Review Summary: Nice and enjoyable debut by Tha Dogg Pound.
„Dogg food“ is the debut album by Tha Dogg Pound, a hip hop duo made up of Daz Dillinger and Kurupt.When talking about the greatest artists and albums of west coast hip hop then the first things coming to your mind must probably be 2Pac and „All Eyez on Me“ or Dr.Dre’s „The Chronic“ or perhaps „Doggystyle“ by Snoop Dogg.You never however hear someone to say „but what about Dogg Pound?“, „ain’t they worth some attention?“.Answering to that, I think they do.In my opinion Tha Dogg Pound was greatly overshadowed by the fame of Snoop and Dre at the time.Their later releases haven’t gained attention because relased independently.
“Dogg Food“ was released in 1995 and it has very similar sound to „The Chronic“ and „Doggystyle“.
The album became subject for much controversy because of it’s violent and sexual lyrics describing the „gangsta“ lifestyle.It was however another multi platinum release by Death Row records that dominated the hip hop scene in the begginning and mid nineties.
Most of the album is produced by one half of the duo Daz Dillinger who became Death Row’s main producer after Dr.Dre left in 1996.
Two singles were released from the album: „Let’s play house“ and „New York, New York“ and it also was a subject to much controversy because it’s thought to be a „diss“ towards the east coast hip hop scene.In the video members of Tha Dogg Pound and Snoop Dogg kick down the New York skyscrapers.It also gained a response „L.A, L.A.“ by Mobb Deep, Tragedy Khadafi and Capone N Noreaga.Most songs of the album have guest appearences by Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg and other artists involved with Death Row.
The track „Dogg Pound Gangstaz“ also contains a diss against Bone Thugs N Harmony because of their signing with Eazy-Es Ruthless records and had rivalry with Death Row.
Lyrically the album is not anything new from the „Doggystyle“ or „The Chronic“ but is still a very solid, enjoyable west coast record and deserves much more attention than it has had.It was also the first and the last album by Tha Dogg Pound to record and release under Death Row.Album named „2002“ was released by Death Row in 2001 which was made up of old and unreleased tracks that were recorded during their Death Row days.
Any hip hop fan that wants to try something new but wants that good old feeling of west coast should try that album out.I can’t say that everybody probably love that music but if you like west coast and hip hop overall then you probably like this album too.
Recommended tracks:
„DoggPound Gangstaz“
“New York, New York“
“Ridin', Slipin', and Slidin”
“A Doggz Day Afternoon“
„Let’s Play House“
