Up In Smoke Tour 2000 - Med Dr Dre- Snoop Dog- ...
The Up In Smoke Tour grossed over $35 million (over $55 million adjusted for 2025 inflation) and sold over 800,000 tickets. But numbers don't tell the story.
1. The Blueprint for Superstar Tours: Before this, major acts like The Rolling Stones or U2 did massive stadium tours. Rap was seen as "dangerous" for big venues. The Up In Smoke Tour proved that hip-hop could not only fill arenas but could command the same stage production budget as rock legends.
2. The "Med" Aesthetic: The tour solidified the image of Dr. Dre as the cigar-smoking kingpin, Snoop as the reggae-infused philosopher of funk, and Eminem as the angry white kid who deserved the throne.
3. The Documentary: For those who missed it, the Up in Smoke Tour DVD became a holy relic. Filmed in high quality, it allowed fans worldwide to see the chemistry between Dre, Snoop, and Em. Watching the "med" sessions on the tour bus (where legends freestyled for hours) became required viewing for aspiring rappers.
There have been bigger tours (Watch the Throne) and longer ones (Drake & Future), but there has never been a more essential rap tour than the Up In Smoke Tour 2000. It was the victory lap for Death Row’s legacy, the launchpad for Shady Records, and the final flourish of the West Coast G-Funk era before the South (Lil Wayne, T.I.) and the Midwest (Kanye) changed the sound again.
If you search for the "Up In Smoke Tour 2000 - med Dr Dre - Snoop Dogg - ..." you are looking for that moment smoke machines mixed with real smoke, when the bass rattled the rafters, and when four titans of hip-hop shared one stage. It was messy, loud, profane, and absolutely perfect.
Blaze it up one time for the greatest tour of all time.
Did you attend the Up In Smoke Tour in 2000? Share your memories in the comments below. For more deep dives into classic hip-hop visuals and tours, subscribe to our newsletter.
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. Up In Smoke Tour 2000 - med Dr dre- snoop dog- ...
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 of 2000 is widely considered the most iconic hip-hop tour in history, serving as a massive victory lap for West Coast rap and a launching pad for the "Shady-Aftermath" era. The "Hip-Hop Super Bowl" Lineup
The tour was a traveling festival of legends, originally announced to promote Dr. Dre's collaborative album . The core headliners were: : Headlining his first-ever tour. Snoop Dogg
: Fresh off his transition to No Limit Records but reuniting with Dre. : At the peak of his early career following the release of The Marshall Mathers LP
: Bringing veteran West Coast energy and even staging mini-reunions of with MC Ren. Other prominent acts included , and groups like Westside Connection Setting a New Standard for Rap Shows
Before this tour, large-scale rap concerts often struggled with reputations for poor organization or security issues. To counter this, promoters hired production crews with experience on Pink Floyd tours. The result was a high-budget spectacle featuring: The New York Times
The Up in Smoke Tour (2000) was a landmark 44-city hip-hop tour across the United States and Canada that ran from June 15 to August 20, 2000. Headlined by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, it featured a heavy-hitting lineup including Eminem, Ice Cube, and Xzibit. It is widely considered one of the greatest rap tours ever, solidifying the dominance of West Coast hip-hop and Eminem’s rise to mainstream superstardom. The Legendary Lineup
The tour was essentially a "family affair" of Aftermath and Priority Records artists. Headliners: Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg.
Core Performers: Eminem (with D12), Ice Cube (with Westside Connection), and Xzibit.
Special Guests: The tour featured numerous appearances by Nate Dogg, Warren G, Kurupt, MC Ren, Mack 10, WC, Tha Eastsidaz, and Truth Hurts. Notable Performances & Highlights
The Up in Smoke Tour was a landmark West Coast hip-hop concert tour that took place in 2000, widely regarded as one of the most iconic and professional rap tours in history. Headlined by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, the tour served as a massive showcase for the "Shady/Aftermath" era, featuring a high-octane lineup including Eminem, Ice Cube, and Xzibit. A Historic Lineup and Massive Production
Launched on June 15, 2000, in Chula Vista, California, the tour spanned 44 dates across the United States and Canada, concluding on August 20 in Greenwood Village, Colorado. It was produced by a team including Magic Johnson’s Dream Team, LLC, and was Dr. Dre’s first-ever national live tour. The Up In Smoke Tour grossed over $35
The core performers were supported by an extensive list of legendary guests and collaborators: Main Acts: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Ice Cube.
Supporting Artists: Nate Dogg, Warren G, Kurupt, MC Ren, Xzibit, D12, Westside Connection (Mack 10, WC), and many others.
Production Value: The tour was noted for its elaborate, high-tech stage design, which included pyrotechnics, large-scale visuals, and a "family affair" atmosphere meant to unite fans across different backgrounds. Cultural Impact and Legacy
The tour grossed approximately $22 million and sold over half a million tickets, with prices ranging from $35 to $55. Beyond the numbers, it is remembered for several defining moments: The Up in Smoke Tour (DTS) - Amazon.com
The "Up in Smoke Tour" was not just a musical event but a cultural phenomenon. It showcased the camaraderie and collective talent of West Coast rappers during a period when the region was particularly influential in shaping hip-hop's mainstream sound. The tour included performances by:
The tour was titled "Up in Smoke" as a playful reference to both marijuana culture, which was prevalent in West Coast hip-hop, and the smoking hot performances of the artists involved. It was well-received by fans and critics alike, praised for showcasing the chemistry and charisma of the artists on stage.
The "Up in Smoke Tour 2000" played a role in reviving interest in West Coast hip-hop and demonstrated the staying power and creativity of the artists involved. It remains a memorable moment in hip-hop history, celebrated for bringing together some of the genre's most iconic figures at a pivotal moment in their careers.
Summer 2000. The calendar was about to turn a new millennium, and Hip-Hop was searching for its defining moment. The East Coast vs. West Coast feud was a fading scar, the shiny suit era was suffocating, and the genre needed a coronation. It got one in the form of a tour bus, a giant inflatable joint, and a lineup so stacked it looked like a rap video game cheat code.
The Up In Smoke Tour wasn't just a concert; it was a victory lap for the West Coast’s resurrection and arguably the greatest Hip-Hop tour ever assembled.
Ice Cube: The Original Gangsta Opening the main set, Ice Cube commanded the stage with the aggression of his N.W.A days. Performing hits like "The Nigga Ya Love to Hate" and "It Was a Good Day," Cube set the tone with high energy. His set also featured a memorable reunion with WC and Mack 10 as Westside Connection, performing their anthem "Bow Down."
Eminem: The New King If the tour was a coronation for Dre, it was a victory lap for Eminem. Dressed in his signature white tee and baggy jeans, Marshall Mathers tore through tracks like "The Real Slim Shady" and "Marshall Mathers." Despite the controversy surrounding his lyrics at the time, the crowd embraced him. A poignant moment occurred during his performance of "Stan," solidifying his status not just as a shock rapper, but as a premier storyteller.
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg: The Dynamic Duo The heart of the show was the chemistry between Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Performing together for the first time in years on such a scale, they revis
Up In Smoke Tour 2000 wasn't just a concert series; it was a cultural shift that solidified the "Shady Aftermath" era and showcased West Coast hip-hop at its absolute peak. The Lineup of Legends Headlined by Snoop Dogg
, the tour featured an unprecedented roster of talent including: The Icons: The Support: , Mack 10, Westside Connection, and Tha Eastsidaz famously paid $1 million in bail just to ensure
could join the tour and perform his essential hooks for tracks like "The Next Episode" and "Regulate". Cultural Impact & Legacy
Up In Smoke Tour 2000 – The Most Legendary Hip-Hop Rollout of All Time Did you attend the Up In Smoke Tour in 2000
In the fall of 2000, hip-hop history was written in diesel fumes and blunt smoke. The Up In Smoke Tour didn't just cross the country – it blazed through it, leaving a trail of bass drops, blue lights, and unforgettable cameos.
Headliners:
Also appearing:
What went down: Massive inflatable joints, a rotating stage, Puff Daddy showing up unannounced in Detroit, and a 90-minute N.W.A reunion that nearly broke the internet before the internet was even that cool.
The verdict: If you weren't there, you can still feel the smoke. This wasn't just a concert – it was a coronation of West Coast dominance, a victory lap for 2001, and the blueprint for every stadium hip-hop tour that followed.
"Still ain't forgettin' that tour, baby. Blunts in the air forever." – Snoop Dogg (probably)
Would you like a shorter version for a flyer or an Instagram caption as well?
The Up in Smoke Tour of 2000 remains arguably the most iconic concert tour in hip-hop history. Headlined by titans like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and a rapidly rising Eminem, the 44-show trek across North America solidified the dominance of West Coast hip-hop and set a new gold standard for rap production and performance. The Lineup: A Hip-Hop Super Tour
The tour was initially announced in 1999 as a promotional vehicle for Dr. Dre's landmark album 2001. Originally titled "The Boyz in the Hood," the final roster read like a Hall of Fame induction ceremony: Headliners: Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Major Acts: Ice Cube and Eminem.
Special Guests: The tour featured an expansive supporting cast including Xzibit, Nate Dogg, Warren G, MC Ren, Kurupt, Mack 10, WC, Devin the Dude, and groups like D12 and Tha Eastsidaz. Key Highlights and Performances
The tour was legendary for its massive production value, which included pyrotechnics, hydraulic low-riders, and elaborate stage sets like the 50-foot "Chronic Skull" that would descend and interact with the crowd.
The roster for Up in Smoke read like a Grammy nomination list. While the headliners were Dre, Snoop, and Cube, the undercard was equally lethal. Eminem had just released The Marshall Mathers LP and was the most controversial—and popular—rapper on the planet. Xzibit was hitting his stride, blending underground credibility with mainstream appeal, largely thanks to his anthemic hit "What U See Is What U Get." The tour also featured dynamic duo Tha Eastsidaz and the vocal stylings of Nate Dogg, the hook-master who provided the soul of G-Funk.
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."