Snoop Dogg Pushes Boundaries with Surreal AI-Powered Music Video for “Sophisticated Crippin’”

Hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg has once again proven himself a trailblazer, this time by embracing the cutting edge of technology in his latest music video for “Sophisticated Crippin’,” from his album Iz It A Crime?. The new video, directed by Jesse Wellens, is a wild, visually striking ride that leverages generative AI to create a world where reality and fantasy blur in the most unexpected ways.

The video opens with a memorable scene: a sharply dressed, present-day Snoop Dogg sits down for a conversation with his younger self, decked out in classic Crip colors. The older Snoop urges his younger counterpart to “keep crippin’, but keep it ‘sophisticated crippin’.” The surreal interaction between two versions of Snoop is a clear showcase of AI wizardry, and the strangeness only ramps up from there.

Moments later, viewers are transported to the front of a music venue lit up with “Snoop Dogg” in neon, while the names of other artists appear as AI-generated, nonsensical text—a subtle nod to the technology’s quirks. As the video unfolds, a parade of AI-generated cameos takes the stage, featuring digital recreations of legends like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, Warren G, Nate Dogg, and Tupac. Even classic photos of Snoop himself are brought to life, merging nostalgia with futuristic flair.

The result is a music video that’s as unsettling as it is captivating. The uncanny, almost dreamlike animation and unpredictable narrative twists are sure to spark debate—not just about the visuals, but about the growing role of AI in the entertainment industry. While some viewers may find the AI-generated imagery a bit eerie, others will be inspired by the creative possibilities these tools unlock, following in Snoop’s innovative footsteps.

This isn’t Snoop Dogg’s first foray into AI-powered visuals. In April, he released the video for “Last Dance with Mary Jane” featuring Tom Petty & Jelly Roll, which also utilized AI image generation software from Temple Caché. However, according to Little Black Book, every frame of that video was carefully refined by human artists, ensuring a seamless, high-quality result. “To achieve subtle details and ensure consistency across shots, each frame was touched by human artists – reanimated, composited and layered manually,” explained Andrew Linsk, Psyop’s head of studio partnerships.

Love it or question it, “Sophisticated Crippin’” marks another bold step in the evolving relationship between music, art, and artificial intelligence. One thing’s for sure: Snoop Dogg isn’t afraid to take fans along for the ride—no matter how weird, wild, or wonderfully futuristic it gets.