"Did you know that if you took two steps that way and then turn left, you can get the fuck out my face?"
Snoop is back not long after his recent collaboration with Dr. Dre. While some listeners have criticised the number of tracks, the album itself isn't overly long—clocking in at just under an hour, so run-time isn't an issue. It kicks off strong with the title track, where Snoop drops wisdom over a dark and soulful thumping beat. Though there are a few laid-back, vibey moments scattered throughout, the album shines more so when the energy ramps up and the bangers hit.
Unfortunately, the slower tracks like 'Can’t Get Enough' don’t quite land. On the flip side, the closing track stands out as one of the album’s strongest moments, sampling K-Ci & JoJo’s 'Life', which was written and produced by R. Kelly.
Some guest appearances don’t do the tracks any favours. LaRussell’s verse on 'Can’t Wait' detracts from an otherwise standout track that cleverly samples Five Star’s 'Can’t Wait Another Minute'. Akeem Ali also makes an appearance, but his voice sounds like bad Lil Wayne when he raps.
Other tracks, like 'What’s Hattnin?', feel undercooked in content and could’ve been left on the cutting room floor—and the same could be said for several others. The album starts strong, but loses momentum midway, struggling to maintain the same impact. It didn’t need to be this many tracks. And I can't believe many think 'Me N OG Snoop' with Sexyy Red is the best song. That says a lot.
Still, for what is Snoop’s 21st album, this is a solid, fairly consistent listen with a few tracks to save for later. There is more here that instantly caught my attention than on 'Missionary'. He is rapping extremely well, has his charisma and isn't just writing track after track of gangsta rap. There are plenty of head-nodding moments and quotable lines—some of which are due to Snoop reusing some famous bars.
Beats: ★★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆
Hooks: ★★★☆
Best Tracks: Iz It a Crime?, Joy, Sophisticated Crippin’, West Up, Live Life
1. Intro
2. Iz It a Crime? 90
3. Joy 81
4. Unsung Heroes 74
5. Sophisticated Crippin’ 84
6. Can't Wait 72
7. Can’t Get Enough 40
8. Keep It Moving 70
9. Just the Way It Iz 64
10. You Want My All 60
11. What’s Hattnin? 54
12. Spot 60
13. ShutYoBitchAssUp 70
14. Cold Summer 54
15. Snoop Will Make You Dance 60
16. Life’s Journey 70
17. Me N OG Snoop 50
18. Let Me Love You 64
19. West Up 90
20. My Friend 62
21. Live Life 86
One of the more lackluster Statham action flicks. The action scenes are quite short and apart from some gore, aren't noteworthy. It's pretty predictable and ends in a way that exists to either set up a sequel or in a lazy fashion.
This lacks energy and the crescendos of the best mob films. As do the efforts to bring more tension to the movie that seems more forced. The story itself kept me into it for two hours as I think it would for those who are into the genre.
In a world of copy-cats, WC has always had his own style. Here he comes with his first solo after previously being in three groups, (Low Profile, WC and the Maad Circle and Westside Connection). From the jump, the production is bouncy and Dub-C wrote some catchy bars with memorable moments such as the "Dis the season to be jankin'" on the hook of the title track where he partners with CJ Mac, who dropped one of the most underappreciated hip hop albums of all time with True Game in '95. Then 'Can't Hold Back' samples 'Ain't No Half-Steppin'' by Big Daddy Kane that is instantly recognisable. It ends strongly with the hardest song on the album, 'It's All Bad', followed by the most chill with 'Better Days' that grew on me with each listen and is my pick from the disc. There is no amazing song here, but the consistency is its strength being more than solid from front to back.
Beats: ★★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★★
Hooks: ★★★☆
Best Tracks: The Shadiest One, Can't Hold Back, Keep Hustlin', Like That, It's All Bad, Better Days
1 Hog 64
2 Where Y'All From (Skit)
3 Fuckin' Wit Uh House Party 70
4 The Shadiest One 71
5 Can't Hold Back 75
6 Keep Hustlin' 75
7 Just Clownin' 70
8 The Autobiography 65
9 Worldwide Gunnin' 60
10 Like That 75
11 Call It What You Want 54
12 Rich Rollin' 68
13 Cheddar 62
14 Bank Lick
15 It's All Bad 80
16 Better Days 82
17 The Outcome
This begins well with two of WC's best songs, 'Bellin' and the Scott Storch produced 'The Streets'. The next Scarface collaboration, 'So Hard', is a bit slow for me and a let down given how much I like Scarface. 'Flirt' brings WC's lustful side to the album and it works fairly well with Case's background vocals and enjoyable instrumentation. 'Walk' sees Mack 10 and Cube combine with WC for a Westside Connection reunion. All in all the album never matches the opening and in comparison to his debut, the highs are better with the tracks mentioned below, but the consistency including the engaging songwriting is a slight level below.
Beats: ★★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆
Hooks: ★★★
Best Tracks: Bellin, The Streets
1 Highlight Reel (Intro)
2 Bellin 90
3 The Streets (Re-Twist) 93
4 Fake N***gas (Skit)
5 So Hard 60
6 Flirt 70
7 187 Um Burgers (Skit)
8 Walk 75
9 Tears of a Killa 64
10 Da Get Together 75
11 Throw Ya Hood Up 70
12 Wanna Ride 72
13 Bang Loose 65
14 Get Out 60
15 Let's Make a Deal 40
16 Something 2 Live 4 65