| Product: |
Doggy Style - Snoop Dogg |
| Date: |
02/10/08 (158 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Dre Production, Snoops flow
Disadvantages: None
Doggystyle is the debut album release in 1993 by west coast rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg on Death Row Records, produced all the way through by the legendary Dr Dre. Dre's production was praised by critics all round, marking (along with 'The Chronic') a shift in heavy gangster beats from the west coast to a much more funky and soulful sound, borrowing heavily from samples from old blues, jazz and soul songs, to create his own brand of music - G-Funk. Its a style of music that has been replicated by many artists since but no-one can do it like Dre and Snoop.
Snoop had previously featured heavily on Dr Dre's own debut solo album (not to mention on the track 'Deep Cover'), The Chronic, which led to much anticipation for his own release. If NWA and Dre had previously pushed gangster rap lyrics filled with profanity, crime, violence, casual sex, and smoking weed into the main stream then Snoop grabbed it and shoved it in everyone's faces. He was both praised and criticised for the content with many people (C. DeLores Tucker in particular) questioning the fact he would now be seen as a role model and if they wanted such a man in this position. Snoop hit back claiming he rapped about things that he had experienced in his own life growing up in Compton and Long Beach, California, and that he couldn't rap about going to College and getting a degree because it's not something he ever had the chance to do himself. Many other critics praised Snoop realism in his music and his unmistakable voice, labelling the album a hip-hop classic.
During the making of the album Snoop and his body guard McKinley Lee were involved in an incident in which a rival gang member, Phillip Woldermarian, was shot and killed. According to the case Lee shot Woldermarian in self defence because he was stalking Snoop, while Snoop was driving the car at the time. After a lengthy court case both were cleared of all charges. Snoop would rap about these problems on the '2 of Americaz Most Wanted' track on 2pac's 'All Eyez on Me' album.
Once the album was released it sold 802,858 copies in its first week making it the first ever album to go straight in at the top of the American album charts at #1 sparking much controversy about the merits and censorship of Gangster Rap. It's now sold over 7m units world wide, making it 4 times platinum and one of the biggest selling rap albums ever.
The album name relates to the sexual position (although you probably guessed that) mixed with Snoop's name, while the cover artwork is basically portraying the gangster rap lifestyle in a cartoon drawing where everyone is dogs instead of humans. It would also feature several George Clinton lines on the artwork, which was drawn by Joe Cool.
The Album
(Sample information taken from Wikipedia)
Track 1 - Bathtub (Intro)
A quick intro basically with Snoop in the bath with a women then his friends turn up. Nothing special but a good sample.
Sample
Curtis Mayfield - "Give Me Your Love"
Track 2 - G Funk Intro feat The Lady of Rage, Dr Dre and George Clinton
A fantastic Dre beat on this one, a sound that would become a trademark of his. Featuring mainly the Lady of Rage rapping with Snoop this track is a great start to the album, love the use of George Clinton talking over the end of the track, he's a legend.
Sample
Funkadelic - "(Not Just) Knee Deep"
Choice lines
I'm sippin on Tanqueray
with my my mind on my money and my mouth in the ganjahy
R-A-G to the motherf*ckin E
Back with my nigga S-N double O-P
[Dre] Yeah, and ya don't stop
Rage in effect I just begun to rock
[Dre] I said yeah, and you don't quit
[Snoop] Hey yo Rage would you please drop some gangsta sh*t
8/10
Track 3 - Gin and Juice feat Daz Dillinger
One of the more famous tracks on the album, Gin and Juice has been played on music TV and radio more times than I think anyone would care to count since it's release. The track was the second single from the album and hit #8 on the American singles charts. Snoops raps are smooth and melodic, while the beats remind me of 'Nothing but a G Thang' from Dre's 'The Chroinc' album. A top track.
Samples
Slave - "Watchin' You"
George McCrae - "I Get Lifted"
Choice lines
Everything is fine when you listenin to the D-O-G
I got the cultivating music that be captivating he
who listens, to the words that I speak
As I take me a drink to the middle of the street
and get to mackin to this b*tch named Sadie (Sadie?)
She used to be the homeboy's lady (Oh, that bitch)
Eighty degrees, when I tell that b*tch please
Raise up off these N-U-T's, cause you gets none of these
At ease, as I mob with the Dogg Pound, feel the breeze
beeeitch, I'm just
9/10
Track 4 - Tha Shiznit
A laid back track with a great base line, the beats are top notch on here, while Snoops raps sound effortless and smooth (as usual). It's a good track and well worth the listen, not a track to skip but there is better on here.
7/10
Track 5 - Lodi Dodi
The most laid back track on here, one to kick back and relax to. Snoop tells us a story basically of him getting up and going out looking for women, the lyrics are a bit mad and include Snoop talking to someone in his mirror and a mother and daughter fighting over him.
Samples
Kyu Sakamoto - "Sukiyaki"
Rose Royce - "Ooh Boy"
8/10
Track 6 - Murder Was the Case.
The track starts with some gangsters driving by on Snoop and shooting him, while the lyrics in the song are all about Snoop the shooting and Snoop going to the emergency room where he makes a deal with the devil to save him in exchange for his soul, which quickly lead Snoop to a stretch in jail. Great story telling here, while the beats are heavy and dark while still being quite funky, some great use of different sound effects on here. One of my favourite's on the album.
Choice lines
I'm fresh up out my coma
I got my momma and my daddy and my homies in my corner
It's gonna take a miracle they say
For me to walk again and talk again but anyway
I get, fronted some keys, to get, back on my feet
And everything that nigga said, came to reality
Livin like a baller loc
Havin money, and blowin hella chronic smoke
I bought my momma a Benz, and bought my Boo-Boo a Jag
And now I'm rollin in a nine-trizzay El Do-Rad
"Just remember who changed your mind
Cuz when you start set-trippin, that ass mine"
Indeed, agreed proceed to smoke weed
Never have a want, never have a need
They say I'm greedy but I still want mo'
Cuz my eyes wanna journey some more, really doe (check it out)
10/10
Track 7 - Serial Killa feat Tha Dogg Pound, RBX, and The D.O.C.
A track filled with up and coming rappers (at the time) which would become a trademark of Death Row Records in the early 90's. More bouncy, fast paced beats in here with great rapping from all involved, love RBX's crazy voice.
Sample
Ohio Players - "Funky Worm"
8/10
Track 8 - Who Am I (What's My Name)?
The first single from the album and a great track. Bouncy, funky, catchy, great lyrics, this ticks all the boxes for anyone wanting a west coast g-funk gangster rap track, it's easy top see why this was the first single. The chorus involves a group of women singing Snoops name over and over, something Snoop would repeat on countless tracks in the future, there truly is no other person in rap who likes hearing his names as much as Snoop! Great use of all the samples as well.
Samples
Parliament - "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)"
Funkadelic - "(Not Just) Knee Deep"
George Clinton - "Atomic Dog"
Tom Browne - "Funkin' 4 Jamaica"
9/10
Track 9 - For All My Niggaz and Bitches feat the Lady of Rage and Tha Dogg Pound
A good track with nice beats and nice guest appearances, but theres not too much that makes this one stand out from the rest of the album. Still a great track.
8/10
Track 10 - Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None) feat Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Warren G
The closest you'll get to a love song at this point in Snoops career. Snoop collaborates with cousin Warren G and close friend Nate Dogg who before this album release were in a local group called 213 (the local area code), a group the 3 would reform years later to release an album. If your offended by typical gangster rap opinions about women then this isn't for you, if like me you don't get offended by much then kick back and relax to this one and enjoy west coast rap at its best with a fantastically sang chorus by Nate Dogg (its what he's best at).
Sample
Lyn Collins - "Think (About It)"
9/10
Track 11 - Doggy Dogg World feat Tha Dogg Pound and The Dramatics
A contender with 'Lodi Dodi' for the most laid back track on here, Doggy Dogg World is a song I've loved since first listen, a track seems as good now as it did on release and wipes the floor with most of the rappers of today. The Dramatics play some great music on here and sing the chorus with such a soulful sound you'd struggle to find another rap song to compare with it (maybe 'Love Iz' by Eric sermon and Al Green). Snoop is at his smoothest on here just to top it all off, a track I recommend to anyone, not just rap fans.
Samples
Richard Field - "If it Ain't One Thing, It's Another"
Choice lines
Ya know, some of these niggaz is so deceptive
Usin my styles like a contraceptive
I hope ya get burnt, it seems ya havn't learnt
It's the nick nack patty wack, I still got the biggest sack
10/10
Track 12 - Gz and Hustlas
The track starts with the infamous 'what do you want to be when you grow up' skit, then kicks in to a funky West Coast gangster rap beat mixed with some splashes of a music box. The beats are top notch on here and perhaps Dre's best work on the whole album. Love the lyrics even if it's just Snoop rapping about how good he and his crew are. This is my mobile phone ringtone I love it so much.
Sample
Bernard Wright - "Habogablotribin"
Choice lines
Freeze, at ease, now let me drop some more of them keys
It's 19-9-tre so let me just play
it's Snoop Dogg, I'm on the mic, I'm back with Dr. Dre
But this time I'ma hit yo' ass with a touch
To leave motherf*ckers in a daze, f*cked up
So sit back relax new jacks get smacked
It's Snoop Doggy Dogg I'm at the top of the stack
I don't lack for a second, and I'm still checkin
The dopest motherf*cker that ya hearin on the record
it's me, ya see, S-N-double-O-P
D-O-double-G-Y, the D-O-double-G
I'm fly as a falcon, soarin through the sky
And I'm high till I dizzie, rizzide
10/10
Track 13 - Pump Pump feat Mr Malik
Probably the fastest paced track on the album to finish us off. The music reminds me of both Dre's 'Natural Born Killer' and 'Deep Cover' tracks (2 amazing songs), with the bounce in the music mixed with the threat in Snoops voice combining perfectly. Couldn't have finished the album with a better track.
10/10
Overall a 10/0 for this album from me, every track is worth listening to with no filler in here at all. Snoop became the victim of the perfect first album with this one (something many rappers would suffer from such as Nas) and throughout his career would struggle to live up to Doggystyle. In my opinion if you have this CD there is no real need to own any other Snoop albums until him and Dre work together again for a full LP. Recommended to everyone who likes funky music and rap.
Further Reading
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doggystyle
www.snoopdogg.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sn oop_Dogg
Buy the album for £5.47 -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doggystyle-Snoop-Dogg/dp
/B000NTPEAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qi d=1222946410&sr=1-1
Listen for free -
http://www.last.fm/music/Snoop+Dogg/Doggystyle
Summary: One of the defining albums in raps history
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oxonian - 31/10/08 The greatest rap album I've ever had. First listened to this in 94 and still love it. |
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