No single rap artist has broken down the barriers like Snoop Dogg. Snoop started his career alongside prominent west coast rappers Dr. Dre and Tupac Shakur. And it was in the west that he remained until the east coast - west coast rap war took the lives of rappers Tupac and Charles Wallace (Notorious B.I.G.). Since then he joined No Limit Records, a record label that in my mind has been hanging off of Snoop's lyrical skill. Now Snoop Dogg brings any thought of an east coast/west coast rivalry crashing down! Snoop Dogg has gone eastside! Well, maybe not that extreme. But now he's representing the Eastside of the LBC!

Snoop Dogg hooked up with rappers Goldie Loc and Tray Dee to form a potent threesome dubbed Tha Eastsidaz. It's hard to say what prompted the eastern move for Snoop. But after a couple of listens to this album, it's evident the move was the right one. Nearly freeing himself from the inhibiting No Limit production and casting away the shadow of the failure of his second album "Tha Doggfather", Snoop Dogg lets loose. The result is the best Snoop Dogg album since "Doggystyle"!

The key to the success of 'Tha Eastsidaz' is Snoop Dogg's departure from No Limit producers. Snoop's last album "Top Dogg" was an amazing album, except for the No Limit tinted tracks. This album was a Dogghouse records production, which explains the great beats. Also, producer Meech Wells, who's output on Snoop's last album was weak, laid down the beats for three of Tha Eastsidaz songs. Amazingly enough, his production was impressive.

"Now We Lay Em Down" is produced by Meech Wells, its juiced with a funky beat that makes the song. "Big Bang Theory" starts out with Xzibit ripping it up with tight lyrics. The Warren G produced beat caresses the verses thrown down by Xzibit, Pinky, Kurupt and CPO. "P***y Sells" houses an ol skool, bell-driven feel. Suga Free drops tight verses, I wish he were featured on more tracks. Snoop Dogg replies with some hilarious lines. "Nigga 4 Life" is a more upbeat gangsta style track. The chorus features a hook and horn that makes the song amazing. "Be Thankful" is an R&B jam that tells a down to earth tale, providing hope for those who have less. Other great songs include "Dogghouse", "Got Beef", "Balls Of Steel", "Ghetto", the first single "G'd Up" and "Take It Back to '85".

Overall this album is extremely impressive. The production is scintillating. There are so many phat beats, that when combined with Snoop Dogg's renown lyricism, make this album a gem. If you're a Snoop Dogg fan, then this album is a must. If you're a die-hard west coast gangsta rap fan, then take a trip east of west and grab this album, you'll definitely enjoy. Otherwise, you might want to consider picking this album up anyway. In my mind, it is the most underrated rap album to be released in a long while.

www.brockwayent.com

(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)

This review was written March 6, 2000