SNOOP DOGG PRESENTS - The Big Squeeze | Review By: Eddie Gurolla


Release Date : April 24 2007

Label : Koch

Rating: 3.5/5

Dub Quotable: “The Big Squeeze’s” greatest strength is the diversity it offers for listeners.

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When Snoop Dogg announced he had started working as a producer under the alias Nigarachi in 2006, fans didn’t know what to expect. It’s obvious that Snoop knows what good music sounds like, but his skills behind the boards were a mystery to the masses. Thankfully, Tha Doggfather has come up with a way for fans to hear his newly founded production talents in the form of his latest compilation, “The Big Squeeze.” In addition to hearing what Niggarachi’s grooves sound like, appearances from the likes of Kurupt, Kam, JT Tha Bigga Figga, and Soopafly keep the disc fresh. “The Big Squeeze” turns out to be more than just another flimsy compilation, boasting a tidy mix of West Coast jams that stick to a consistent sound.

After the undeniably catchy beat that introduces the compilation, the listener is immediately thrust into Westurn Union’s “Hat 2 Tha Bacc,” beginning with Snoop’s acapella chorus, “Hat 2 tha bacc/Spillin’ drink on my lap/ Beatin’ down your block, and my trunk vibratin.’” If the words alone don’t get heads nodding, the snazzy percussion and deep synthesizers that follow certainly will. Immediately after, we are subjected to the harder DPG posse cut “We Came To Bang Out.” The dark piano chords and screaming samples blast on as Soopafly, Kurupt, and Daz trade gangsta rhymes like ".44 and all types of hammers in storage/That means death to all you clowns," and ride the track with a confident ease. Next, we are formally introduced to The Warzone (veterans Kam, MC Eiht, and Goldie Loc) with the grimy "Shackled Up." Niggarachi's earthy, dark sounds hit hard as Goldie Loc flexes his hardcore skills, growling "Faggots with tied up shirts on, that shit seems too wrong."

“The Big Squeeze’s” greatest strength is the diversity it offers for listeners. For instance, “Can You Get Away,” a breezy summertime anthem crafted by David Banner, features a refreshingly smooth verse from Goldie with Ray J on the hook. Another change of pace can be found on the album closer, “Be Thankful,” which features Dubcnn’s own Nima on the intro. Terrace Martin’s warm, jazzy sounds end the compilation on a sentimental note, and leaves listeners with a positive message to ponder.

"The Big Squeeze" isn't a perfect album by any means. While there certainly is plenty of variety here, some of the tracks sound too similar, and the shouting chorus of the metal-infused "Like Rock Stars" gets old fast. However, Snoop has delivered a solid compilation that accomplishes exactly what it set out to do – expose loyal listeners to his production alias Niggarachi, and give them a preview of upcoming projects on Doggystyle Records. After this record, one can’t help but get excited for the eventual release of albums by Westurn Union, The Warzone, and Kurupt, and, certainly, to hear more production by Niggarachi.






 

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