MOG — Exposed to the Game

MOG is the acronym for Murder One Gangster(s), a gangsta rap group that comes straight out of East Palo Alto, California. MOG are led by Sean T and made up of Top Dog, Kaos, Re-Akt, and Papoose (not that Papoose).

It opens "Act Nutty", simple and lean rhythm, with lean slow syncopated drum machine and tense strings in background with g-funk elements, slow syncopated smooth delivery, jazzy bridge on the uninterpreted chorus. Then follows "PA Thang", similar joint, with gangsta lyricism on a light and minimal jazzy rhythm, simple, slow syncopated skinny drum and strings in the background, rhythm let to breathe, then slow syncopated delivery.

The third choice has a simple jazzy rhythm, usual drum machine, here light, happy syncopated slow delivery, functional hook; dark bridge in the second half of the track. "As a Youngsta" has a beautiful soulful jazzy rhythm with dope strings, light drum and sax samples, good delivery of the group, especially by Sean T continues to go strong throughout the tape. "Homicidal Tendecies" is perhaps the highlight of the whole first part of this album: light jazzy production, simple boom bap with lean syncopated drum machine and slow syncopated light delivery, but the production is spectacular.

"Takin' No Sh**" has a jazzy-funky rhythm, similar to that of the next track, which features a functional hook with bridge that pays homage to a classic reused often in g-funk, "Funky Worm" by the Ohio Players. The record turns to police brutality in the eighth piece, but is not supported by the simple jazzy funky rhythm, despite a sample by Parliament and a quite smooth delivery. The next two tracks have good jazzy-funky simple rhythm and well-delivered simple lyrics, close a beautiful jazzy rhythm, light boom bap with dope strings in the background, beat let to breathe, then slow-flowing syncopated delivery, great cut.

Curious hidden gem of gangsta rap from the Bay Area, with interesting production and generic but better than usual g lyrics, the guys here are having fun and providing good vibes.

Rating: 7/10.