As the dramatic sounds of O Fortuna reverberated around the Brighton Dome, and the most enormous security guards took their place in the wings, it was clear that rap royalty was making his way to the stage.

He took his time (15 minutes late) but Snoop Dogg, king of West Coast hip hop, made a relatively laidback entrance in keeping with his easygoing lyrical style, which he quickly laid down on the distinctive steel drum rhythms of P.I.M.P.

With a packed audience hanging on his every word, Snoop continued the party with 2Pac and Biggie Smalls favourites, mixing it up with old school Gin And Juice and slowing it down “sexy-style” with a dedication to all the ladies in Sensual Seduction.

A moment of quiet for his late cousin Nate Dogg saw the flickering of lighters waving in the darkness.

New track Wet introduced more of a club feel, and on Sunday night the crowd seemed unsure of the new direction, preferring the rib-shaking bass and melodic flow of the classics.

The roof was blown off the Dome when the opening bars of House Of Pain’s Jump Around came crashing through and the crowd moved up and down as one, hands in the air.

The frenzy continued as the super-slick Drop It Like it’s Hot followed, rounded off with vintage Snoop – What’s My Name?

Barely an hour after coming onstage, Snoop Dogg removed his sunglasses and said, “Take a good look at this face. I’ll come back any time you want me.”

The iconic figure sloped off stage but the cries for an encore went unmet. And as the cries turned to boos, Snoop’s words felt like a rather empty promise.