The first family of Gangsta Rap (Death Row's Greatest Hits Vol.1)

Member Name: sala4uk

Product:	Death Row's Greatest Hits Vol.1
Date:	20/09/09 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: classic tracks from 3 of raps greatest at their best

Disadvantages: a lot of filler material on CD 2

Back in the early 90's Death Row Records was the all conquering rapping family. Founded by Marion 'Suge' Knight and former N.W.A. member Dr Dre, the label boasted arguably the 3 most powerful rappers of that period - Snoop Doggy Dogg, Tupac Shakur and Dr Dre. Death Row Records released the albums The Chronic, Doggy Style and All Eyez on Me which went on to break all records for rap albums at their time of release.

Cashing in on the success of their 3 most bankable stars (although by the time of release Dre and Snoop had left Death Row and 2pac had died) Death Row released a Greatest Hits album, 23 of the 33 tracks featured the trio.

CD1 features 17 tracks with the most notable being Nuthin' But a "G" Thang featuring Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg taken from the album The Chronic. The song personifies Dre's G-Funk style whilst maintaining his gangster lyrics.

Gin & Juice, Who Am I (What's My Name)? and Doggy Dogg World are all taken from Snoop's debut album Doggy Style. An extension of Dre's G-Funk style mixed with Snoop's distinct laid back style.

2pac appears on 3 tracks, all of which are taken from his time prior to his signing for Death Row, Keep Ya Head Up, Dear Mama and Me Against the World. These songs were all released before Pac evolved in to an all out Gangsta thug, depicting a more reflective, sensitive side to his character.

Ice Cube and Dr Dre collaborate on the track Natural Born Killaz taken from the soundtrack for the film Natural Born Killers. This is one hard hitting track with a thumping bass line and lyrics that unashamedly promote violence and destruction.

The most controversial track on CD1 comes from Ice Cube titled No Vaseline. A track written by Ice Cube after he left the N.W.A. group after a fall out with Dre. The track is a no holds barred attack on Dre and former N.W.A. member Eazy E.

While CD1 packed a punch delivering all the hits, CD 2 featured many filler tracks and was much weaker in comparison. This CD features 6 remixes of tracks from CD1 of songs taken from The Chronic and Doggy Style. The remixes see Dre's G-Funk style replaced with standard rap beats.

Tracks from Scarface, Jodeci, Danny Boy, Daz and Tha Dogg Pound don't hit the mark whilst tracks Pour Out a Little Liquor and Daydreaming are catch but cannot be glassed as greatest hits.

The standout track on CD 2 is Hit Em Up, the pounding gangsta anthem where 2pac and the Outlawz wage war against the East Coast. The anger in Pac's voice is very apparent as he spits his lyrics with venom calling all his enemies to task.

Death Row's Greatest Hits is a good starting point if you want to learn more about the Gangsta rap genre, CD1 boasts a number of classic tracks that will get you hooked. Tupac's contribution is a little disappointing with no tracks from his 9x Platinum album All Eyez on Me and CD2 contains mostly filler tracks.

Summary: A good collection of classic tracks