5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A return to form for Daz & Kurupt, March 27, 2007
A mere eight months since their last effort, the poorly received
Cali Iz Active, west coast legends Daz Dillinger and Kurupt return with "Dogg Chit." This album has been notably less promoted and is a true return to form for the duo. All the problems that made their last album so disappointing have been fixed. For one thing, Daz is back in the production seat, and the production throughout is spectacular. He ensures that every track is fitted with an awesome beat, and there isn't a subpar one on the album. The guest list including southerners like Paul Wall and David Banner has been replaced with a phenomenal crew of west coast vets. But most importantly, Daz and Kurupt sound rejuvenated, especially since their last effort and recent solo albums. Kurupt lyrically is on a level where he hasn't been for years, angrily spitting hungry rhymes in his sinister monotone. His clever threats and puns come across well. Daz sounds totally energetic, excitedly yelling the hooks and rapping quickly. This album's title and cover are obviously an allusion to their 1995 classic debut
Dogg Food, a west coast standard, so that could be a blessing or a curse in disguise. But really, the album lives up to the bill. The tracklist is split between angry, upbeat bangers and some slower, modernized g-funk type songs. But here DPG is doing what they do best and not trying to be anyone else. They make strictly west coast gangsta rap, and they do it better than nearly anyone else. Where a guy like Snoop can collaborate with Pharrell and Pussycat Dolls all he wants, you can always count on Daz and Kurupt to stay true to their craft, and while they rarely bring anything new to the table, it's refreshing. There are certainly a few missteps (most notably "Pull Ya Drawz Down" and a few fairly subpar tracks towards the end), and some of the songs sound a little too similar, but I think they knew they had the formula right once again. Most of these songs really bring to mind their 90s heyday. At a time when there's so little of it, this is the most distinctly west coast album in recent memory. Longtime Dogg Pound fans will be very pleased with "Dogg Chit."
The album begins with a straight banger, "Get Out of My Way." This song has incredible, thumping production and a great hook with crazy verses from both rappers, and it's a great start, a sure highlight. The next song, "I'll Bury Ya," continues with more threats and guntalks. Both of these songs are the kind of anthemic, fist pumping, throw-your-hood-up kind of songs that only DPG makes. "Everybody" has a hard beat and rhymes to match, a very nice song. The Game makes a high profile appearance on "Anybody Killa," continuing the strong run of great songs at the beginning of the tracklist. The eerie "Mo Murder" precedes the first Snoop Dogg collabo, "Vibe," which has a nice summertime feel, I would call it single material. The same goes for "Can't Get Enough," which is incredibly catchy and upbeat, which despite a ridiculous chorus turns out great with an appearance from Too Short, ensuring it stays as lewd as possible. "Dat Ain't My Baby" has a funky, droopy beat, but the lyrics are fairly familiar. My favorite song is "Diz Gangsta Chit Iz Ourz," which has an epic sounding beat, and Daz sounds crazy on the hook. This song is also anthemic, a rallying cry with excellent verses. "1 N 1 Out" is pretty nice, if not too memorable, and I'd say the same for "Where U From," featuring a resurrected Bad Azz. "Throw Ya Hood Up" is another highlight, as is the joyful "Itz a Good A.. Day." This is certainly a summertime joint, meant for rolling around to slowly in the sunshine. "Pull Ya Drawz Down" is by far the worst song, a complete sinker with a poor beat, lackluster verses, and a hook and concept that made me shake my head. The three hidden bonus tracks, are, ironically, among the best on the disc. "Blast on 'Em" features an unlikely appearance from Brotha Lynch Hung, a hardcore banger, and the bass-heavy "Bucc 'Em" featuring Snoop and the recently-missing RBX is reminiscent of something from their glory days. Most exciting for me was "Blaze It Up," which features Jayo Felony, G-Malone, and one of my favorite 90s acts, BG Knocc Out & Dresta, who haven't released music since the mid 90s due to incarceration. It was great to hear them on a track again, especially given their intense feud with DPG in the past.
Even if it is overlooked by the rap mainstream at large, "Dogg Chit" is a refreshing and very fulfilling album of west coast gangsta music from a group that pioneered and perfected the art. This is an album that should be heard bumping through car speakers throughout the summer, and I know when the summer months roll around it will be on heavy rotation for me. This album is highly recommended.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
(2.5 Stars) At Least They Live Up To The Title!, June 26, 2007
The heyday for Daz and Kurupt was easily back in the mid 90s when they had the other artists like Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg on their debut album
Dogg Food. Another thing that set that album apart was the fact that Daz's production skills were bar none and Kurupt had superior lyrics that were comparable to Snoop Dogg's verses anyday. So for Dogg Chit, it would only make sense for them to try to recreate that magic or come close to it. After the first listen, it becomes clear that those good ol' days are impossible to recreate. They clearly attempted a more streamline West Coast album this time out, resorting more on drum kicks, synthesized melodies, and hard-hitting bass lines. The problem is that it all sounds forced, like the songs "Mo Murder," "Get Out Of My Way," "I'll Bury Ya," and countless other tracks. The only good songs are the ones that feature other artists, a formula that speaks volumes to the relevance of Daz and Kurupt. The Game reps for the West to the fullest with his stellar guest appearance on "Anybody Killa." Snoop Dogg validates the duo with his presence on "Vibe" as well as "Pull Them Draws Down" and "Bucc 'em" (the latter song also features RBX and serves as one of the bonus selections for Best Buy version of the album.) The inclusion of Too Short on the unimpressive collabo "Can't Get Enough" and Bad Azz on the substandard "Where U From" was a total waste of time and shows that having a guest star doesn't always salvage the track. There are a sprinkling of mediocre tracks to fill the rest of the album. The sad thing is that their last album
Cali Iz Active wasn't nearly as good as
Dogg Food. And since Dogg Chit is worst than that album, it regrettably lives up to its title in more ways than one.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
VIBE WIT THE POUND, September 11, 2008
This review is from: Dogg Chit (+3 Bonus Tracks) (Audio CD)
THA DOGG POUND
DOGG CHIT
1.GET OUT MY WAY-produced by Daz Dillinger, it was great to see that in the credits. And this is definitely a banger right here, it has a very bass driven feel to it and has that DPG feel as well. Kurupt does his thing on this track, putting it down like only he can. Daz sounds like he is right at home on this track, this is a good opening track. The hook on this track is baging.4/5
2.I'LL BURY YA-Daz and Ivan Johnson team together once again to bring this anthem like song to the album. The instrumental to this is defiantly one the best on the album, the hook is like the southern style type of hook. Lyric and flow wise Kurupt absolutely destroys this track, his verses are excellent. Daz kills this one as well, good song.4.5/5
3.EVERYBODY-Daz and Soopafly provide this track with a very high octane instrumental for the Pound to destroy. Kurupt kills this track with some cool lyrics, and Daz does his thing as well on here. This has got to be one of the better over all tracks, and the hook is reminiscent of the old school. I think Kurupt's first verse is fire.5/5
4.ANYBODY KILLA-The Game features on this Daz, Ivan, and Soopafly produced throwback to earl west coast music. The beat to this is vintage west coast and will have everyone listening remembering the 90's. Daz kicks it off with a good verse full of vintage Dogg Pound charisma. The Game kicks it next with a show stealing verse that shows why he is one of the new faces of the west. Of course Kurupt kills the track with his signature battle oriented style, and the hook sounds great over this beat.5/5
5.MO MURDER-Daz and Ivan reunite once again to produce another throwback style joint. This kinda reminds me of some of the old Deathrow style tracks. The hook is kinda simplistic but it cool I guess, I think it could have been better. Daz sounds great over this production, and his flow is flawless on this song. Kurupt does his thing on this track, and lyric wise he kills this track once again.4/5
6.VIBE-the single of the album right here, you may have seen the video before. Snoop Dogg his back with the Pound on this track, as he provides a great catchy hook that will have everyone singing along. Kurupt kicks things off nice with a smooth verse for the ladies. Daz who has always been good on these types of tracks does not disappoint. Speaking of which Daz and Ivan produced the most mainstream and bouncy track on the album with this one, classic DPG.5/5
7.CAN'T GET ENOUGH-we follow that song up with another one about the ladies, this one is a little more explicit. Too Short guests on this one and he is right at home on this track, Daz as well like on the previous feels right at home. Kurupt is good as well on this track, but this is more the other two's style. The hook is pretty funny though, and the beat from Daz and Ivan is fun as well.3.5/5
8.DAT AIN'T MY BABY-first off the production on this track is outstanding, Daz and Ivan really did a great job on this one. And like the last one this has a pretty funny hook on it. Daz does his thing on this one but this is not his best, it sounds cool when he sings. Kurupt actually sounds really good on this track, he softens his voice a little for this one.4/5
9.THIZ GANGSTA CHIT IZ OURZ-now this is what I am talking about right here, Daz and Ivan did a great job production wise. The beat to this is definitely off the hoof for real, perfect fit for these two. The hook to this song is real cool and with the beat sounds epic. Daz sounds like he is straight out his "R.R. and Get Back" days, he sounds really energized on this one. Kurupt sounds great on this track, it is more his style compared to the last couple of tracks. This is definitely an album highlight.5/5
10.1 N1 OUT-this is another track that makes this album worth buying, this has to be one of the better tracks on the album. Kurupt is amazing on this track, lyrically on fire. He also delivers a really good hook over this wonderful Daz & Ivan production, this like "Everybody" sounds eastern influenced. Daz does his thing on this song as well, but Kurupt kills this one.5/5
11.WHERE U FROM-this straight sounds like the old school DPG, and why not the great Bad Azz is in the house. It is about time I hear Kurupt and Bad Azz together again, them two were going at it hard after Bad got jumped by Deathrow. Anyway Bad kicks thing off with the show stealer verse, his flow is amazing on this track. Daz kicks it next and goes hard on it, and Kurupt finishes it off a wonderful verse. And the beat from Daz and Ivan is excellent.5/5
12.THROW YA HOOD UP-this could possibly be the best song on the album with out a doubt. Kurupt straight destroys this track with a great battle rap influenced verse that will remind all of his Deathrow days. Daz does his thing as well on this track and really lays it all out, he also delivers a great hook for this song. He and Ivan created a classic in my mind on this one, classic, plus YO-YO is at the end of this track.5/5
13.IT'Z A GOOD DAY-this is straight west coast right here, from the beat to the hook to the verses this is for the west. Daz and Ivan once again hold it down right, this is reminiscent of the old west coast productions. And the beautiful hook just makes this track stick out as one of the two's best tracks. Kurupt does his thing on this track, but I think Daz actually sounds more comfortable on this track.4.5/5
14.PULL YA DRAWZ DOWN-this is really some what like the "Vibe" song, and not only because Snoop is on this one. But the beat has that bouncy mainstream feel to it thanks to no surprise here Daz and Ivan Johnson. Snoop this time around not only provides a catchy hook but also lays down a very nice verse. Daz follows Snoop with an excellent verse of his own, and Kurupt ends it with a cool verse of his own.4.5/5
These next tracks are bonus songs that came on some versions.
15.BLAST ON EM'-what a great song we have here, a west coast anthem that Daz and Ivan laced a killer beat to. This is honestly an excellent track right here, and features a special guest out in the west, and the hook will have you singing along easily. Daz starts it out with a cool verse, but it is Brotha Lynch Hung who destroys this track with his verse. Kurupt ends it with a nice verse, but Lynch took this one. Great track.5/5
16.BUCC EM'-next up is another Daz and Ivan produced track featuring Snoop, but RBX is along for the ride on this one. The beat to this one is definitely for all those who like to bump while they ride, really bass heavy. Daz kicks it off with one of his better verses on the album. RBX destroys this song with a classic X verse that leaves you waiting for his next album. Kurupt kills this track with ease and ends the song with a lethal verse. And Snoop's hook is excellent, really fits the beat perfectly.5/5
17.BLAZE IT UP-Daz produces this high octane west coast all-star extravaganza, every one's on this one. Glasses Malone who is one of the best on the west starts the song out with a great verse, and Jayo Felony follows up with a vicious verse. BG Knocc Out is in the house on the next verse and kills it as does his partner Dresta with his verse straight killing em'. Kurupt ends things with a great verse and kills it as usual, and Daz provides a great hook that is just as hype as the beat.5/5
This was a great release, I can't wait for the next one.
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