In 1997, after leaving Death Row, Snoop Dogg forms his group from Long Beach, Tha Eastsidaz, along with citizens KXNG Crooked & Lil' C-Style, but the trio disbanded. Two years later, he forms the group again, together with fellow other citizens, Big Tray Deee and Goldie Loc, all members of the Crips, as can be guessed from the cover. As a rapper, these guys might be labeled under the definition of "weed carriers": they're your generic MCs, not too bad not too good, average. With low-level lyrics and flows, completely obscured by the main rapper and by an avalanche of guests who practically never allow them to emerge: Tha Eastsidaz has only one solo cut out of twenty-two songs and is the song of the same name. Snoop performs without the other two guys in "Balls of Steel", "How You Livin'", "Take It Back to '85" and "Life Goes On", while in "Tha G in Deee" there isn't Goldie Loc.
Production is handled by DJ Battlecat, Jelly Roll, Meech Wells, Warren G, L.T. Hutton and Keith Clizark. Guests are Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, Kokane, Xzibit, Kurupt, Twinz, Rappin' 4-tay, Jayo Felony, Sylk E. Fyne, Blaqthoven, Bad Azz, Butch Cassidy, Kam, CPO, Pinky and Suga Free. Lyrically, the project is kept at an elementary level, while the rhythms are contrasting: the choice of samples appears competent, nevertheless, the drums are all bad, they kill the beats and are often above the voices of the performers. It is as if, in the rush to release the disk, they forgot to do a proper mixing. The project will not convert casual listeners in new fans, never mind because is one of the most solid records in Snoop discography. Published by Dogghouse and distributed by TVT, it has a remarkable sales result, reaching the top ten on the Billboard 200 and the first place among independent releases, certified platinum by the RIAA. 6/10.
No comments:
Post a Comment