A fairly safe album, lyrically and vocally being an average west coast release, with Domino technically as a rapper being likewise. The G-Funk beats are good, but if you've heard plenty of the genre they won't excite you too much.
A good album from one of the most well-known rappers ever, but I don't think this should ever get spoken about with the best of the best in the genre. All the skits make this feel really sluggish, and while there are a handful that aren't too far away, I think 'Who Am I (What's My Name)?'] is the only absolutely brilliant song here. It's one of my favourite songs of all time so maybe it's just hard for the rest to live up to it... I can't deny some of these beats are brilliant though. Lots of fun but I don't go back to a lot of it often.
Best Tracks: Gin and Juice, Murder Was the Case, Serial Killa, Who Am I?, Ain't No Fun, Doggy Dogg World, Pump Pump
Snoop is back and unlike his previous couple of releases he is also back to filling his album to the brim, just 25 seconds shy of needing a second disc. To me, this album feels like a cross between some of his recent albums in 'Tha Blue Carpet Treatment', 'Rhythm & Gangsta' and even a bit of 'Ego Trippin'' with the more experimental 'Superman' that features Willie Nelson. There is some soul and jazz influence on some tunes that R&G had, and the harder more raw stuff sounds a bit like the stuff Snoop had on Blue Carpet Treatment. While there are some bad songs, there is less complete filler compared to what Snoop has created in the past. However, and while again there isn't anything really great, it does have some songs to go back to. Also, given its length, it does a fairly good job of maintaining my interest, compared to some of Snoop's previous albums such as 'Blue Carpet Treatment' that dies toward the end. Worth a listen if you have found something useful from Snoop in the past 5-6 years.
Best Tracks: Wonder What It Do, My Fuckin' House, I Don't Need No Bitch, Gangbang Rookie, Raised in da Hood
Bangin'! The opening songs are exactly that and begin the album off excellently. If you enjoy Tha Dogg Pound, I can't see you not enjoying the beginning of the album. 'I'll Bury Ya' is a particular favourite as is Game's verse on 'Anybodykilla'. 'Mo Murder' is a small drop off but not that much, and then you have the appropriately titled 'Vibe' which just features a great laid back west coast beat. Other tracks in this vein are 'Dat Ain't My Baby' and 'Itz a Good Azz Day'.
From 'Vibe' not as much stands out except for 'Throw Ya Hood Up', which is a nice anthem, but it is all an enjoyable listen and I really feel this is under-heard and underrated here. Content-wise, it's fair to say there isn't much new on offer, but that isn't why you check out a DPG or Daz album anyway. A good gangsta rap release for which the bonus tracks are even worth checking out.
Best Tracks: I'll Bury Ya, Everybody, Anybody Killa, Vibe, Throw Ya Hood Up.
Some good songs, with humorous lines as Redman has always written. The beats, largely handled by Erick Sermon and Redman himself, are good enough without jumping out at you too much. It's worth noting also that the beats are not as funk-influenced as much of Erick's previous beats. A solid album without being anything extraordinary, hence the 3/5. Redman fans should get something out of this.
Best Tracks: I'll Bee Dat!, Jersey Yo!, Keep on '99, Da Da DaHHH, D.O.G.S., Brick City Mashin'!, Soopaman Lova IV