That's That
"That's That" (stylized as an euphemism for the explicit title "That's That Shit") is a hip hop song by American rapper Snoop Dogg, featuring additional vocals and songwriting contributions from R. Kelly, serving as the second single from Snoop Dogg's eighth studio album, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment.[1][2] The track was released on October 10, 2006 by Geffen Records and Doggystyle Records, preceding the album's full release on November 21, 2006.[1] Produced by Nottz, the song blends G-funk elements with contemporary hip hop production, incorporating samples from the bathroom scene in the 1988 film Coming to America (specifically "The Bath") and Snoop Dogg's prior hit "Drop It Like It's Hot" featuring Pharrell Williams.[3][4] Lyrically, it celebrates luxury, partying, and seduction in the club scene, with Snoop Dogg delivering his signature laid-back flow over a smooth, bass-heavy beat.[2] "That's That" achieved moderate commercial success, peaking at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and spending 16 weeks on the chart after debuting on December 9, 2006.[5][6] In the United Kingdom, it reached number 38 on the Official Singles Chart but performed better on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 7.[7] The accompanying music video, directed by Benny Boom, features Snoop Dogg and R. Kelly in opulent settings, emphasizing themes of wealth and indulgence, and was released on November 7, 2006.[8]Background and Production
Development and Recording
"That's That" served as the second single from Snoop Dogg's eighth studio album, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, which was released on November 21, 2006, by Doggystyle Records and Geffen Records. The track marked a key collaboration between Snoop Dogg and R. Kelly, initiated during the album's production in 2006, blending West Coast rap with R&B elements under Dr. Dre's supervisory role. The songwriting process began with initial drafts that received critical feedback from Dr. Dre, who instructed Snoop Dogg to discard the original lyrics and rework them to enhance the track's appeal.[2] Snoop Dogg then collaborated closely with The D.O.C., who contributed significantly to the final lyrics, resulting in a more polished and hit-worthy composition; official writing credits include Snoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus), R. Kelly (Robert Kelly), and Nottz (Dominick Lamb), with additional elements from Nile Rodgers.[9][10] This revision transformed what Snoop described as a "cool record" into a standout single, with Dr. Dre's oversight ensuring the infusion of West Coast G-funk influences characteristic of his production style.[11] Recording took place during mid-2006 at Record One Studios in Los Angeles, California, as part of the broader album sessions spanning November 2005 to September 2006. Snoop Dogg recorded his verses first at the studio, after which the track was sent to R. Kelly, who quickly added his hook and an extra bridge within three to four days, completing the collaboration efficiently.[11] Dr. Dre maintained production oversight throughout, guiding the sessions to align with the album's cohesive sound.Production Team
The production of "That's That" was led by Nottz (Dominick Lamb), a Norfolk, Virginia-based hip-hop producer renowned for his intricate, sample-heavy beats that blend soulful elements with West Coast G-funk influences. Nottz crafted the track's core beat, incorporating a sample from Nile Rodgers' "The Bath" (from the Coming to America soundtrack), which provided the funky guitar riff underpinning the song's bouncy rhythm. His contribution emphasized a polished, radio-friendly sound while maintaining the raw energy characteristic of Snoop Dogg's Aftermath-associated projects.[12] Recording and mixing duties were primarily handled by engineer Mauricio "Veto" Iragorri, a longtime collaborator in the hip-hop scene who has worked on numerous high-profile tracks for artists under Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. Iragorri oversaw the capture of vocals and integration of elements, ensuring sonic clarity and depth, with mixing at Record One Studios in Sherman Oaks, California. Assisting him were engineers Jeff Meeks and Robert "Roomio" Reyes, who contributed to the technical execution during sessions, focusing on layering and balance. Additional recording engineers included Chris Jackson, Abel Garibaldi, and Ian Mereness. Although Dr. Dre did not produce the beat, he provided critical feedback early in development, critiquing an initial version and prompting revisions that elevated the track to its final form.[12] Snoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus Jr.) served as the lead artist, delivering the primary rap verses with his signature laid-back flow, while R. Kelly contributed the infectious hook vocals, adding a smooth R&B layer that broadened the track's appeal. No additional backing vocals from Dogg Pound members are credited on the recording.[2][12] The track was recorded across multiple studios to accommodate the artists' schedules: primary sessions occurred at Record One in Sherman Oaks, California, with additional recording at Tha Cathedral in Hollywood, California, and The Chocolate Factory in Chicago, Illinois, where R. Kelly's parts were likely tracked.[2]Composition and Lyrics
Musical Elements
"That's That" exemplifies West Coast hip-hop with prominent R&B influences, driven by a mid-tempo groove at 82 beats per minute and set in the key of A minor.[13] This fusion reflects Snoop Dogg's signature G-funk style blended with R. Kelly's smooth vocal delivery, creating a laid-back yet infectious rhythm suitable for cruising or club play. A key sonic element is the interpolation of the melody from the bath scene in the 1988 film Coming to America, originally composed by Nile Rodgers for the movie's score, along with a sample from Snoop Dogg's previous hit "Drop It Like It's Hot" featuring Pharrell Williams.[2][14][4] Nottz, the track's producer, cleverly reworks these samples into the hook, layering them over modern production to evoke nostalgia while maintaining a contemporary edge.[2] The instrumentation centers on a deep, rumbling bassline that anchors the beat, accented by synthetic horn stabs and crisp drum machine patterns typical of polished hip-hop production. These elements build a lush, atmospheric backdrop over the song's 4:17 runtime, emphasizing groove and texture rather than complexity.[13] Structurally, the track opens with an intro by R. Kelly, followed by two verses from Snoop Dogg, recurring choruses, a bridge, and an outro.[2] It highlights call-and-response dynamics between Snoop Dogg's laid-back raps and R. Kelly's melodic hooks, enhancing the interactive feel of the composition.[2]Thematic Content
The core theme of "That's That Shit" revolves around braggadocio and the celebration of success in street life, portraying a narrative of indulgence, partying, and triumphant living within urban nightlife. The euphemistic title "That's That" serves as slang for high-quality marijuana, often phrased as "that's that shit," which underscores the song's emphasis on relaxed, euphoric experiences amid luxury and escapism.[2] This theme is woven through vivid depictions of club scenes, casual encounters, and material excess, reflecting a boastful confidence derived from overcoming hardships to achieve a carefree, dominant lifestyle. Snoop Dogg's verses dominate the narrative with boasts of luxury, such as arriving in a low-riding Phantom or '64 Impala with "hundred spokes and chronic smoke," symbolizing West Coast opulence and pride. He highlights interactions with women from the Midwest and Chicago (area code 312), contrasting them with his Los Angeles roots (area code 213), while emphasizing safe, consensual encounters and physical allure in lines like "Take that skinny nigga home, work that filling till it's gone." These contributions evoke Snoop's signature laid-back swagger, drawing on themes of mobility, sexual conquest, and regional identity to assert his enduring status in hip-hop culture.[2] R. Kelly's chorus reinforces the song's indulgent vibe, focusing on the sensory highs of the party atmosphere, from "blowin' trees" in the club to women dancing provocatively in a "titty bar style." His repetitive hook, calling out "Snoop Dizzle" and "your boy Kells," creates an anthemic call-and-response that amplifies the communal energy of excess and attraction, positioning the track as a soundtrack for uninhibited enjoyment. The bridge extends this by inviting listeners—particularly women—to connect across cities, blending flirtation with the song's overarching hedonism.[2] Lyrically, the song employs dense wordplay and slang rooted in hip-hop vernacular, including references to Snoop's Doggystyle era through monikers like "Doggy Dogg" and phrases such as "drop it like it's hot," which nod to his collaborative style with Pharrell Williams. Internal rhymes and multisyllabic schemes enhance the flow, as seen in lines like "real strong, real fat and real long," building rhythmic momentum. Structurally, each of Snoop's two verses follows a 16-bar format with a primarily AABB rhyme scheme, allowing for extended storytelling that balances external boasts with intricate, playful language.[2]Release and Formats
Single Release
"That's That" was released on October 10, 2006, as the second single from Snoop Dogg's eighth studio album, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, through Geffen Records.[15][16] The single was issued in multiple formats, including digital download, CD single, and 12" vinyl records, with both explicit and clean (radio edit) versions available to accommodate different markets and broadcast standards.[17] Promotion for the single emphasized a strong radio airplay campaign, beginning with its official premiere on Los Angeles station 92.3 K-Day on October 10, 2006, and it was integrated into Snoop Dogg's late-2006 tour setlists as part of the album's overall marketing strategy.[16]US 12" Vinyl (Promo)
The US promotional 12" vinyl release, issued by Geffen Records in 2006, features "That's That" on the A-side in multiple versions alongside "Crazy" (featuring Nate Dogg) on the B-side.[18]| Side | Track | Version | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | That's That (feat. R. Kelly) | Radio | 4:17 |
| A | That's That (feat. R. Kelly) | LP (Explicit) | 4:17 |
| A | That's That | Instrumental | 4:17 |
| B | Crazy (feat. Nate Dogg) | Radio | 4:31 |
| B | Crazy (feat. Nate Dogg) | LP (Explicit) | 4:31 |
| B | Crazy | Instrumental | 4:31 |
CD Single (Various Regions, Including US Promo)
Several CD single releases, primarily promotional, include versions of "That's That" such as radio edits, explicit LP versions, instrumentals, and in some cases acapellas. The standard US promo CD contains three tracks focused on "That's That."[19][20]| Track | Title | Version | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | That's That (feat. R. Kelly) | Radio Edit / Clean | 4:17 |
| 2 | That's That (feat. R. Kelly) | LP / Explicit | 4:17 |
| 3 | That's That | Instrumental | 4:17 |
International Editions
European CD Single
The European commercial CD single, released by Geffen Records in 2006, pairs "That's That" with the album track "Candy (Drippin' Like Water)" (featuring Daz Dillinger, E-40, Goldie Loc, Kurupt, and MC Eiht) as a B-side in explicit versions.[21]| Track | Title | Version | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | That's That (feat. R. Kelly) | Explicit | 4:19 |
| 2 | Candy (Drippin' Like Water) (feat. Daz, E-40, Goldie Loc, Kurupt, MC Eiht) | Explicit | 4:29 |
UK CD Single
The UK CD single release mirrors the European format, featuring "That's That Shit" (explicit album version) and "Candy (Drippin' Like Water)" (explicit). It was issued as an import edition in 2006.[22]| Track | Title | Version | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | That's That Shit (feat. R. Kelly) | Album (Explicit) | 4:17 |
| 2 | Candy (Drippin' Like Water) (feat. Daz, E-40, Goldie Loc, Kurupt, MC Eiht) | Album (Explicit) | 4:48 |
Other International Formats
Additional regional editions, such as the Australian enhanced CD single, include "That's That" (explicit), "Candy" (explicit), "That's That" (instrumental), and video content. European 12" vinyl releases feature similar track listings to the CD, with explicit and instrumental versions of "That's That." A total of over 16 variants exist across formats, with 5 primary configurations centered on radio, explicit, clean, instrumental, and B-side pairings.[17][23]Music Video
Concept and Filming
The music video for "That's That" was directed by Benny Boom.[8] The concept portrays Snoop Dogg as a luxurious "pimp" figure residing in a grand mansion, with sequences intercut between opulent interior scenes and gritty street environments to contrast wealth and origins; R. Kelly, meanwhile, is depicted in a vibrant club setting surrounded by dancers.[24] The visual style emphasizes high-gloss production values, bold and colorful palettes, and slow-motion sequences synchronized to the song's rhythm for dramatic effect. The visuals subtly reflect the song's sampling influences, enhancing the rhythmic flow through dynamic editing.[8]Release and Versions
The music video for "That's That" premiered on MTV on November 7, 2006.[8] Two primary versions of the video were produced: a clean edit that removes profanity and drug references to meet broadcast standards, and a full explicit version retaining the original content, which was distributed for platforms like BET and YouTube.[8] Following its U.S. debut, the video aired on MTV, BET, and VH1 as part of regular rotation on music television networks. It became available for digital purchase on iTunes in November 2006.[25] Internationally, the video aired on MTV Europe in December 2006, expanding its global distribution.[26]Commercial Performance
Chart Positions
"That's That" achieved moderate success on various international charts following its release in late 2006. In the United States, the single performed strongly on genre-specific charts, reflecting its appeal within hip-hop and R&B audiences.| Chart | Peak Position | Peak Date | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 20 | December 9, 2006 | 16 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 9 | December 30, 2006 | 24 |
| US Hot Rap Songs | 3 | - | - |
| UK Singles Chart (Official) | 38 | December 2006 | 4 |
| UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart | 7 | February 25, 2007 | 11 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 30 | - | 12 |
| Australian Singles Chart | 64 | - | - |