Deep Cover

This is the theme song to the movie Deep Cover, which stars Laurence Fishburne as a cop who goes undercover to infiltrate a drug cartel. The song is based on the movie, from the perspective of the bad guys, out to do their business and blow away anyone who tries to stop them, including an undercover cop.

This was Dr. Dre's first release after the breakup of his group N.W.A. Issued on Epic Records, it was part of the Deep Cover soundtrack, which also includes "Mr. Loverman" by Shabba Ranks. Around this time, Dre was setting up his Death Row record label, which he used to release his first solo album, The Chronic, later in 1992.

"Deep Cover" was the first released song to feature Snoop Dogg (known at the time as Snoop Doggy Dogg); it was also his first appearance in a music video. Gangsta rap was dominated by loud, aggressive rappers, but Snoop had a surprisingly mellow flow and didn't rely on volume to get his point across. His style is what got the attention of Dr. Dre, who signed him to Death Row and introduced him on this track. Snoop's star turn was on The Chronic, where he was on several tracks, including the hit "Nuthin' But A G Thang." Snoop's first solo album, Doggystyle, was one of the most widely anticipated releases of the '90s. Produced by Dr. Dre, it debuted at #1 when it was issued in 1993.