Search - Tha Dogg Pound :: Dogg Chit

(2.5 Stars) At Least They Live Up To The Title!

Charles L. Hubbert | Milwaukee, WI | 06/26/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The heyday for Daz and Kurupt was easily back in the mid 90s when they had the other artists like Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg on their debut album Dogg Food. Another thing that set that album apart was the fact that Daz's production skills were bar none and Kurupt had superior lyrics that were comparable to Snoop Dogg's verses anyday. So for Dogg Chit, it would only make sense for them to try to recreate that magic or come close to it. After the first listen, it becomes clear that those good ol' days are impossible to recreate. They clearly attempted a more streamline West Coast album this time out, resorting more on drum kicks, synthesized melodies, and hard-hitting bass lines. The problem is that it all sounds forced, like the songs "Mo Murder," "Get Out Of My Way," "I'll Bury Ya," and countless other tracks. The only good songs are the ones that feature other artists, a formula that speaks volumes to the relevance of Daz and Kurupt. The Game reps for the West to the fullest with his stellar guest appearance on "Anybody Killa." Snoop Dogg validates the duo with his presence on "Vibe" as well as "Pull Them Draws Down" and "Bucc 'em" (the latter song also features RBX and serves as one of the bonus selections for Best Buy version of the album.) The inclusion of Too Short on the unimpressive collabo "Can't Get Enough" and Bad Azz on the substandard "Where U From" was a total waste of time and shows that having a guest star doesn't always salvage the track. There are a sprinkling of mediocre tracks to fill the rest of the album. The sad thing is that their last album Cali Iz Active wasn't nearly as good as Dogg Food. And since Dogg Chit is worst than that album, it regrettably lives up to its title in more ways than one.

"

A return to form for Daz & Kurupt

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 03/27/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A mere eight months since their last effort, the poorly received Cali Iz Active, west coast legends Daz Dillinger and Kurupt return with "Dogg Chit." This album has been notably less promoted and is a true return to form for the duo. All the problems that made their last album so disappointing have been fixed. For one thing, Daz is back in the production seat, and the production throughout is spectacular. He ensures that every track is fitted with an awesome beat, and there isn't a subpar one on the album. The guest list including southerners like Paul Wall and David Banner has been replaced with a phenomenal crew of west coast vets. But most importantly, Daz and Kurupt sound rejuvenated, especially since their last effort and recent solo albums. Kurupt lyrically is on a level where he hasn't been for years, angrily spitting hungry rhymes in his sinister monotone. His clever threats and puns come across well. Daz sounds totally energetic, excitedly yelling the hooks and rapping quickly. This album's title and cover are obviously an allusion to their 1995 classic debut Dogg Food, a west coast standard, so that could be a blessing or a curse in disguise. But really, the album lives up to the bill. The tracklist is split between angry, upbeat bangers and some slower, modernized g-funk type songs. But here DPG is doing what they do best and not trying to be anyone else. They make strictly west coast gangsta rap, and they do it better than nearly anyone else. Where a guy like Snoop can collaborate with Pharrell and Pussycat Dolls all he wants, you can always count on Daz and Kurupt to stay true to their craft, and while they rarely bring anything new to the table, it's refreshing. There are certainly a few missteps (most notably "Pull Ya Drawz Down" and a few fairly subpar tracks towards the end), and some of the songs sound a little too similar, but I think they knew they had the formula right once again. Most of these songs really bring to mind their 90s heyday. At a time when there's so little of it, this is the most distinctly west coast album in recent memory. Longtime Dogg Pound fans will be very pleased with "Dogg Chit."



The album begins with a straight banger, "Get Out of My Way." This song has incredible, thumping production and a great hook with crazy verses from both rappers, and it's a great start, a sure highlight. The next song, "I'll Bury Ya," continues with more threats and guntalks. Both of these songs are the kind of anthemic, fist pumping, throw-your-hood-up kind of songs that only DPG makes. "Everybody" has a hard beat and rhymes to match, a very nice song. The Game makes a high profile appearance on "Anybody Killa," continuing the strong run of great songs at the beginning of the tracklist. The eerie "Mo Murder" precedes the first Snoop Dogg collabo, "Vibe," which has a nice summertime feel, I would call it single material. The same goes for "Can't Get Enough," which is incredibly catchy and upbeat, which despite a ridiculous chorus turns out great with an appearance from Too Short, ensuring it stays as lewd as possible. "Dat Ain't My Baby" has a funky, droopy beat, but the lyrics are fairly familiar. My favorite song is "Diz Gangsta Chit Iz Ourz," which has an epic sounding beat, and Daz sounds crazy on the hook. This song is also anthemic, a rallying cry with excellent verses. "1 N 1 Out" is pretty nice, if not too memorable, and I'd say the same for "Where U From," featuring a resurrected Bad Azz. "Throw Ya Hood Up" is another highlight, as is the joyful "Itz a Good A.. Day." This is certainly a summertime joint, meant for rolling around to slowly in the sunshine. "Pull Ya Drawz Down" is by far the worst song, a complete sinker with a poor beat, lackluster verses, and a hook and concept that made me shake my head. The three hidden bonus tracks, are, ironically, among the best on the disc. "Blast on 'Em" features an unlikely appearance from Brotha Lynch Hung, a hardcore banger, and the bass-heavy "Bucc 'Em" featuring Snoop and the recently-missing RBX is reminiscent of something from their glory days. Most exciting for me was "Blaze It Up," which features Jayo Felony, G-Malone, and one of my favorite 90s acts, BG Knocc Out & Dresta, who haven't released music since the mid 90s due to incarceration. It was great to hear them on a track again, especially given their intense feud with DPG in the past.



Even if it is overlooked by the rap mainstream at large, "Dogg Chit" is a refreshing and very fulfilling album of west coast gangsta music from a group that pioneered and perfected the art. This is an album that should be heard bumping through car speakers throughout the summer, and I know when the summer months roll around it will be on heavy rotation for me. This album is highly recommended."

This Time Around, They Have Some Better Chit (Rating: 7 out

Chandler | Atlanta (College Park), Georgia | 04/01/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After the horrible and dissapointing Cali Iz Active last summer, Tha Dogg Pound (Daz and Kurupt) hits us with their new LP Dogg Chit. The first thing that I seemed to notice is that the duo's lyrical skills aren't on point. They're still gangstas, but it seems like it's all they rhyme about, gangsta material (going to clubs, shooting people, etc.). Now thats not necessarly a bad thing, but I believe it's time to switch it up a little bit, in my opinion. Their rhymes are on point, but don't expect anyone on this album to blow you away on the lyrical side. Basically if you want to hear them rhyme like they were still on Death Row Records, you won't have to look far on this album.



The production is good. At least this time around Daz is behind the board, either producing or co-producing every song. Some of his production bangs, like "Where You From" and "Can't Get Enough" really have nice beats. "Dat Ain't My Baby" does have nice production, but the chorus almost wreckz the song. At the beginning of the album, some of the fast paced beats, are starting to grow on me as I listen more.



Guest appearances are good as well. "Anybody Killa" is one of those tracks that grew on me, and The Game drops a good verse (and one without saying anyones name). Too $hort drops a verse that you would normally expect from him on the song "Can't Get Enough". Bad Azz does a good job on "Where You From". Snoop Dogg appears on the bouncy tracks "Vibe" and "Pull Ya Drawz Down", something you would expect from him. The guests do a fine job on this album, something you would expect from the West Coast artists. And was that me, or did I hear Yo-Yo at the end of "Throw Ya Hood Up"?



And depending on where you purchased this album, you get three bonus tracks. "Blast On 'Em" is your average shoot-em up song. But it's good because Brotha Lynch Hung drops an excellent verse. "Bucc 'Em" has a real sick beat by Daz and Ivan Johnson, and features Snoop Dogg and RBX. And "Blaze It Up" features G. Malone, Jayo Felony, B.G. Knocc Out, and Dresta. The latter two names had beef between Tha Dogg Pound back in the mid 90's, and the fact that they are on a song together along is real happy to hear.



So overall, this album is dope. It's not the best album from the duo, but they have redeemed themselves from the Cali Iz Active album. Infact this is what that album should have sounded like, in my opinion. There are some flawed moments on this album, but I still like the album. If you're a fan of the West Coast, this album would be an excellent addition to your collection.



Lyrics: B

Production: A-

Guest Appearances: B

Musical Vibes: B-

Overall: B



Favorite Tracks: Vibe, Can't Get Enough, Where U From, It's A Good A** Day, Pull Ya Drawz Down, Buck 'Em, Blaze It Up



Honorable Mention Track: Throw Ya Hood Up, Anybody Killa



Peace Everyone!!!"