My attempt at a thought-provoking "Ego Trippin" review

[Detox Is A Myth!!!]

So I just listened to Ego Trippin for the first time after buying it this afternoon.  Just so you know, I had only heard "Sexual Eruption" and "Neva Have to Worry" before buying the album in order to keep the first listen fresh.

Overall, I'm disappointed, especially by Teddy Riley.  Most of his tracks are terrible.  For example, "SD is Out" and "Gangsta Like Me" barely present Snoop with a rap-able soundscape.  Perhaps that's as Snoop intended, but then I'm disappointed by the decision to go in that direction.  As it is, Snoop's music is usually devoid of content (more on that in a bit), so if his mic presence / charisma are hampered by an intentionally constructed non-hip hop beat, that's definitely a problem.

A track like "Press Play" is good, I guess, maybe it'll get better with repetition, but you guys overrated it and Kurupt's addition actually subtracts from the song because it doesn't signify anything beyond that which the track otherwise provides, and his gangsta talk doesn't mesh with everything that comes afterward.  Which, while I'm on the subject, I should clarify that this is clearly Snoop's most mainstream album yet.  In fact, in hindsight the intention of his "R&G" album is better accomplished with this album than that one, because this is SERIOUSLY Snoop rapping over r&b/jazz tunes.  In comparison, the Neptunes, while having a smoothed-out sound, at least present halfway decent true hip hop tracks.  So by the time "Sets Up" arrives in the context of the full album, it seems like a breath of fresh air, even if the track is a leftover from a previous album recording session (just a guess).

As disappointing, disjointing and alienating as the QDT tracks are, Snoop compounds the problem by interspersing Southern-influenced hip hop songs like "Ridin in my Chevy" and "Staxxx in my Jeans" that just aren't very good even when taken on their own terms (e.g., do fans of Southern hip hop think these are good songs? I'd venture a guess, "no") nor are they good in the context of their placement on the album, which could conceivably make them sound better in light of the overall album experience, but ultimately even fail in this regard.

Having said that, there are some enjoyable tracks, however jokey or gimmicky they might seem, such as "My Medicine," an accomplished nod to pop-country music, and "Cool," a competent attempt at 80's-esque dance music.  Then again, these are the kind of tracks I could download and turn me off from buying the album, which should give you pause, Snoop.  In other words, this experimental, esoteric type of music belongs on a mixtape rather than an official album.

Generally speaking, the songs Terrace Martin was primarily involved with are the best on the album.  "Been Around the World" is a nice, non-gimmicky rap song.  Meanwhile, "Those Gurlz" and "One Chance" end the album on a strong note, which is a pleasant surprise given the filler loaded at the end of Snoop's previous album ("Beat Up on Yo Pads," anyone?).  On "One Chance," I wish Snoop would deliver something more emotional, because it's similar to Eminem's "Lose Yourself," but absent Em's sense of urgency in delivery, the song can't rise to the level of immediacy that Eminem's classic conveyed.

I did mention Snoop's content -- or lack thereof -- earlier, and I would be remiss if I didn't save the last part of my review for what in my mind is the lasting legacy of this album, namely, for once, hallelulah, Snoop actually made a song of substance -- and not just one, but two!  "Neva Have to Worry" is an instant classic in my book, a song so good stuck on an album so mediocre, that I wish he would've saved it for his next album -- his 10th, which would have given him ample justification to reflect and reminisce back on the ups and downs of his career.  In the context of this album, though, while the song is clearly the best on the album when removed from the context of the overall album, it just sort of pops up early on without introduction.

Yet, "Neva Have to Worry" does foreshadow a similar track, the album's closer -- "Can't Say Goodbye" -- an obviously ghost-written acknowledgment of the commonplace phrase, "Can't leave rap/the streets alone, the game needs me."  Now, Snoop claims in the track that even though he no longer stays on 21st St. he's still a G at heart.  Yet, you wouldn't know that judging by this album.  Taken together with the heavily orchestrated tone of the track, this all makes me think Snoop has some plan in mind for his 10th album.  A plan to come full circle to celebrate his 10th anniversary, so to speak?  Just speculation at this point.  But to me, this song seems reminiscent of when a movie ends by setting up a sequel, like when the monster supposedly dies at the end, but then the final shot of the movie shows the monster or killer rising from the grave.  Is this song setting up a "full circle" type of album for next go-round.  Think about the message of the song -- Snoop didn't prove he's still a man of the street on this album, except for the final song proclaiming as much, which shall be borne out in the next album?  Time will tell.

As for this album, many of the gimmick tracks are terrible, while "Sexual Eruption" for example is good on its own terms, but I don't know how much replay value it and something like "Deez Hollywood Nights" have.  Right now, I think I'm going to be playing "Neva Have to Worry" and the last track many times, but this album has a LOT of tacks with narrow appeal.  Of course, that's what Snoop intended.

I'm very anxious to hear what direction Snoop's next album will take, though.  And if he stays with QDT, will they move back to a more pure hip hop sound?  I will wait and see.

Grade: C+

[D~Nice]

Nice review. Hopefully you won't get the Chad Vader treatment but who gives a shit. Either ya like it or not. But big ups for speaking ya mind on it.

[Dre-Day]

Generally speaking, the songs Terrace Martin was primarily involved with are the best on the album.  "Been Around the World" is a nice, non-gimmicky rap song.  Meanwhile, "Those Gurlz" and "One Chance" end the album on a strong note, which is a pleasant surprise given the filler loaded at the end of Snoop's previous album ("Beat Up on Yo Pads," anyone?).  On "One Chance," I wish Snoop would deliver something more emotional, because it's similar to Eminem's "Lose Yourself," but absent Em's sense of urgency in delivery, the song can't rise to the level of immediacy that Eminem's classic conveyed.

I did mention Snoop's content -- or lack thereof -- earlier, and I would be remiss if I didn't save the last part of my review for what in my mind is the lasting legacy of this album, namely, for once, hallelulah, Snoop actually made a song of substance -- and not just one, but two!  "Neva Have to Worry" is an instant classic in my book, a song so good stuck on an album so mediocre, that I wish he would've saved it for his next album -- his 10th, which would have given him ample justification to reflect and reminisce back on the ups and downs of his career.  In the context of this album, though, while the song is clearly the best on the album when removed from the context of the overall album, it just sort of pops up early on without introduction.

definately agree with you, these are the best tracks imo; and i know that we can't expect snoop to get real lyrical, but i just think that he should have worked out the concepts of those 2 songs more.

[Snoopafly-1986]

this album is not for everyone thats for sure

LOL I'm surprised I like it

[The Homey Darren]

Great review man! I'm really starting to enjoy the album after a few listens. He is all over the place, but Snoop is like that in real life it seems. "My medicine" is one of my favorites despite its goofiness 

[4108]

I pretty much co-sign everything here,

Press Play could have done without Kurupt's misc. yelling. Especially for a chorus, I'd rather the chorus have just been an empty instrumental break like at the very end of the song than to be filled with jibberish.

When magazine previews came about, I figured this would be Rhythm & Gangsta more polished and cohesively put together. Hell with Quik and Teddy behind it, I figured it could do no wrong. the mixing/mastering is crisp and rich, but the album itself falls short to me. Rhythm & Gangsta just has the better execution, both albums are a lot similar in design too.

[gangstarapfan]

RHYTHM AND GANGSTA HAD GANGSTA SONGS WHERE IS THE GANGSTA RAPS ON THIS ALBUM? I STILL LOOKING BUT I CANT FIND THEM

[D~Nice]

I actually digged Kurupt's part on Press Play. Kind of wanted him to spit a couple bars on it. He did the same on Next Episode and Set It Off too, just talking shit. Everyone talks about it's played out to want to have DPGC on his albums. How often are they REALLY on his albums? Excluding his first 2 albums. Not too often.

[Snoopafly-1986]

I actually digged Kurupt's part on Press Play. Kind of wanted him to spit a couple bars on it. He did the same on Next Episode and Set It Off too, just talking shit. Everyone talks about it's played out to want to have DPGC on his albums. How often are they REALLY on his albums? Excluding his first 2 albums. Not too often.

thats how I feel

Gotti shoulda spit a verse and killed it

it sounded like he wanted to by the way his voice was amped

[D~Nice]

I actually digged Kurupt's part on Press Play. Kind of wanted him to spit a couple bars on it. He did the same on Next Episode and Set It Off too, just talking shit. Everyone talks about it's played out to want to have DPGC on his albums. How often are they REALLY on his albums? Excluding his first 2 albums. Not too often.

thats how I feel

Gotti shoulda spit a verse and killed it

it sounded like he wanted to by the way his voice was amped

He hypes up songs well when he does that. Snoop got tired of Kurupt out rapping him on his first 2 albums so he told him to just do ad libs.

[Snoopafly-1986]

I actually digged Kurupt's part on Press Play. Kind of wanted him to spit a couple bars on it. He did the same on Next Episode and Set It Off too, just talking shit. Everyone talks about it's played out to want to have DPGC on his albums. How often are they REALLY on his albums? Excluding his first 2 albums. Not too often.

thats how I feel

Gotti shoulda spit a verse and killed it

it sounded like he wanted to by the way his voice was amped

He hypes up songs well when he does that. Snoop got tired of Kurupt out rapping him on his first 2 albums so he told him to just do ad libs.

LMAO

was there ever a track that Snoop outrapped Kurupt on?

maybe Ride On/Caught Up?

[D~Nice]

I actually digged Kurupt's part on Press Play. Kind of wanted him to spit a couple bars on it. He did the same on Next Episode and Set It Off too, just talking shit. Everyone talks about it's played out to want to have DPGC on his albums. How often are they REALLY on his albums? Excluding his first 2 albums. Not too often.

thats how I feel

Gotti shoulda spit a verse and killed it

it sounded like he wanted to by the way his voice was amped

He hypes up songs well when he does that. Snoop got tired of Kurupt out rapping him on his first 2 albums so he told him to just do ad libs.

LMAO

was there ever a track that Snoop outrapped Kurupt on?

maybe Ride On/Caught Up?

A couple, not as many as Kurupt has outrapped him on. Snoop had longer verses on Caught Up though.

[KC-HOODSTA]

this album is not for everyone thats for sure

LOL I'm surprised I like it

i agree

[HEC]

I actually digged Kurupt's part on Press Play. Kind of wanted him to spit a couple bars on it. He did the same on Next Episode and Set It Off too, just talking shit. Everyone talks about it's played out to want to have DPGC on his albums. How often are they REALLY on his albums? Excluding his first 2 albums. Not too often.

thats how I feel

Gotti shoulda spit a verse and killed it

it sounded like he wanted to by the way his voice was amped

He hypes up songs well when he does that. Snoop got tired of Kurupt out rapping him on his first 2 albums so he told him to just do ad libs.

LMAO

was there ever a track that Snoop outrapped Kurupt on?

maybe Ride On/Caught Up?

A couple, not as many as Kurupt has outrapped him on. Snoop had longer verses on Caught Up though.

havent listened to that in ages, man that is a classic track