Ego Trippin' by Snoop Dogg

2008-03-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

Snoop Dogg - Ego Trippin for 3.15$!

I was introduced to Snoop Dogg when most people were when I heard the track "Deep Cover", which was featured on the soundtrack of the same name. Dr. Dre was the main man on the boards for NWA's "Straight Outta Compton" and "Efil4zaggin", so you knew when he produced a track you were going to get what the Dr. ordered 100% of the time. Snoop was new to the scene but he definitely got my attention with his verse. There was also a "Deep Cover" remix entitled "One Eight Seven" that used the same beat but new verses were added to the remix.

Snoop Dogg got his big break when he was featured on "Nuthin' But A G Thang" that ended up being the 1st single on "The Chronic". If you didn't pay attention to Snoop after "Deep Cover" then you definitely knew who he was after "....G Thang". Snoop Dogg was the main rapper on the CD but Kurupt, Daz, RBX and The Lady Of Rage also joined in on this project that was heavily influenced by Parliament/Funkadelic. Snoop made his presence known on tracks such as "Dre Day", "Lil Geto Boy", "Stranded On Death Row" and "B_______ Ain't S____". I knew that Snoop's 1st solo CD would follow "The Chronic" and I was anxiously awaiting to see what the CD sound like. In 1993, Snoop released his 1st solo CD entitled Doggystyle. After hearing the 1st 2 singles "What's My Name" and "Gin & Juice", I knew that the rest of the CD wouldn't disappoint. After Rage rips the "G Funk Intro", Snoop and friends are able to take care of the rest on tracks like "Tha Shiznit", "Murder Was The Case", "Serial Killa", "Ain't No Fun" and "For All My....". This is easily Snoop's best solo effort. Before Snoop could release his 2nd CD, Dr. Dre left Death Row Records and that was a move that Snoop wasn't expecting. Also, Snoop's new Death Row comrade, 2 Pac was shot and killed. In 1996, Snoop released his 2nd solo CD entitled Tha Doggfather. While the CD was far from a coaster, after you were spoiled by "The Chronic" and "Doggystyle", the CD just didn't measure up to expectations.

After having a falling out with Marion "Suge" Knight, Snoop left Death Row Records to join Master P and the No Limit Soldiers at No Limit Records. Snoop would release 3 CDs on No Limit Records: 1998's Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told, 1999's No Limit Top Dogg and Tha Last Meal, which was released in the year 2000. The best moments came when Dr. Dre showed up to produce tracks like "B____ Please" and "Lay Low". However, I could stomach more of the No Limit tracks since I was into the No Limit sound of 1998-1999 for the most part. Snoop's 1st CD without No Limit was released in 2002 and was entitled Paid Tha Cost to Be Da Boss. His breakout hit from this CD was The Neptunes' produced "Beautiful". In 2004, Snoop added the Star Trak logo to R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece. The CD received a huge buzz from The Neptunes produced "Drop It Like It's Hot" and the 2nd single which blatantly jacked the original track from Slave's "Watching You" to become Snoop and Pharrell's "Let's Get Blown". In 2006, Snoop was back on his own with Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. The Neptunes still produced the 1st single "Vato", which featured B Real of Cypress Hill on the hook. The 2nd single "That's That" w/R Kelly also created a buzz for the CD as well. My 2 favorite tracks were "Imagine", which was produced by & featured a verse from Dr. Dre, and had D'Angelo on the hook and "Boss' Life" which featured Akon. "Imagine" was originally intended for Busta Rhymes but Snoop definitely took advantage of Busta not including the track on "The Big Bang". Snoop also released 3 group CDs inbetween his solo releases. Tha Eastsidaz, which was Snoop, Tray Dee and Goldie Loc released 2 discs: 2000's Snoop Dogg Presents Tha Eastsidaz and 2001's Duces n' Trays: The Old Fashioned Way. Snoop would also release a 213 CD entitled "The Hard Way" as well. 213 was Snoop, Warren G, who is Dr. Dre's brother and Nate Dogg. 213 was Snoop's original group that he was with before he became famous by doing tracks with Dr. Dre.

In 2008, Snoop Dogg is back with his 9th solo CD, "Ego Trippin'". After hearing "Sensual Seduction" or "Sexual Eruption", I didn't know what to expect from this CD. I am not sure what everyone's infatuation with T-Pain's vo-coder is but I tell you what Roger Troutman would be rolling over in his grave if he ever heard some of these tracks. Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" is even worse than "Sensual Seduction". When I heard that Teddy Riley would be producing the most tracks, I was also shocked about that. I mean there is a reason why Guy and Blackstreet aren't making CDs these days. They were great in their day but not in 2008. I still approached this CD with an open mind. "Press Play" samples one of my favorite slow jams of all time in The Isley Brothers' "Voyage To Atlantis" and Snoop does a good job with this 2nd intro on "Ego Trippin" as reviewer "Josephll" said. "Snoop Dogg Is Out" has Teddy Riley breaking out the infamous vo-coder once again. If you like Snoop party tracks this may be an Ok track to you but it just didn't work for me personally. Charlie Wilson also adds background vocals to the track as well. "Gangsta Like Me" is also produced by TR but I liked this track better because it will instantly have you out there doing the infamous 2 step with or without your drink. Some people may be turned off by the sexually explicit lyrics but I like this one better than "Snoop Dogg Is Out". "Never Have To Worry" works for me because it's a nice reflection to Snoop's 15+ years in the game. When you are making your 9th solo CD you have a right to make a track like this. Uncle Chucc, who sounds alot like Jo Jo from K-Ci & Jo Jo rips the hook and this is my favorite track on "Ego Trippin'". "Life Of The Party" features Mistah F.A.B. & Too Short and is good for just that, a party. I think I am going to rename Snoop's CD "Ego Trippin' At The Party". That's basically the theme of this CD. Too Short is pushing 50 probably but he's still the life of the party..lol Yeah right! Raphael & Snoop drop some official G Shhh.... on "Waste Of Time". Raphael provides the soulful production & hook as Snoop talks about a situation between him and a woman that has come to its expiration date. Morris Day, Jesse, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, "Jellybean" and Jerome should have hit Snoop in the head with the infamous mirror after he tried to remake their track "Cool". This track is ridiculous. This is what happens when remakes go wrong. "Sets Up" is another banger however as The Neptunes make their only contribution to "Ego Trippin'" a worthwile one. Snoop rides the beat like he would on one of his infamous Dr. Dre collaborations. "Deez Hollywood Nights" is a catchy track that will grow on you after awhile if you don't like it immediately. Snoop's lyrics aren't up to par but this track is still decent. "Staxx In My Jeans" uses a semi chopped and screwed hook as Snoop's pockets are like Re Runs and yours are like Raj's..lol The originality on that clearly is a F+. Snoop gets his grown and sexy on with "Been Around The World", a track that he dedicated to his baby boo. Snoop realizes that he has done alot of things in his life but in the end all that matters to him in 2008 is taking care of her, his family and friends. Once again the lyrics could have been better but the concept is a nice one. Teddy Riley returns with another track in "Let It Out". I guess this is the true definition of a gangsta party in the year 2008. I am still confused as to why he is the main producer on this project. They are clearly a mismatch made in heaven. Just when you think it can't get any worse, Snoop has gone country on "My Medicine". Snoop must have been on some "headbanger boogie" when he made this track. "The more dedicated, the more medicated, you feel me. No Snoop, I am definitely not feeling you on that one. "Ridin' In My Chevy" makes an attempt to get back to the G Funk that we are use to hearing Snoop on and will probably be in most people's Top 5 that like the "Doggystyle" Snoop better. Teddy Riley and DJ Quik co-produce "Those Gurlz" with Scoop Deville. When you hear the Alvin, Simon & Theodore chipmunk hook you would think that Kanye West co-produced the track as well. However, this is a catchy track that most people will like rather than hate. Polow Da Don shows up to produce "Why Did You Leave Me". Chilly Chil sounds like a low budget Akon and ruins any attempts for this track to be nice. Charlie Wilson attempts to save "Can't Say Goodbye" but when you make a track that sounds just like 2 Pac's "Changes", you wonder to yourself why would even Snoop try to go there.

In conclusion, I know Snoop is in his mid 30s and he won't be making anymore Doggystyle's anytime soon. However, whatever style he is trying to come out with in 2008 should still contain quality tracks. "Ego Trippin'" does have its moments but out of the 21 tracks there are too many duds that are contained on this CD. Snoop should have trimmed the filler and made this a 12-13 track release. In my opinion, it's all about quality tracks and consistency. In this case, I feel most people will just shake their head after they give this CD a good 3-4 listens. Snoop should go back to basics and keep Dr. Dre, as well as, Pharrell & Chad's number on speed dial the next time he decides to make a CD. Teddy Riley does nothing to add to this project at all. He should stick to r&b music.

James' Top 5

1) Neva Have To Worry
2) Waste Of Time w/Raphael Saadiq
3) Sets Up
4) Press Play
5) Gangsta Like Me

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Ego Trippin' by Snoop Dogg