REVISITING REVIEW '25
As I revisit Snoop’s discography, I realise I was far too harsh on this album the first time around. Maybe the lengthy runtime put me off, and I didn’t give it the extra spin that longer albums often need. Sure, there are some filler tracks you'd expect from a No Limit release pushing the capacity of a CD, but as I even noted in my original review, the quality never dips too far, and there are definitely strong moments. Having Beats by the Pound on production, along with DJ Pooh and others, gives the album a more varied sound which is something a lot of No Limit albums lack. That sonic diversity helps it stand out. The hooks are overall quite solid that help some of the weaker moments not become poor songs. I feel like I'm splitting hairs as I try to rank Snoop's albums, but I think this is slightly better than his previous album, Tha Doggfather. There is a bit more life, fewer weak moments and greater highs.
Beats: ★★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★
Hooks: ★★★☆
Best Tracks: Woof!, Tru Tank Dogs, Whatcha Gon Do?, Still a G Thang, Ain't Nut'in Personal, DP Gangsta, Doggz Gonna Get Ya
1. Snoop World
A fun track overall, but damn, Master P's final verse really drags it down. His over-the-top, grating delivery does the song no favours which is something that holds true every time he shows up here.
2. Slow Down
This is basically bars over 'Slow Down' by Loose Ends. The song is also known as 'I Can't Take the Heat' and sees Mia and Snoop encouraging listeners to stay in control and not do what you'll pay to regret. Mia X performs well.
3. Woof!
In contrast, this beat is more of what you'd expect from Snoop's move to No Limit. It's a hype anthem that is the kind of song you'd want to commit a crime to. You get three very different performances too from Fiend, Mystikal and then Snoop that add to the variety.
4. Gin & Juice II
Borrows lines from the original - "Rollin down the street, with heat/Drankin, trees, sittin on D's/Top rolled back so I can feel the breeze/Never slippin', I keep my eyes on my enemies." This one has a darker feel than the classic and doesn't quite do enough in the production.
5. Show Me Love
Charlie Wilson contributes an enjoyable hook. A little like the last song, it's too slow and not eventful enough on the verses to reach the next level but isn't bad.
6. Hustle & Ball
More welcome energy here from O’Dell from Beats by the Pound on the production.
7. Don't Let Go
Snoop switches up his flow here, opting for a more conversational delivery. It’s another solid track, which a catchy hook and all, but nothing particularly groundbreaking.
8. Tru Tank Doggs
I'm not sure why people don't like this. Mystikal was so damn good who kicks of the song with his iconic energy. It's fair to say that Snoop doesn't match his energy from there. I would have loved a Mystikal solo with this beat and hook.
9. Whatcha Gon Do
A funky/gangsta beat drives this. I have always found Master P's "Ugh"s annoying but this is him at his most palatable for the album only appearing on the hook.
10. Still a G Thang
Sequel to 'Nuthin but a G Thang'. One of the strongest songs and the strongest without Mystikal. Snoop is entertaining the way he changes up his flow and rhymes throughout the verses.
11. 20 Dollars to My Name
This is one of the weaker songs. It's not terrible, but there is nothing that interesting about it. Standard beat. Standard topic. Standard spitting.
12. D.O.G.'s Get Lonely 2
Snoop talks over Jon B's great 'They Don't Know' like he is in Boyz 2 Men. A good sung R&B hook.
13. Ain't Nut'in Personal
After 'Woof!', Craig B is back with another banger with the classic Beats by the Pound sound.
14. DP Gangsta
Also known as 'Gangsta Gangsta' it samples N.W.A's song of the same name and is a remake of sorts.
15. Game of Life
Like '20 Dollars to My Name', it's not terrible, but it drags on a touch. The hook standing out more musically from the verses would've helped this one.
16. See Ya When I Get There
Another decent hook here too, something that this album does pretty well.
17. Pay for Pussy
Interlude. Snoop Dogg produced this and it has some nice production touches. It's shame more isn't made of it than Big Pimpin’ Delemond talking.
18. Picture This
While not the bangers of earlier, Craig B provides another funky beat that'll get you bouncing. It's a short song and unfortunately lacks a memorable hook.
19. Doggz Gonna Get Ya
Snoop tells some stories over a simple, yet effect beat. It samples 'Atomic Dog' by George Clinton but not as obviously as many before. The beat is much more infections that you'd expect after you first listen to it.
20. Hoes, Money & Clout
Soopafly gives Snoop a decent beat here, but at this point in the album, something else is needed. Nothing special here. "From basketball to alcohol, everybody love the Dogg/I'm sure Billy Clinton probably got a Doggystyle tape/Somewhere hidden in his briefcase."
21. Get Bout It & Rowdy
Master P is annoying again here. It's like he was trying extra hard and it oversteps the mark. "UGHHHHHHHHHH!" When Snoop is just rapping on the verses it's okay, but Master P ruins the song.
-----------
ORIGINAL REVIEW
If Snoop didn't drop far enough from 'Doggystyle' to 'Tha Doggfather', he took another step down with this album. The move to the south with No Limit is of course very interesting and it makes for an album of west coast beats with some southern influence, and vice versa. At times Snoop sounds great on this, other times he sounds unpolished, overall though, it's fairly boring, and I probably wouldn't even rank the best songs here near Snoops top 20-25 tracks. And in saying that, most of the best feature Mystikal because he adds some more energy to the tracks, and the same thing applies to 'Ain't Nut'in Personal' as well with its features.
The opener, 'Snoop World', feels like a track you'd put somewhere in the middle of the album, not as a song to kick an album off. The following 'Slow Down' isn't much better. He tried to build on a success with 'Gin & Juice II' , but it doesn't work too well. Charlie Wilson tried on the hook of 'Show Me Love', but it's another lackluster song with non-eventful production. Snoop sounds bored too.
On the whole, there is nothing terrible but most tracks lack that something extra.
Comments