Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre left a London learning disabilities charity “shocked” after they sampled their song on their latest album Missionary.
The “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rapper reunited with the music mogul on the long-awaited follow-up to their iconic 2013 album Doggystyle, released this month, and it has now emerged that the pair used a sample of 2018’s “Watermelon Fantasy” by the non-profit Daylight Studio for the track “Outta Da Blue.” This represents one of the rare instances where a major hip-hop release features work from a disability charity.
“I was shocked. I remember being like: ‘Whaaaaaat?’ I didn’t know it was going to be released by Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg. I thought no, I thought it was a fantasy,” Tina Bruins, who featured on the original recording, told The Guardian newspaper.
Snoop Dogg brings a ‘good shock’
She went on: “It was a good shock because it sort of proves I make good music. I’m proud of [“Watermelon Fantasy”] because Snoop Dogg took it over.” The recognition from such prominent artists has brought unprecedented attention to the charity’s creative work.
“Outta Da Blue” has also been used on other formats, including featuring in the trailer for Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx’s upcoming Netflix movie Back in Action. The track’s inclusion in major media projects demonstrates its widespread appeal.
Proceeds from the single will benefit the charity and the disabled artists who featured on the track, providing crucial support for their ongoing creative endeavors.
Daylight Studio was founded after the day center of the same name for adults with learning disabilities in Islington, north London was closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The studio has since become a vital creative outlet for its community.
Recording engineer Jack Daley and producer-and-songwriter Oliver Price came up with “Watermelon Fantasy” in 2017 with Tina and fellow Daylight users Mandy Priddice and Cedrick Letshou Olembo. The collaborative nature of the project has highlighted the creative potential within the learning disabilities community.
“This is the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’m pretty certain I can say that this year has been the best year of my life because of it,” Daley said, reflecting the transformative impact of the collaboration.
Price said: “I still can’t believe it’s a real thing. It sort of feels divinely ordained because the song is called ‘Outta Da Blue’ and it came out of the blue and it’s like we’re living in a watermelon fantasy. It’s all quite funny really.” The serendipitous nature of the collaboration has added to its special significance.
A ‘life-changing’ collaboration
The pair say it will be “life-changing” for the charity, opening doors for future creative projects and partnerships.
“I’m excited about the charity and bringing attention to people with learning difficulties. They are often put in a box separate from society, and no one ever sees them or works with them … But they have a lot to offer as we have just demonstrated,” Price continued, highlighting the broader social impact of the collaboration.
And after catching the attention of Snoop and Dre, they are eager to collaborate with more superstars, showing the growing ambition within the organization.
Price added: “We want to continue creating music and maybe this won’t be the last sample. It would be awesome if Kendrick Lamar or Drake or someone [would use it]. You just don’t know.” The success of this collaboration has opened up new possibilities for inclusive music production.
The unexpected partnership between hip-hop royalty and a London charity has not only created a memorable musical moment but also highlighted the importance of recognizing and supporting creative talent within the learning disabilities community. This collaboration serves as a powerful reminder of music’s ability to bridge social divides and create meaningful connections across different communities.
