R & G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece

by

Snoop Dogg

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Many have called Snoop Dogg's Rhythm and Gangsta: The Masterpiece his best release since his 1993 debut Doggystyle. Doggystyle was a classic and Rhythm & Gangsta may very well be the 2004 answer to Doggystyle.

Snoop is the same pretty much. He still has his laid back flow, and his influence from the 70's is still very present. Snoop also is still talking about "chuuuch." This is a musical album, thus the title Rhythm and Gangsta implies. Many of the songs have such an R&B feel ("Ups & Downs," "Perfect") that you can really clap your hands and get your groove on. Even the songs with an R&B feel, still have gangsta lyrics. One thing I found very irresponsible on the album is Snoops frequent reference to the Crypt street gang. Snoop is such a huge international star, he really doesn't need to give shout out's to a street gang.

"Drop It Like It's Hot" is undeniably an anthem and one of the best, if not the best, song on the album. His song with 50 Cent, "Oh No," is very hot. The way that Pharrell sings SNOOP real slow makes this song the modern day "What's My Name." This song has heat, but many of the other songs are mellow songs you can ride to like, "The Bidness." The song with Justin Timberlake and Charlie Wilson "Signs" is another mellow song with a 70's flavor. "Girl Like U" featuring Nelly has a real radio friendly feel and also includes Pharrell singing on the hook.

Snoop has some real interesting songs about the opposite sex on this album such as, "I'm Threw Witchu," and "Can U Control Yo Hoe." "I'm Threw Witchu" is a really terrible song, perhaps it is a skit or a joke.

Snoop is still rapping about getting high, he hasn't changed much. The weed anthem on this album is "Let's Get Blown," which features Pharrell singing on the chorus. Being that The Neptunes co-produced this album with Snoop, Pharrell appears on several tracks un-credited on the back cover.Rhythm & Gangsta is a pretty hot album. Snoop Dogg and The Neptunes make good music. Musically and productionwise, this is the best Snoop Dogg album since his days with Dr. Dre.

Guests on the album include Pharrell, The Bee Gees, Charlie Wilson, Soopafly, Bootsy Collins, Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent, Nelly, Lil Jon, and Trina.

It's clear to see from the reviews here that Snoop Dogg still has a devoted fan base, and it's also evident that most of the less-than-four-star ratings for this album are getting a lot of unhelpful votes. But I have to be honest and say that this album, R&G, really isn't doing it for me.

After listening to this album, I had to ask myself if Snoop put this album out because he wanted to or because he was bored. And I really don't understand how people can say this is better than Doggystyle. But while there's nothing really mind-blowing here, there are still some songs that are good for dancing to, like "Drop It Like It's Hot" (if people are surprised I'm saying that after reading my `2004 Awards' guide, I said the song was overrated; I didn't say it was wack) and also "Oh No" with 50 Cent. The only real problem with the latter is the screaming of "G-UNIT!" at the end -- but 50 doesn't say it; Snoop does, and he sounds ridiculous.

But there are so many problems on this album that it's annoying. For one thing, as another reviewer mentioned, there are way too many guest stars on here, and they really don't bring anything to the table, like Nelly on the filler track "Girl Like U". And even Bootsy Collins can't save the stupid "Can I Get a Flicc Witchu". Bootsy also shows up on the last track, "No Thang On Me", but Snoop is hardly even in it, and when he IS, he's just talking instead of rapping. The same goes for "I'm Threw Witchu", where he's only talking for a little at the beginning before Soopafly desecrates the rest of the song.

Things also get strange when you come to "Ups & Downs" with the Bee Gees. Actually, the Bee Gees aren't really in it; the music is just taken from their song "Love You Inside and Out". And "Step Yo Game Up" (with Lil Jon and Trina) is confusing because the chorus is calling out to wack emcees while the verses are about having sex (but who is Trina to tell someone to step their game up, anyway?).

One song I really don't care for is "Can U Control Yo H**", not necessarily because of its title, but because it talks about smacking women up. I know it's just a song, but it still bothers me. And "Fresh Pair of Panties On" is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard (starting with its title). But another flaw the album has is how formulaic things can get. There's the obligatory song Snoop named after himself ("Snoop D.O. Double G") and the obligatory Gap-Band-sampled-tracks-featuring-Charlie-Wilson ("Signs", also featuring Justin Timberlake; and "Perfect"). Even though Charlie can still sing, his presence still makes things monotonous.

Snoop Dogg can show that he can stay in the game, but I just don't think he has it any more (by the way, 213's album also proves that). He might still be able to go platinum, but this 78-minute album isn't the masterpiece he claims it to be.

Anthony Rupert