The Double-G has released a new record, Malice N Wonderland, brimming with Snoop’s nonchalant rhyming, raunchy humor, and blasting commentary. In many ways, Snoop had every right, very early in his career in the late 90s, to assume the title Doggfather. With one record (Doggstyle), Snoop managed to change rap music completely. His style of rapping was incomparable (still is), fitting perfectly with his taste in 70s funk and Motown. For me, Snoop peaked with No Limit Top Dogg, which was grittier than Doggstyle, but retained that perfect symmetry between the Double-G’s rhymes and the ambient music that compliments his smooth voice so well. And it was that album that demarcates the hip-hop at its peak and the hip-hop today. There was a slow degradation of quality in rap records beginning after the end of the 90s, which some blame on the advent of internet piracy and others on greedy music labels. Whatever the cause or condition, this may not be the greatest time for the Top Dogg. The new album demonstrates that Snoop has lost nothing over the years; his rapping is still impressive and suave. Musically, however, this album flounders. For the exception of Secrets (an awesome adaptation of the 80s one-hit wonder), most of the songs here lack the creativity and sense of taste that has gone into previous works by Snoop. Despite the lull in the hip-hop industry, Snoop perseveres as a great rapper, but what he needs is to take some risks and collaborate with a new set of artists. Otherwise, the raunchy dog pound we all love will look more and more like a doggy-daycare for frilly poodles.
David Rozon
Key Tracks: Gangsta Luv, 1800, Secrets, I Wanna Rock
Moods: Swaggering, Fun, Relaxed, Playful, Smooth, Brash
Buy: Malice N Wonderland
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