Tha Doggfather has died and Snoop Dogg Doggy has been reincarnated as Snoop Dogg. It has been a long time waiting for an album of this magnitude from Snoop. And this time he doesn't fall flat on his face. Snoop Dogg is notorious for his debut album 'Doggstyle', which is one of the best rap albums of all-time. But he's just as renown for his sophomore flop prompting his move from Death Row Records to the oft-hated No Limit Records. All of these moves have culminated to this album, 'Top Dogg', which is hands down, Snoop's best album since his debut!

Snoop Dogg has a style all his own. He is most definitely the best rapper of all the artists signed to No Limit. But he partially departs from the No Limit sound, making use of one of the most diverse array of producers since Jay-z's 'Hard Knock Life' album. Producers vary from Beats by the Pound of No Limit, to the infamous Dr. Dre, DJ Quik & Ant Banks even lace a few tracks. It's this diversity that allows Snoop to shine on this album. He seemingly finds the perfect lyrical roles for featured artists such as Sticky Fingers (of Onyx), Sylk E Fine, Suga Free, Raphael Saadiq, Dre, Warren G & Nate Dogg. Unfortunately, this album does not come close to comparing with 'Doggystyle'. The No Limit tracks bring the album down by almost a ten fold. In fact the very first No Limit track on the album, "My Heat Goes Boom" virtually uses the same beat from the single, "Still A G Thang", off Snoop's last album. Definitely a weak move on No Limit's part.

There are two tracks that stand apart from the others: they're both blazin! "B Please" features Xzibit who just rips it up. With Dre on production, the track doesn't get stuck in your head, so each time you hear it, you're just as amazed. The beat grows on you like fungus between your toes! "Trust Me" is a laid-back track with perfect placed lyrics from Sylk E Fine and Suga Free. Suga Free complements Snoop's style so well. It's got a beat similar to that of Onyx's "Veronica", but even more enticing and little less whiny. "Just Dippin" features Dr. Dre exchanging verses with Snoop like the old days and Jewell finds himself on his first Snoop track since 'Doggystyle'. This song, with Dre's production, gets better each time you hear it. "In Love With A Thug" swings R&B style. A great story and the chorus'll get stuck in your head. "Don't Tell" deserves mention for its g funk style with Nate singing his classic line: "It ain't no fun if the homies can't have none."

This album is a must get for any rap fanatic. Don't delay, this album is worth your money. You'll forget about the not-so-impressive No Limit tracks once you hear the rest of the album. I'm going to break down the album into two parts to rate them.

www.brockwayent.com

(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)

This review was written June 2, 1999