RULES GO UP IN SMOKE

Call it gangsta, call it hardcore or profane but anyone at the Snoop
Dogg and Ice Cube show Saturday at the Enmax Centre had to admit it
was one incredible party.

With flagrant disregard for city smoking bylaws and drug laws, a
couple of thousand avid fans were encouraged to light up and get high
by the hip-hop acts including Canada's own Belly who gave a
well-received opening performance.

Lethbridge is definitely hip to the hop and dope to the dope as the
Enmax centre air filled with the aroma of marijuana.

The crowd, many wearing the rap garb of long black T-shirts, XXX Large
sports jerseys or black hoodies and baggy pants topped by a baseball
cap, often twisted sideways, responded fervently to the rappers'
profanity-filled encouragement to light up.

The Enmax was like New Year's Eve at an adults-only club Saturday. The
crowd was loud and responsive - this definitely wasn't the Beach Boys
on stage.

The X-rated lyrics and drugs created a party atmosphere that only
police, security and the devoutly religious wouldn't love.

Belly got the party started midway through his set by toking up with
his crew. His friendly demeanour and creative lyrics made him an
instant hit with fans.

The crowd went wild when the Dogg Pound, two black rappers dressed
from neck to toe in white, hit the stage with their own West-Coast
style of rap.

They pushed the crowd to light up and insisted the lights be turned
off so the audience could bring out the pot stashes without being
spotted by security or police. By the time they'd finished, the stage
was a haze of grey smoke.

Fans roared in approval when one rapper noted Lethbridge may be Canada
"but it's still West Coast."

Security gave body searches to everyone entering the arena, causing
some lines but the checks were swift and seemed fairly thorough.

The audience was made up mostly of fans in their late teens to
mid-20s. Noticeably few elementary aged students were in the crowd -
no doubt due to the fact this is a show their parents probably
wouldn't want them exposed to.

Movie star and legendary rapper Ice Cube followed the pound on stage
and later in the show, too late for press-time, Snoop Dogg was
scheduled to give fans what they paid big money - more than $60 - to
see and hear.