed any and all questions about his relationship with Knight, Kurupt, and the streets of Southern California in one fell swoop on "Pimp Slapp'd."
3
"Lollipop"
Snoop Dogg featuring Jay-Z
The east and west coasts connect on the Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss cut "Lollipop," with Jay-Z costars alongside Snoop, Nate Dogg and Soopafly, lending his Brooklyn swagger to the proceedings. Produced by Just Blaze, who cooks up a backdrop drenched in pimp juice, "Lollipop" is stacks up with the best material on Snoop Dogg's sixth studio album and an appreciated deep cut in his lengthy catalog.
2
"From Tha Chuuuuch to da Palace"
Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell Williams
Released as the first single from Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss, "From Tha Chuuuuch to da Palace" is among the first instances of Snoop Dogg collaborating with production duo Neptunes, who would become integral to the west coast legend's return to form and longevity. Peaking at No. 77 on the Billboard 100, "From Tha Chuuuuch to da Palace" would serve as one of the building blocks in Snoop's newfound liberation after breaking ties with Death Row Records.
1
"Beautiful"
Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell Williams & Charlie Wilson
Known more for his disposition as a ruthless pimp than being a Casanova, Snoop Dogg threw listeners a curve-ball with the release of "Beautiful," the second single from his Paid Tha Cost to be Da Boss album. Produced by The Neptunes and featuring guest vocals from Pharrell Williams and Gap Band frontman Charlie Wilson, "Beautiful" is both a sonic and lyrically departure from Snoop's previous work up til that point and would prove to be one of the biggest hits of his career, peaking at No. 6 on the Hot 100 and netting the rapper two Grammy nominations. Although 15 years have passed since it was released, "Beautiful" is required listening in any festive setting and an undeniable classic by one of rap's most storied figures.