Billboard Top Ten For My Birthday Week: Number 7

Snoop Dogg
Ego Trippin


The boss has returned, still flyer than a bizzrd...

From the get-go, you can tell this is another on the mark album from the Doggfather himself. As always, he doesn't rely on the formulas of now to sell records, but incorporates everything that has become a hit as of late to his own West Coast G-Funk style. This is easily one of the most R&B heavy albums Snoop has released, (without crossing that border to rap & B). Most of his R&B styling this time is based around a retro feel, which, if you've heard or seen "Sexual Eruption" you'll know that.

As usual with someone of Snoop's stature, a lot of the album has to do with carefree partying, money and other things that don't seem nearly as sincere coming out of people that aren't at the level that those like Snoop and Jay-Z are at. But, another usual aspect of Snoop's albums is his overall honesty as well as slight introspection. On "Neva Have 2 Worry" Snoop takes us through a retrospective of his career, opening up with 1992 and calmly leading us by the hand to 2008. Through this particular track, his vocals are the center of the track and he utilizes the beat as nothing more than a backdrop for the story. On the very next track, "Sexual Eruption," the vocals melt into the retro-styled beat.

But, don't let the lead single fool you, not the entire album is retro sounding. Tracks like "Life of da Party" feature hyphy superstars Mistah F.A.B. and Too $hort and show that Snoop can roll with the times, seamlessly. Not only does Snoop roll into the realm of hyphy, a relatively new style, he collaborates with country-rap godfather, Everlast on "My Medicine".

The biggest problem with the album is the frequency of half-cocked tracks that just become filler to get to the hour mark.

Best Tracks:

Pros:
- Snoop's versatility is incredible on the album.
- The guests are all used amazingly, though there are a lot of them.
- Nice smattering of single tracks versus album tracks.

Cons:
- Tons of filler tracks.
- Some beats sound like throwaways, or at least unfinished.
- Too much of a good thing (the old school R&B feel).

Overall Score: 79%