Synopsis

A television report announces that Snoop Doggy Dogg has been shot, then the video reconstructs the events leading to his apparent death. After surviving a gang ambush, Snoop encounters the Devil, who offers him wealth, luxury, and a new lease on life in exchange for his soul. Reborn into a glamorous lifestyle, he quickly discovers that the deal has consequences. The story ends with his freedom and success overshadowed by guilt, danger, and imprisonment.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video is an abbreviated presentation of an 18-minute short film built around "Murder Was the Case" and "Lodi Dodi."

• The short was designed as a crossover project to introduce Snoop Doggy Dogg as an actor and expand Death Row Records into film production.

• Production was reported to cost approximately $750,000, a substantial budget for a music-based short at the time.

• The story came from the lyrics to "Murder Was the Case," which had appeared on Snoop's 1993 debut album, Doggystyle.

• The song and screenplay became closely associated with Snoop's real-life murder case, even though the track was recorded before he was charged and the filmmakers publicly denied a direct connection.

• The film used an R-rated approach, graphic violence, and elaborate special effects rather than the restrictions of a conventional television music video.

• The accompanying soundtrack debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling a reported 329,000 copies in its first week.

• The video won the 1995 Video of the Year award at The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards.