The big four of early-'90s West Coast rap
May 15 '00 (Updated May 17 '00)
There are those of you who think early-'90s West Coast rap is worthless and interchangeable. If you're read enough of my reviews, though, you know I feel just the opposite. I can make do with almost any album from the Big Four -- Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and 2Pac -- and I've got a 20-track mix tape to back it up:
1. Snoop Doggy Dogg -- G Funk Intro
The second track from Doggystyle is the one I always skip to anyway. It's fast-hitting, hard-edged P-Funk rap with extra vocals from Lady of Rage (her best verse, I'd say) and Warren G. And that segues to...
2. Snoop Doggy Dogg -- Gin and Juice
A smash party hit and the epitome of the G Funk era, this Doggystyle single has Midas-touch Dre production and some hilarious drawl moments from Snoop.
3. Dr. Dre introducing Snoop Doggy Dogg -- Deep Cover
Ultra-obscure, from the out-of-print movie soundtrack of the same name, this is the original Snoop/Dre team-up and a hell of a smooth concept rap about, among other things, "1-8-7 on the undercover cop."
INTERLUDE -- WBALZ
45 seconds or so with DJ Sol T. Nuts; it includes the WBALZ theme song (sung to the tune of Parliament's "Flash Light").
4. Snoop Doggy Dogg -- Tha Shiznit
I know I'm blowing my Doggystyle wad fast, but it's my favorite West Coast rap album and the pinnacle of the era. Snoop bobs and weaves around Dre's ever-smooth beats here.
5. Dr. Dre -- Nuthin' But a G Thang
Not only the biggest hit from the Death Row camp, but the absolute coolest and funkiest as well. No more need be said.
6. Dr. Dre -- Deez Nuts
Has to go back to back with "G Thang." From the opening prank call to the closing chants from the tasteless but respectable Nate Dogg, it's solid houligan rap.
7. Ice Cube -- Wicked
With all these Dre/Snoop songs, it's time for Ice Cube to get a word in edgewise with this hard-hitting song from The Predator. Some of the only West Coast rap you can really bang your head to.
8. Dr. Dre and Ice Cube -- Natural Born Killaz
No doubt inspired by the 1994 movie of the same name, this is some downright psychotic rap music. Leave it to Ice Cube to fantasize about pulling Charles Manson from a truck and bashing him about the head with a brick.
9. N.W.A. -- Straight Outta Compton
It's a staple bordering on cliche, but it laid the groundwork for the rest of the stuff on here, and it's the only song from any of the participants bad_ssed enough to follow "Wicked" and "Natural Born Killaz."
10. 2Pac -- I Get Around
And, just like that, we're back into the smooth, with a Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. single that boasts an irresistible synth-organ line.
11. Snoop Doggy Dogg -- Ain't No Fun (If The Homies Can't Have None)
Recently reworked for a bullsh@t Mariah remix, this Doggystyle song is bound to offend some and leave others in stitches, but it singlehandedly justifies Nate Dogg's existence.
INTERLUDE: When You Grow Up
A 6-year-old Snoop is called on by his teacher to give his plans for adulthood. "I wanna be a #*U&@&$R(*in' hustla."
12. Warren G f/Nate Dogg -- Regulate
My roommate James (hawkeye2010) and I have developed an odd, late-night drunken routine where we pop this in and assume the roles of Warren G and Nate Dogg, respectively. It's a song so gay you have to love it.
13. Ice Cube -- It Was a Good Day
The staple Predator hit sees Cube relaxed and carefree, for once, glad that he's finally seen the day when "I didn't even have to use my A.K."
14. Dr. Dre -- Lil' Ghetto Boy
Most of the vocals come from Snoop here, but they prove the weasly little bastard could be quite sensitive when the occasion called for it.
15. 2Pac -- So Many Tears
A current favorite of mine, from Me Against the World. 2Pac is in introspective mode and is complemented nicely by a stolen Stevie Wonder harmonica riff.
16. Snoop Doggy Dogg -- Doggy Dogg World
My original favorite song from Doggystyle, long before I had the album, this single features the soul group The Dramatics and well-integrated raps from Kurupt and Daz.
17. Ice Cube -- You Know How We Do It
The smoothest Cube song ever, with a too-catchy synth line and soulful backup from an unidentified female singer. I love this song.
INTERLUDE: $20 Sack Pyramid
"Give me my money, give me my weed, give me my 35 dollars to go to tha m#((@(*$*in' swap meet."
18. Dr. Dre -- ___ Wit' Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin')
Dre's kiss-off to N.W.A. founder Eazy-E, it's gained an entirely new dimension since E. died, but it's still pretty bad#ss.
Anyway, check my A-Z album reviews and "Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums" postings for more details. Most of these songs come from the same cluster of albums from the same artists. That was the idea, after all.
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