To understand the gravity of this tour, look at the roster. In 2000, every single headliner was at a career peak or inflection point:
The year 2000 was a unique time capsule. This was right before 9/11, before smartphones, before streaming. The crowd was a sea of Dickies suits, white tees, throwback jerseys, and sideways fitted caps. The air in the arena was thick—literally. The "Up in Smoke" title wasn't just a name; it was a warning. Medical marijuana was just becoming a conversation in California, but in those arenas, the "...med" was the law of the land.
Nate Dogg’s smooth hooks on "Xxplosive" and "Bitch Please" provided the melodic relief between the high-octane verses. When the lights dimmed during Snoop's "Gin and Juice," a hazy blue light washed over the crowd, creating a surreal, communal experience that modern concerts rarely replicate.
In the year 2000, the landscape of hip-hop was shifting. The East Coast had dominated the late 90s, and the West Coast was still reeling from the tragic deaths of titans like Tupac Shakur and the fracturing of the Death Row Records empire. The genre needed a reminder of who built the modern industry.
Enter the Up in Smoke Tour.
Billed as the definitive hip-hop spectacle of the new millennium, the tour was a massive, high-budget production headlined by the "Holy Trinity" of West Coast rap: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube, with a scene-stealing supporting turn from a then-rising Eminem.
It wasn't just a series of concerts; it was a cultural reset. Here is a look back at the tour that reminded the world that the West Coast had indeed "still got love for you."
The tour ran from June to September 2000, hitting 40+ cities in the US before jumping to Europe. It grossed over $35 million, a massive sum at the time for a rap tour. But the money wasn't the point.
Before Up In Smoke, major promoters thought "rap tours" were risky, violent, or niche. After Up In Smoke, stadiums realized that Hip-Hop wasn't just a genre—it was the culture.
In an era of boy bands and nu-metal, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg reminded the world that the chronic was still burning and that the West Coast had not just survived; it was smoking the competition.
Twenty-five years later, if you were there, you still smell the smoke. If you weren't? You've spent your entire life listening to your older cousin tell you about it.
Were you at the Up In Smoke Tour? Let us know in the comments. Up In Smoke Tour 2000 - med Dr dre- snoop dog- ...
Hip-hop tours prior to 2000 were often criticized for poor sound quality and minimal staging. Dr. Dre, a known perfectionist, changed the game entirely. The Up in Smoke Tour brought arena-level production to rap.
The stage design was a sprawling set featuring lowered lowrider cars, hydraulic lifts, and massive video screens. The show was structured as a seamless narrative, moving from sets by the supporting acts into explosive solo performances, culminating in a grand finale that felt like a family reunion.
Up in Smoke Tour was a landmark West Coast hip-hop concert series in 2000, headlined by Snoop Dogg
. It is widely considered one of the most significant tours in hip-hop history for its high production values and legendary lineup. Core Tour Information June 15 – August 20, 2000.
Included 44 shows across the United States and Canada, grossing $22 million. Original Title: Initially called "The Boyz in the Hood". Historical Impact: It was the first tour for Dr. Dre and served to promote his The All-Star Lineup
The tour featured a massive roster of established legends and rising stars: Headliners: Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Co-Headliners:
Ice Cube and a young Eminem (who was just becoming a global superstar). Key Performers: Xzibit, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Warren G, and MC Ren. Supporting Acts:
Westside Connection, D12, Tha Eastsidaz, Truth Hurts, and Devin the Dude. Key Highlights & Trivia Nate Dogg's Bail:
Before the tour, Nate Dogg faced serious legal charges. Dr. Dre reportedly paid a $1 million bond
to ensure Nate could perform, as he was vital to the West Coast sound. Production Quality:
Unlike many previous hip-hop shows, this tour used high-budget "Broadway-style" production, including complex stage setups and cinematic interludes. DVD Release: To understand the gravity of this tour, look at the roster
A professional recording of the Worcester, Massachusetts gig (July 20, 2000) was released on DVD in December 2000.
Here’s an engaging, story-driven text about the legendary Up In Smoke Tour (2000).
When Hip-Hop Set the World on Fire: The Up In Smoke Tour 2000
Before the era of social media rollouts and stadium-filling pop stars, there was a moment in the summer of 2000 when hip-hop proved it could not only sell out arenas—but incinerate them. The name said it all: The Up In Smoke Tour.
At a time when critics were still debating whether rap was a fad, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Ice Cube rolled out a two-and-a-half-hour clinic in dominance that changed touring forever.
The Lineup: A Mount Rushmore of West Coast (and Detroit) Chaos
Picture the scene: a massive stage designed like a gritty South Central Los Angeles street corner—streetlights, graffiti walls, and a 20-foot-tall inflatable joint that would puff "smoke" into the crowd.
The Vibe (and the Smoke Machine)
Legend has it the tour’s backstage area required its own ventilation system. Between the literal smoke machines, the fog from the inflatable joint, and the actual haze drifting up from the crowd, you could barely see the rafters. But you could feel every bass drop.
The show wasn’t just a concert; it was a narrative. It started with Dre behind the boards, then Snoop emerged from a lowrider replica. Cube would appear from a burning liquor store prop. And Eminem? He once rapped "Kill You" while being hoisted above a pit of stage divers.
Why It Still Matters
The Up In Smoke Tour grossed over $35 million—unheard of for a hip-hop tour at the time. More importantly, it shattered the industry's ceiling. Before 2000, rock bands like Kiss or The Rolling Stones had the touring monopoly. Afterward? Every rapper wanted pyrotechnics, props, and a live band.
For one summer, the coasts didn't matter (though it was proudly West Coast). Genre didn't matter. Even your mom probably heard "Forgot About Dre" on the radio.
The Up In Smoke Tour wasn't just a concert series. It was a declaration: Hip-hop was no longer a guest in the house of music. It had just burned the house down and built a bigger one.
So light it up, pass it to the left, and press play on "Still D.R.E." It’s 2000 all over again.
Up in Smoke Tour (2000) is widely considered one of the most legendary hip-hop tours in history, serving as a peak cultural moment for West Coast rap. Running across 44 dates in the U.S. and Canada, it grossed over $22 million and solidified the mainstream dominance of artists like Snoop Dogg The Iconic Lineup
The tour featured a "supergroup" roster that brought together multi-generational icons: Headliners: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Ice Cube. Key Performers: Xzibit, Nate Dogg, Warren G, Kurupt, and Mack 10. D12, Westside Connection, and Tha Eastsidaz. Special Guests: Appearances often included MC Ren and The D.O.C.. Memorable Highs The Stage Production:
Shows featured high-tech elements like a 15-foot talking skull, bouncing hydraulic lowriders, and elaborate pyrotechnics. N.W.A Reunion:
The encore sets frequently featured a partial N.W.A reunion with Snoop Dogg filling in for the late Eazy-E. Eminem’s Rise: The tour took place right as The Marshall Mathers LP
sat at #1, marking the exact moment Eminem transitioned into a global superstar. Collaborations: Fans witnessed live versions of classics like "Forgot About Dre," "Still D.R.E.," and "The Next Episode". Legacy and Media The tour’s energy was immortalized in a The Up in Smoke Tour DVD
, released in December 2000, which featured raw behind-the-scenes footage and multi-camera concert recordings. Despite years of rumors regarding a "sequel" tour, no official second run ever materialized, keeping the original 2000 run as a unique, unrepeatable era in hip-hop.
Detailed setlists and song performance counts from the tour can be found on Setlist.fm blog-style summary based on these facts? Were you at the Up In Smoke Tour
