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 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 Up In Smoke Tour 2000 - med Dr dre- snoop dog- ...
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 The Up in Smoke Tour was a landmark
, 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?
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.
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. The Lineup: A Dynasty on Stage The roster
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."
To understand the gravity of this tour, look at the roster. In 2000, every single headliner was at a career peak or inflection point: