NAME:
DOGG POUND
ABOUT
In the rich pantheon of West Coast Hip-Hop, few groups have endured like Tha Dogg Pound. The inimitable duo of Daz Dillinger and Kurupt (aka Young Gotti) have consistently triumphed over adversity to deliver some of the culture's most beloved music. Now, almost thirty years after their classic debut Dogg Food, the group has come full circle by reuniting with the legendary record label and the Hip-Hop icon that introduced them to the world. Latest album We All We Got (W.A.W.G) finds Daz and Kurupt back on Death Row Records and realigned with mentor and co-conspirator, Bigg Snoop Dogg. A homecoming that legions of fans have clamored for, it marks the first time Snoop has shepherded a Dogg Pound release since 2006's anthemic Cali Iz Active.
The defiant tone is immediately established on lead single "Smoke Up," which sees the trio squash any lingering rumors of a break-up over Rick Rock's squelchy bass. "See, everything they talkin' about been fabricated," snaps Daz. "We do this shit for life, muthafucka, so stop hating!" Snoop is similarly charged, dismissing gossipers with a snarled "shut your bitch ass up." Rounding out the track, an energized Kurupt crowns the collective "invincible." The track provides ample evidence to support this lofty claim, with the three MC's showcasing the effortless interplay that has defined so many essential West Coast tracks.
Daz and Kurupt continue to flaunt their O.G. status on "I'mma Dogg," which recalls the vintage Death Row output of the early nineties with its stark drums and whistling synths. Young Gotti pounces on the nostalgic instrumental, swiftly announcing: "You a hater, I'm a congratulator / I could dig up bodies like an excavator." He goes on to remind listeners that the group's mission remains the same as it always was: "DPG just bangin', bussin', rollin', dippin', smashin'!" Daz is also in prime form as he warns foes, "I come down, smashin' fools on-site / I catch you slippin', sippin' under the street lights." The threat punctuated by a barrage of gunfire, "I'mma Dogg" recalls the confrontational pair who seized the spotlight on Dr. Dre's seminal The Chronic.
Snoop returns to pledge his allegiance on "Favorite Color Blue," with each MC honoring their set over the track's hypnotic production. After proudly declaring "Crippin's where it's at," Kurupt summarizes the bond with his fellow DPG's by stating "Snoop's my big cousin, Daz is my brother." The latter quickly enters the fray, playing to the title of the track by rapping: "Hundred blue notes in a blue Chevy rollin' / Light blue Carolina, light blue Nike's." While the Death Row Records logo may permanently be associated with the color red, Daz has other ideas when he boasts that his Death Row jacket's "blue suede." The line's indicative of a track that puts a sly twist on one of the crew's favorite subjects, bolstered by Rick Rock's atmospheric sonics.
While family ties are a recurring theme on the album, they're best exemplified on the rousing title track. "We All We Got" melds two decorated groups in Tha Dogg Pound and Tha Eastsidaz, with Snoop loudly proclaiming that he "got the gang back together, mayne." The longtime comrades exchange vicious bars over Jelly Roll's crisp drums and twinkling keys. Daz offers a boisterous roll call as he rattles off "Goldie Loc, Snoop Dogg, Daz, Tray Deee, Kurupt / It's family business, muthafucka, yeah, we fuckin' it up!" Meanwhile, Big Tray Deee offers a stirring mission statement when he raps that the crew "got it on smash, we making straight classics / If it ain't bangin', we ain't rappin'!"
While W.A.W.G is a tight-knit affair, the featured guests are all too happy to join Tha Dogg Pound's gangsta party. Blxst adds his velvety croon to the silky-smooth "Need Some Space," while Da Baby channels his inner Angeleno on "After Hours." Sounding perfectly at home over the track's laconic funk, the Southern chart-topper insists he told Snoop "give me some West Coast shit," before adding, "Thug Life, I'm on that Death Row shit!" Ultimately, however, W.A.W.G is anchored by our distinguished hosts. The album serves as not only a testament to Daz and Kurupt's eternal chemistry, but to the stunning potential that a new era of Death Row holds. Tha Dogg Pound may only have each other, but on this evidence that's all they'll ever need.
ExpandThe defiant tone is immediately established on lead single "Smoke Up," which sees the trio squash any lingering rumors of a break-up over Rick Rock's squelchy bass. "See, everything they talkin' about been fabricated," snaps Daz. "We do this shit for life, muthafucka, so stop hating!" Snoop is similarly charged, dismissing gossipers with a snarled "shut your bitch ass up." Rounding out the track, an energized Kurupt crowns the collective "invincible." The track provides ample evidence to support this lofty claim, with the three MC's showcasing the effortless interplay that has defined so many essential West Coast tracks.
Daz and Kurupt continue to flaunt their O.G. status on "I'mma Dogg," which recalls the vintage Death Row output of the early nineties with its stark drums and whistling synths. Young Gotti pounces on the nostalgic instrumental, swiftly announcing: "You a hater, I'm a congratulator / I could dig up bodies like an excavator." He goes on to remind listeners that the group's mission remains the same as it always was: "DPG just bangin', bussin', rollin', dippin', smashin'!" Daz is also in prime form as he warns foes, "I come down, smashin' fools on-site / I catch you slippin', sippin' under the street lights." The threat punctuated by a barrage of gunfire, "I'mma Dogg" recalls the confrontational pair who seized the spotlight on Dr. Dre's seminal The Chronic.
Snoop returns to pledge his allegiance on "Favorite Color Blue," with each MC honoring their set over the track's hypnotic production. After proudly declaring "Crippin's where it's at," Kurupt summarizes the bond with his fellow DPG's by stating "Snoop's my big cousin, Daz is my brother." The latter quickly enters the fray, playing to the title of the track by rapping: "Hundred blue notes in a blue Chevy rollin' / Light blue Carolina, light blue Nike's." While the Death Row Records logo may permanently be associated with the color red, Daz has other ideas when he boasts that his Death Row jacket's "blue suede." The line's indicative of a track that puts a sly twist on one of the crew's favorite subjects, bolstered by Rick Rock's atmospheric sonics.
While family ties are a recurring theme on the album, they're best exemplified on the rousing title track. "We All We Got" melds two decorated groups in Tha Dogg Pound and Tha Eastsidaz, with Snoop loudly proclaiming that he "got the gang back together, mayne." The longtime comrades exchange vicious bars over Jelly Roll's crisp drums and twinkling keys. Daz offers a boisterous roll call as he rattles off "Goldie Loc, Snoop Dogg, Daz, Tray Deee, Kurupt / It's family business, muthafucka, yeah, we fuckin' it up!" Meanwhile, Big Tray Deee offers a stirring mission statement when he raps that the crew "got it on smash, we making straight classics / If it ain't bangin', we ain't rappin'!"
While W.A.W.G is a tight-knit affair, the featured guests are all too happy to join Tha Dogg Pound's gangsta party. Blxst adds his velvety croon to the silky-smooth "Need Some Space," while Da Baby channels his inner Angeleno on "After Hours." Sounding perfectly at home over the track's laconic funk, the Southern chart-topper insists he told Snoop "give me some West Coast shit," before adding, "Thug Life, I'm on that Death Row shit!" Ultimately, however, W.A.W.G is anchored by our distinguished hosts. The album serves as not only a testament to Daz and Kurupt's eternal chemistry, but to the stunning potential that a new era of Death Row holds. Tha Dogg Pound may only have each other, but on this evidence that's all they'll ever need.