GO TO OUR NEW SITE - www.thehiphopchronicle.com

Snoop Dogg – Ego Trippin

A Dogg With New Tricks

When promoting his 9th studio album ‘Ego Trippin’, Snoop said he didn’t ‘need Dr. Dre’ and…he doesn’t.

Enlisting the help of Pharrell Williams, DJ Quick and Teddy Reilly, ‘Ego Trippin’ creates a sound that’s a throwback to 70’s soul and 80’s R&B 

After the less poignant intro, the album really kicks off with horn riddled ‘Press Play’, an upbeat track with DPG member Krupt supplying the hook.

The use of live instruments throughout the album is a genius move and suits Snoop’s vocals well.  This is best illustrated with the 80’s themed ‘Sensual Seduction’ where Snoop singing (that’s right … singing!) about being a freak in the sheets.

Snoop has matured and his sound has as well. The rapper appears more sincere on tracks like ‘Make It Good’, where he professes to be a different man to his wife. And on of the most promising tracks off the album, the autobiographical ‘Never Have To Worry’ Snoop is honest.

Snoop’s experimentation with sound reaches its peak with ‘My Medicine. The country-rock song is an ode to Johnny Cash who the rapper describes as a ‘real American Gangster’.

However ‘You can’t take the hood out of the homeboy’ and the rapper’s sincerity is mixed in with songs about the streets, hoes (‘Staxx In My Jeans’) and the club. On ‘Deez Hollywood Nights’ he rhymes “I’m in the back of the club, getting a back rub” Overall ‘Ego Trippin is well produced and a valiant effort from the veteran. The only problem I have with this album, like his last (’The Blue Carpet Treatment’), is the length. Its 20 songs and later songs like ‘Ridin In My Chevy lack the same quality as ‘Set’s Up’ and ‘Never Have To Worry’.