Opening for legend Snoop Dogg!!

— KARISHMA NAINA (click here to know more about this blogger)

“Bringing it back from the old skool cause he’s so cool... who's ready for some history in the making? Are you ready to 'Drop it like it’s hot, pop it like it’s hottt?' Now I know the Lion ain't sleeping tonight, let me hear you make some noise!!!!” As I belted out those lines on-stage with thousands of fans screeching at the top of their lungs and Snoop Dogg standing on the steps behind me, having just given me a gangster hug in his red fur coat, side by side to my faux fur coat, it was surreal that I was opening for one of my personal legends: Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion.

We were in the heart of Pune and exhausted having driven four hours from Mumbai and up partying the night before with Snoop at Aurus for the Adidas party. Meeting him the night before being on stage with him in Pune made the experience that much more exciting. To tell you the truth I was overwhelmed by how warm and endearing he is in real life. He took such care in meeting and speaking to every one at length and I got to talk to him about the show, dance with him and click some pics. The guy has presence no doubt and he was magnanimous in his time and energy.

It is abundantly evident that he wears his new avatar as a Rastafarian well. Having morphed his name from Snoop dogg to Snoop Dogg aka Lion, Snoop is embracing his spiritual side and indulging in a rasta way of life. Whatever it is that he is doing, the dogg’s still got it going on and he brought it to India for his maiden voyage with a solid bang!! The day in Pune was long and hot and the event which was brought to all by Micromax at Live Arena and produced by Indigo live music started at 12 noon (which no one had informed me about) with a round of DJ’s and B Boys. I arrived at the hotel at 12noon only to be told to immediately report to Amonara grounds and be on stage. Up until this moment and about 16 unreplied emails prior, I was yet to receive a show flow or script for the event!!!!!

I was booked to be on stage at 6 p.m. for the concert and had no idea there was a day full of events at hand. Shocked to find out on arrival that I was on stage immediately and without any day clothes on hand but my show outfit which was a short, gold sequined dress and furs, I was peeved to say the least. I was aware that I was being played and taken advantage of in this situation but I put my professional front on and wore what I had (thank goodness my outfit was a gorgeous Nikhil Thampi black cape and black short skirt) and jumped up on stage without any complaint. The atmosphere backstage at the venue was frantic and frazzled and the Indian organizers seemed overwhelmed - one in particular had a Napoleon complex. It was amusing to watch the dance of egos but just to be here I was so excited and appreciative I gave it my all and had fun till the end.

DJ SA had the crowd going nuts in anticipation for the Lion’s wrath and it all came to a head with Bombay Basement playing a crazy set to get the crowd going before the Lion took centre stage. The area was divided into two stages and backstage had cabins and vans for each artist including me. I was placed opposite the “Snoopadelics” which consisted of Snoop’s brother, cousin, Daz, Kurupt and the two gorgeous snoop dancers. It was the perfect place to be and the second I walked into my room, I had my friendly snoopadelic neighbors call me over to their room for a chit chat and a welcome. I spent the night chatting and posing for pics with this entertaining lot who completely made my night. Post show we found ourselves at “Miami” - The Marriott for the after party and a very early morning 7 a.m. departure back to Bombay. What a mad, mad whirlwind experience it was and just to be so close to snoop and hear all my fave old skool tracks like “gin and juice” and “G thang” and “Next episode” was a moment I will never forget. And to start the year on stage with a legend feels like the year is headed full of many wonderful surprises. Viva la 13 babyyyy.

And I must give a hola out to the incredibly professional, witty and on the ball duo from Indigo music live, David Buttrey and Nick Landry who brought the show to life and made it a super success.

Twitter @KarishmaNaina

15-JANUARY-2013

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10 Comments

22 January 2013 Connie
Awesome blog - you are such a good writer, I feel like I was right there centre stage with you! Well done!! :)

16 January 2013 Harshita Soni
Your blogs, full of life and excitement and professionalism, motivates me and my sister to GO OUT THERE and live. or at least try to achive what we came for in Mumbai.

16 January 2013 Kanika Mahajan
love your blogs... and look forward to it!!!

16 January 2013 jaspreet singh khichi
I absolutely love Snoop Lion. Was a staple in NYC. Lived the show through you now. Thanks lady.

16 January 2013 Karishma Naina Sharma
Hey Guys thanx so, so much for your support! To Bani Chawla, yes of course i get thrilled, especially with Snoop because i used to live in New York and generally have always been a hip hop fan and you cant think of hip hop without thinking of Snoop and Dr Dre!! To Shonali Kapur, It's hardwork!!! There are definitely glam elements to it but it's not the easiest life in the world. We all work very, very hard with incredibly long hours, a boat load of ego's to deal with and the instability of it all. Every job has its perks and the difficult moments are just made easier when you realize you're doing all that you ever wanted to in life! To Mandira, he is warm and witty and larger than life. He was playful and very generous with his time. Thank you Tarana and Piyush. Big Hug to all,

15 January 2013 Bani Chawla
You being in the lime light always... how do you feel meeting celebrities like Snoop Dogg? Do you still get thrilled or is it all part of work?

15 January 2013 shonali kapur
You are always at the most amazing diverse functions... is it a tough life or is it as fun and glam as it seems to me?

15 January 2013 Mandira
What is he like in person?

15 January 2013 Tarana Mehendiratta
Lovely b log Karishma... you rock

15 January 2013 Piyush Nagpal
Way to go!!