No Guns Allowed
by Snoop Lion (featuring Drake)

Album: Reincarnated (2013)
Charted: 108
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Diplo-produced electro-reggae track finds Snoop preaching peace: "No guns allowed in here tonight," he sings, "We're gonna have a free-for-all, no fight." The track was premiered live on Conan on March 11, 2013.
  • The song was inspired by a preceding spate of shooting incidents, including the mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School." 'No Guns Allowed' is a record that I wanted to do about all of this shooting and unnecessary schools getting shot up and whatnot and these kids getting bust on," Snoop told MTV News. "What I wanted to do was put together some music to try to put a different light on it, to try to stop people from doing that and try to bring some awareness to all this unnecessary violence with these guns."
  • The chorus features backing vocals from Snoop Lion's daughter, Cori B. This wasn't the first time Cori's voice had appeared on wax. In 2012 she recorded a single "Daddy's Girl" about their special father-daughter relationship. She was 12-years-old at the time.

    Cori is one of three children that Snoop fathered with his wife, Shante Taylor. The other two are sons Cordé and Cordell.
  • The song features a guest verse from Drake, who reflects on hearing about a shooting death back home. "I know somebody died, somebody's child, some people duck down and some people hide," he raps thoughtfully, "some people just cannot react in time, bullets do not choose a victim, it is the shooter that picks 'em."
  • Reincarnated's production was mainly handled by Diplo, who also served as executive producer for the disc. Diplo told Billboard magazine that Snoop Lion's record was the most rewarding project he'd been involved with for a long time. "The fact that I did every song on there is a big deal for a producer. It's something very different," he said. "It's weird though because it's the most controversial record he's ever done. He talks about guns and violence and crazy gangster stuff throughout this career and no one's batted a lash but when he talks about positivity and writes peaceful songs it's like the most controversial thing he's ever done. It's been fun to be a part of and I'm really proud of the records."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.