Tha Dogg Pound's move to an independent label was met with a collective shrug from most. After selling a couple million copies of their debut, the group fell into obscurity, also partly due to not being allowed to actually use Tha Dogg Pound name due to being stuck under contract with Death Row. Suge actually released an album of B-Sides under Than Dogg Pound a few months prior to the release of D&YG to ensure that they wouldn't sell. It's a shame, because the album is pretty damn good. Daz enlists Rap-A-Lot producer Mike Dean to provide an atmospheric effect to his G-Funk beats. Although neither rapper talks about much (hood shit, super misogynistic songs for the ladies), few duo's have better chemistry than Daz and Kurupt do. The record's first half is alot more fun, as this is where the songs about girls, drugs and partying are at. The 2 emcees deliver some hilarious lines and catchy back and forth flows over bass heavy beats. The 2nd half falls into more of the gangsta realm, but the group's best work in that area seems to be over. The excellent beats and female backing vocals help to carry the tracks. This album also seemed to mark the decline of Kurupt, previously one of rap's most creative lyricists. This is still a very solid album, and the last one the 2 would do before Kurupt deflected back to Death Row, which didn't exactly go over well with his DPG fan. The 2 would get back together after a few years, but the magic was gone by then. Still my favorite duo ever in rap.
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