REVIEW: SNOOP DOGG: DOGGUMENTARY

4/5

More seriously, smooth, soulful, Snoopadelic styles from the Doggfather of rhythmic hip-hop.

Snoop Dogg has either struck a deal with the devil or is simply the hardest-working, most diversely-talented, longest-running relevant act in the A-list of Hollywood, Hip-Hop stars. From his ground-breaking, hip-hop legacy, classic debut 'Doggystyle', to his legendary groups Tha Dogg Pound (with Kurupt and Daz Dillinger) and 213 (with legends Warren G and Nate Dogg (R.I.P.)) Snoop has made classic after classic. From the hardcore, to G-Funk, to 'Rhythm & Gangster,' Snoop has evolved musically all whilst staying true to himself. Whether in the form of being arguably the best guest rapper of all-time (next to Ludacris, Busta Rhymes and Lil' Wayne) or his legacy with Dr. Dre, Master P and Pharrell. Snoop's popularity and character has earned him more work in movies and the GPS of peoples cars.

As Uncle Snoop has got older he's become even more relevant, resembling Quincy Jones in more then just looks. With more classics then you remember or know, Snoop has released timeless, hip-hop scriptures from 'What's My Name' to 'Drop It Like It's Hot'. In the early 2000's Snoop made 'Beautiful' collaborations with Pharrell, giving his career the rhythmic, feel-good, second-wind that has spawned great CD's like 'From The Chuuch To The Palace', 'Tha Blue Carpet Treatment' and the inventive, his-way, Frank classic journey of 'Ego Trippin''. Now fresh off the perfect balance of his gangster and rhythmic ways on the album 'Malice N Wonderland', (and it's ravishing reissue 'More Malice') the hardest-working, multi-talented, West-Coast legend is back to show he's still as hot as the Californian sun with his 'Doggumentary' music.

The Hollywood star, walk the walk of fame with this 21 track epic, where all tracks deserve their own recognition. Even fresh off pulling a Kanye and Timbaland by releasing music for free every week (as part of his 'Puff, Puff, Pass Tuesday') Snoop has more maliciously magnificent tracks from his vault as his disposal which you'll be willing to part dollars and sense for. Led by the sweat inducing single 'Wet', the Dogg's gangster funk soaks through the speakers, drenching the mainstream like downtown Los Angeles heat. 'Toyz N Da Hood' (featuring Bootsy Collins), serves as the perfect album intro with it's fantastic, funkadelic sound. While producing partner Battlecat brings a brilliantly bold beat for 'The Way Life Used To Be', a great reminiscent story song that even bests Snoop's most recent laments of 'Think About It', 'Up's & Down's and 'Neva Have 2 Worry'.

Snoop gets even deeper to start the album off with the Mr. Porter assisted 'My Own Way'. The D12 member croons, "they say I'm a fool/because I like to do things my own way", over some signature Snoop lines as the producer furthers his own legend of delivering quality backdrops for the front-runners in the game. Following the funky 'Wonder What I Do', is the seriously hard 'My Fucn House' featuring Young Jeezy and E-40 and some awesome aggression for an aggravated assault of the airwaves.

Following the 'Peer Pressure' and classic sampler of Traci Nelson's guest-spot Snoop delivers the albums best with 'I Don't Need No Bitch'. A track that may not exactly be poetic, but is still Snoop at his serious nicest. Snoop then goes for the multiple figures with R. Kelly on the plaque plated 'Platinum'. After that explosive heater S. D. brings more 'Boom' with T-Pain as the hook master brings a different type of chorus style for a signature hit. Then Snoop champions his city and home like he was the Lakers on the back-to-back, 'We Rest In Cali' and 'El Lay', two of the album's brightest tracks illuminating the West-Coast like early July fireworks in downtown.

Doggy Dogg has made his own sound a billboard success, but that hasn't stopped him from taking it back to the raw, rugged street sound of his early career and that is tracked on songs like 'Gangbang Rookie' and 'Something Like This Night' featuring the ground-breaking Gorillaz. Just like on his last album Snoop balances his early and most recent styles for a different, but potent mix. From the 'Aint No Fun' esque 'Take You Home' (where his homies get some) to the heart monitor, classic beats of 'Raised In The Hood'. Even on the albums, numerous guest-spots, Snoop takes charge as he rolls papers with protegee, and latest thing Wiz Khalifia on the smoking blazer 'The Weed Is Mine'.

The real-highlight is where Snoop explores his country side once again with the cowboy collaboration with iconic American legend Willie Nelson. Following the pairs ego trip on 'My Medicine' they link up perfectly still on 'Superman', with heroic risks they pull off another partnership for he envelope-pushing ages. Then Kanye brings one of his 'Dark Fantasy's' for the amazing and awakening 'Eyez Closed' with John Legend in tow. If that wasn't enough Snoop goes into 20 territory finishing strong with the winning 'It's D Only Thang', which is perfect for this March Madness and 'Cold Game', one of the hottest heaters on the entire disc. Snoop brings frequent collaborator Latoyia Williams back for the perfect closer, showing that even by the outro Snoop has more ready to go.

The Beatles of rap, Run-DMC once referred to Snoop as the Bob Dylan of hip-hop and with his constant output of vast, diverse but high-quality material their right. Snoop came off 'Death Row' and has showed over the years that there is no limit to his style, success and longevity. As the Dogg pounds more musical sustenance he delivers one of his best packs yet. Originally this album was meant to be a sequel to 'Doggstyle' but instead it's the perfect feature presentation for the second-wind of Snoop's career. If you want to know the secret to this mans success then check out this documentary, which reveals every side of this 'pup that knows all the tricks. As Snoop takes us to school, it's time were the ones that learned. This Dogg is a rare breed still putting down killer tracks into his forties, yet he's not getting old. Chuuuch! TIM DAVID HARVEY.