This is dedicated to the n-ggaz who said gangsta rap was dead. F-CK Y’ALL!-Snoop

Hip hop is a strange thing. One second you can be the hottest rapper on the planet, recording with some of the dopiest producers and emcees in the game, and in the next, you can be signed to one of the most HATED labels in hip hop, recording albums that aren’t even fit for tea coasters and recording with some of the wackiest emcees and producers in the universe. This, my friends, is the tragic story of Long Beach born emcee Snoop Doggy dogg…

Born Calvin Broadus on the 20‘th October, 1972, the often inspiring and often saddening tale of the rise and fall of Snoop doggy dogg, is a story of which the majority of hip hop fans know all too well…

First introduced to the world in 1991 on the infamous track ‘Deep cover’ alongside mentor and long time producer / friend Dr Dre. Snoops lazy sing song method of rapping proved a popular hit with rap fans, and secured him a deal with the now ‘infamous’ deathrow records. Ran by Dr Dre and businessman ‘Suge Knight’ (who’s like to think upon himself as a genius, I prefer to think upon him as a complete prick.) Deathrow records scored a huge hit with the ‘deep cover’ soundtrack, and snoop’s classic verse (187 on a mother f-cking cop) produced A LOT of hype, which was only made larger when Dr Dre dropped his CLASSIC debut breakthrough ‘The Chronic.’

Featuring Snoop on numerous tracks. The Chronic’ sent air waves through hip hop, and snoop’s popularity went through the roof, particularly after the classic hit single "Nuthin" But A "G' Thang" was released. But things were about to get tough for poor snoop…

After presenting a gong to En Vogue in September 1993 at the MTV video awards, Snoop was arrested and put into police custody on the charges of murder. Of course, Snoop strongly denied the allegations put forward against him, but if anything, this only boasted his popularity EVEN HIGHER, as the shooting made him look ‘real,’ sending record sells of his recently released debut album ‘Doggystyle’ to a fever pitch.

Released just shortly before snoop was arrested, ‘doggystyle’ is without doubt one of the greatest albums of all time, and despite being hyped beyond belief months before a release date was even set, still lived up to everyone’s expectations and was the first debut album in history to go into the billboard chart at number one. But music was the last thing on snoop’s mind come November 1995…

After waiting 2 years, Snoop’s murder trial finally went to court and attracted a great deal of media attention, due in part to Snoop defence attorney being Johnnie Cochran, O.J. Simpson's successful defender. The verdict on 20 February 1996 acquitted Snoop and McKinley Lee of both murder charges, and the manslaughter cases were later dropped in April. The trial had not overtly damaged his record sales, with ‘Doggystyle topping the seven million mark, and the follow-up Tha Doggfather (the review in question) entering the US album chart at number 1, although it ultimately failed to match the commercial success of Doggystyle.

But…

After a subsequent falling out with the ailing Death Row Records, 1998 saw Snoop transfer to Master P's highly commercial label, No Limit Records. Now known as Snoop Dogg (having dropped the doggy from his name), he released the God awful Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told in August 1998. Repeating the success of his first two albums, it debuted straight in at the billboard number 1.

So, after criticism from fans that ‘Da game is to be sold, Not to be told’ of having to much of a southern feel to it, Snoop Dogg released another new album, No Limit Top Dogg, in May 1999, this time recruiting producers such as Dr Dre and DJ Quik to be bring a classic west coast vibe to his work. Though not a prefect release, No limit top dogg, did have a couple of bangers, and was a huge improvement over the horrible ‘Da game is to be sold, Not to be told’. Anyway…

After releasing his last album on no limit records entitled ‘The last meal,’ Snoop begin work on his own record label ‘doggystyle records,’ and in 2002 released his latest album ‘Paid da cost to be boss.’ Though not an excellent album, ‘Paid da cost to be da boss’ was still a solid release, and showed a more laidback, reflective style that hadn’t been used by Snoop since he released ‘Tha Doggfather’ 6, long years ago…

Released in 1996 on the infamous deathrow records, ‘Tha doggfather’ went straight into the billboard chart at number one, although it ultimately failed to match the commercial success of Doggystyle. Now some blame this on the fact that the album was released shortly after the death of Tupac, meaning there was a backlash on the sale of ‘gangster rap’ related albums. But I’m personally not feeling that excuse. I personally believe it’s solely because ‘Tha doggfather’ just WASN’T as good as ‘doggystyle.’ Which was really down to the fact that ‘doggystyles’ producer Dr Dre had recently departed from deathrow before the recording of ‘Tha doggfather’, leaving relatively new producers (at the time) DJ Pooh and Dat n*gga Daz in control of production, which was always going to be a huge risk.

But still, despite Dre’s departure and two relatively amateur producers on production, I still think ‘Tha doggfather’ was, and still is slightly underrated. That’s why I’ve decided to finally drop by, and leave my epinion on one of hip hop’s most slept on releases. So, ladies and gentleman I present to you, ‘Tha doggfather’…

Track listing

1. Intro
2. Doggfather
3. Ride 4 me
4. Up jump tha boogie
5. Freestyle conversation
6. When I grow up
7. Snoop bounce
8. Gold rush
9. (Tear ‘em off) Me and my doggz
10. You thought
11. Vapours
12. Groupie
13. 2001
14. Sixx minutes
15. (D.J) Wake up
16. Snoop’s upside ya head
17. Blueberry
18. Traffic Jam
19. Doggyland
20. Downtown assassins
21. Outro

1. Intro (SKIT)

A short, yet interesting introduction, this has a dark violin sample playing lightly in the background, while short extracts from various different news reporters are played as they all discuss Snoop’s murder charge. Snoops ends it by claiming that Gangster rap is not dead, but very much alive. Opens up…

2. Doggfather (5/5)

The first single off the album, ‘Doggfather’ see’s snoop adopting a very Mafioso persona as he introduces himself back into the limelight over a masterful ‘Daz produced track. Using a drum / clap combo, hard bass, and an Italian-influenced guitar loop, Daz provides Snoop and guest Charlie Wilson (who croons a classic chorus) with an excellent backdrop for them to do their thang. An absolute classic track, ‘doggfather’ see’s snoop rapping in a very laid back style, and Daz’s production, while sounding very different from Dre’s work with Snoop, meshes well with Snoop’s style, and together they provide a track worthy of 5 stars. Example:

I put down more hits than mafioso made
And Lucky Lucianno 'bout to sing soprano
And I know, I know the way you feel
And baby bubba we gon' keep it on tha real
Just to get you caught up in amazement
We puffin' on Cubans so it might get dangerous
But when it isn't, you can sit izzon bizzack
And let the Bizzow Wizzow ride the trizzack, ha ha
How you feelin'? I'm up to dealin', ridin' like a villan
Makin' a killin', thrillin' the crowd wit my new hairdo,
Outfits unused, fifty dollar socks, hundred-thousand dollar shoes
Man, I'm givin' blues to these sucka MC's
Who you be? You know who I be, young n*gga
I'm Tha DoggFather

3. Ride 4 me (SKIT)

Short, pointless, boring, and un-necessary are a few words in which describe ride 4 me. An absolute waste of space skit, ride 4 me sees Snoop and a pal jump and shoot a guy from the hood that they didn’t like. Completely un necessary, ride 4 me plays no other part on this album then to waste time, and make the album appear longer than it actually is. Opens up…

4. Up jump tha boogie (4/5)

After the laidback style set on ‘Doggfather,’ Snoop and guests Charlie Wilson, Teena Marie, and Kurupt (though he’s un-credited for some reason) switch the style back into party mood with the G-funk athem ‘Up jump tha boogie.’ Produced by DJ Pooh, ‘Up jump tha boogie’ uses a neat bass / clap combo, odd keyboard loop, and some electric vocals, which sound irritating at first but eventually grow on you.

A pure club track, I have to admit I don’t usually enjoy tracks like ‘up jump tha boogie’ (in fact I despise most hip hop club tracks) but if your looking for a fun, above average track with some decent braggadiocio lyricism, production, and good performances from Kurupt and snoop, that I would recommend you check this one out. Just don’t go listening to it expecting anything especially special.

5. Freestyle Conversation (1/5)

Opening up with a small diss aimed towards Dr Dre due to his departure from deathrow records, ‘Freestyle conversation’ is the start of a considerable amount of filler on ‘Tha doggfather.

Unfortunately cursed from beginning to end, (due to bad production and emceeing) Freestyle conversation is most probably the wackiest track on the entire album. Produced by Soopafly, ‘Freestyle conversation’ immediately has to make do with some absolutely awful production. Using a simplistic beat, weak scratching, and a poor keyboard loop, producer Soopafly really should have done better then this. But, as well as having to make do with pitiful production, ‘Freestyle Conversation’ also oddly see’s snoop whispering his lines instead of rapping, which doesn’t work at all for him, and only lowers the tracks overall rating even lower. Skip.

6. When I grow up (SKIT)

Another pointless skit, ‘When I grow up’ see’s a small kiddie telling Snoop that he wants to be like him when he grows up. Sound stupid? It is stupid. Paves the way for…

7. Snoop bounce (1/5)

Again trying his hand at a club track, Snoop, unfortunately creates what sounds like a weak rehash of ‘Up jump of boogie,’ and only add’s to the albums growing list of filler. Produced by DJ Pooh, ‘Snoop bounce’ follows the rules of producing a hip-hop club track right down to a tether. Jiggy beat, rubbery baseline, poppy chorus. Pooh has followed the manual right down to the last word, and in doing so, has created an absolutely diabolical track. Even snoop, who can usually ride most beats given to him fails with this, and in turn, his flow sounds off making the track sound terrible, which then in turn, puts the listeners off, and if the listeners are put off it means its sh*t. And that my friends, is the one word that describes Snoop bounce perfectly. A big pile of steaming sh*t. Skip unless you really want to punish your ears.

8. Gold rush (4/5)

After the absolutely terrible snoop bounce, Gold rush at least attempts, and succeeds, at bringing some credibility back to the album. Produced by Arkim and Flair, Gold rush has a nice Wild West feel to it due to its funked up western guitar loop, and wild west influenced lyrics. Produced by Arkim and Flair, Gold rush uses a nice beat, western influenced guitar loop, and hard baseline that rips through the track completely. Now, lyrically this isn’t amazing. But then snoop was never known for his lyrical content or diversity, and Gold rush does see snoop attempting something new. And along with guest star Kurupt, pulls off a nicely put together track, that succeeds at clearing the stench of wackiness left behind by Snoop bounce completely.

9. (Tear ‘Em Off) Me and my doggz (1/5)

Opening off with a very funny skit (t’s not actually meant to be funny, but if you’ve got a dark sense of humour like myself, then you may get a small chuckle out of it) (Tear ‘Em Off) Me and my doggz then kicks in, and almost immediately brings back terrible memories of snoop bounce. Using a horrible electric keyboard loop, terrible clappy club beat, and rubbery baseline. The one word that describes (TEO) me and my doggz is unlistenable. And the only reason I gave (TEO) me and doggz 1.5 and not 0, is only because lyrically this isn’t too bad. With Snoop describing what doggz he gave to his homies. But asides from that. There is no reason what so ever to listen to (TEO) me and doggz, other then to purposely give your ears a right bashing. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED…

10. You Thought (1/5)

Oh Snoop. Why do you insist on adding more filler? Sigh…

Opening with a short introduction from DJ Easy d*ck (anybody who owns doggystyle should be smiling now), You thought soon delves into another terribly produced, wack a*s track, that I can’t believe actually made it onto an album that had some much potential. Produced by Soopafly (who also produced earlier disaster Freestyle conversation), You Thought is a terribly put together track, and feels all over the place. It has a nice beat, but ultimately fails to put it to good use, due to the fact that Soopafly lays an absolutely horrible keyboard loop on top it. Washing away any hope You Thought had in an instance. But, it doesn’t end there. As well as having horrible production. You thought is also just as bad lyrically, with Snoopattempting to go on PIMP on our a*ses, churning OUT the basic woman bashing, B*tch, Ho antics we’ve all heard a million times before. YAWN!

11. Vapours (5/5)

FINALLY, Snoop brings some credibility back to the album, with the very popular track Vapours. A remake of the Biz Markie track. Snoops version of Vapours is very reminisce of his remake of Slick Rick's "Lodi Dodi" on Doggystyle. In the sense that he takes a very popular track, and completely transforms it into his own.

Produced by DJ Pooh, Vapours uses a classic old skool beat, and is backed by a catchy baseline, and frequent saxophone sample. Setting a very Godfather/ Old school gangster type feel, which meshes perfectly with Snoops flow and lyricism throughout. Classic. Example:

Can you feel it, nothing can save ya
For this is the season of catching the vapors
Since I got time, what I'm gonna do
Tell ya how it's spreading throughout my crew
What you want on Nate Dogg
Who sings on my records, 'Never Leave Me Alone'
'Ain't No Fun', now check it
Back in the days before Nate Dogg would get it
He used to try to holler at this girl named Pam
The type of female wit fly Gucci gear
She wore a big turkish wole wit a weave in her hair
When they tried to kick it, she'd always fess
Talkin about baby please she wrought his service stress
Since he wasn't no type of big chronic dealer
The homie Nate Dogg didn't appeal to her
But now he wear boots that match with his suits
And push a Lexus Coupe that's extra cheap
And now she stop flautin and won't it speakin
Be comin round the Pound every single weekend
to get his beeper number she be beggin please
Dyin for the day to eat these

12. Groupie (3.5/5)

After the excellent Vapours, Snoop returns to his old pimp ways, with the sex driven Groupie. Featuring an all star cast of DPG, Warren G, Charlie Wilson, and Nate Dogg. Groupie is a decent track that just fails to get away, and evidently, leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth knowing that so much could have been done with the star studded guests snoop assembled.

Produced by Dat N*gga Daz (who often doesn’t get the credit he derserves behind the decks) produces a nice G-Funk driven track here, with a Stop/ Start beat, licking guitars, hard base, and the traditional G-funk keyboard loop, providing the guests with a nice backdrop for them to spit their sh*t. But that, unfortunately. Is where it all goes wrong…

All the guests spit mediocre sex lines, and Nate Dogg, who can usually save a track with his deliciously catchy chorus’s, croons a weak hook, which for me. Was the beginning of the end of groupie. So, overall Groupie is an average track that does it for me production wise. But lyrically and delivery wise. This fails behind my expectations. Average.

13. 2001 (4/5)

Following on from the disappointing Groupie, Snoop kicks things up a notch (and tempo) with the rather bouncy 2001. Produced by DJ Pooh, 2001 utilizes its club track status with a bouncy, hard beat, and skipping electronic keyboard loop. Now, think what you like, but I have to admit I actually quite enjoy 2001, and no matter how hard I try, my head nods like f*ck whenever I hear this. But, like the majority of the album, the production is the high point here, with Snoops lyricism sticking to the usual clubbish nonsense, which kinda drones on after a while, but, despite its failings. 2001 is defiantly a track worth checking out.

14. Sixx Minutes (2/5)

Now before I even begin, I think many can already predict where this is heading, after a 2/5 rating can only mean one thing. FILLER! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Produced by Arkim and Flair. Sixx minutes has a very quiet and calm feel to it, using a soft beat, and slow moving guitar loop, which may sound fitting to some, following on from the high paced 2001, but to honest with, I dislike its whole concept. First off, the production is way too boring and slow for and my liking. And second, Snoop switches his style from rapping, to talking, which is damn right wack, and it doesn’t mesh with the provided production at all. The only thing gaining Sixx minutes an extra mark is Snoop’s lyricism. Which details all about his haters, and how people have been trying to steal his style since Doggystyle. Only worth a listen for the lyricism.

15. (O.J) Wake Up (4/5)

Following on from the disappointing Sixx minutes, Snoop brings some originality and style back to the album, with the decent (O.J) Wake up. Produced by Snoop himself, (O.J) Wake up, is immediately recognizable due to its sample of Run DMC’S ‘It’s like that.’ Sampling the beat, (O.J) Wake up also uses a nice little xylophone loop (which reminds me of home alone for some reason), and a G-Funk influenced keyboard loop. Now lyrically this is pretty good, and Tray Deee from tha eastsidaz makes a quick guest appearance, which overall makes (O.J) Wake up a worthy listen that will especially appeal to old skool fans.

16. Snoop’s upside ya head (5/5)

PURE CLASSIC! Finally, Snoop brings us a track that is worth purchasing the album for (Even though Vapours came close), SNOOP’S UPSIDE YA HEAD! Produced by DJ pooh, everything about Snoop’s upside ya head production wise is prefect. A masterful beat, classic electronic baseline, and an infrequent guitar sample that occurs just after the hook. Snoop’s upside ya head is VERY bouncy, and finally gives DJ Pooh a chance to redeem himself after the disaster that was Snoop bounce. Now, lyrically this isn’t prefect, but is without a doubt satisfactory, and is very a doubt one of the better tracks on the album lyrically. So, overall Snoop’s upside ya head is a track that anybody can enjoy. Excellent production, decent lyricism, and a sing-a-along chorus all combine to create what I perceive as a classic. 5 stars without a doubt. Example:

N*ggas in the game be doin' way too much
Akin' tough with this east-west coast stuff.
See Me
I'm all about my money mane
I stay fly and dry
I don't get caught up in the rain
Cuz game recognize game
No matter where you from
We all can get dumb, insane and
turn the party out
without a doubt
Unless
you them n*ggas who ain't got no clout
LBC and B what?
Uh, my crew
Cuz uh, we out there smokin' on the krazy glue
Upside yo' head like oops
Snoop's
The sh*t, that you hear them bumpin' in the hoops.
Can't afford it
homeboy
This is finished
I represented
From V-A to Venice
So when it's timid
And cold outside
Rely on the Doggy Dogg
To put the heat in yo' life

17. Blueberry (4/5)

Remember For all my n*ggaz and b*tches off doggystyle? Well prepare to hear tha Doggfather version, as the DPG again reunite to spit flames on Blueberry.

Produced by Sam Sneed, blueberry is a nicely put together track, featuring a neat beat, deep baseine, and hard piano keys. Setting the tone perfectly. Now, like its predecessor (For all my n*ggaz and b*tches) Snoop doesn’t even spit here, and in his place is tha dogg pound and the L.B.C crew, who rip the mic apart with vicious battle rhymes. Now, like usual. Kurupt shines here with a spectacular verse, followed by the rest of the L.B.C crew who spit some nice stuff, but no none come close to Kurupts show stealer. So, overall Blueberry is an excellent track that just misses out on a 5 rating due to the no show of Snoop. Which to be honest with you would have been the icing on the cake. Defiantly a track worth checking out if you’re a fan of tha dogg pound or Kurupt

18. Traffic Jam (SKIT)

Short, and pretty weak skit featuring DJ Eazy d*ck. Leads into…

19. Doggyland (1/5)

Oh, DJ POOH! After producing possibly one of Snoops all time great tracks, you go back, listen to Snoop bounce, and decide to create a track in its mold! WHY?

As you can probably tell already. I don’t like Doggyland. Its production is extremely irritating, and Snoops lyrics are extremely simplistic. Talking about suffering and death, which when done good, can be extremely dope and insightful. But when its done bad, well, lets just say its sounds terrible and leave it at that that. Skip.

20. Downtown Assassins (3/5)

Ending an album on a high note is a very hard thing to do. Many have succeeded. Many have failed. And many have left an album on an average, yet not bad note. And this, my friends, is the category Downtown Assassins falls into. Produced by Dat n*gga Daz, Downtown Assassins immediately has a very gangster influenced feel to it. Using a nice beat, eerie xylophone loop, and a slow, electronic baseline, Daz has created a nicely put together track here, but I can’t help but feel a nice piano sample would have gone down better with the mafia feel, rather then the off-putting electronic baseline. But, Daz obviously disagreed.

Daz and Tray deee also join Snoop here, spitting some nice mafioso lyrics, but like the production, it just feels as if its missing a key element. Planting this firmly in the average category.

21. Outro (SKIT)

Short, and pointless outro in which Snoop and Tupac (who was killed just before Tha Doggfathers release. R.I.P) repeat the chorus of 2 of Amerikaz most wanted. Feels like a shameless cash in on Tupacs death.

THE CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, I am going to award Tha Doggfather, despite its failings a 4/5 rating. With some classic tracks, and a couple of bangers. Tha Doggfather is one of those albums that when its good it’s good, and when its bad. Well it stinks…

So, (if you don’t own it already) I would recommend picking up tha doggfather, and I must admit, it has been unfairly slept on. Just don’t go buying it expecting Snoops best work, cause if you’re looking for Snoop at his best theirs only two albums worth picking up. And they are, The Chronic and Doggystyle. But you should, if you consider yourself a hip hop head, own those already…



Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving