Everything Wrong with the Kuruption album? How to fix it…

[TraceOneInfinite]

So true homie, you and I were there when these albums first dropped.  I was sitting at Best Buy on new release Tuesday waiting to get this album, same with Doggfather.  And this disappointment was real.  Knowing you had to wait years before another album from either dropped.  It wasn't like you could just download songs, you bought a CD, you listened to it whether it was good or not cause that's all you had.  There was no internet, the only news was through The Source or Rap Pages, like once a month.  So we had no idea what was going through Snoop or Kurupt's minds when they totally switched up their appearance for these albums.  Last time I saw Kurupt was on the Doggy Dogg World video dressed like a pimp.  Then I hear he has an album coming out and i'm pumped.  I go to buy it, and he's dressed like a 40's gangster on the cover rapping over an entire disc of east coast beats, like WTF?  And none of the original DPGs are on the album, he's rapping with people like Baby S, El Drex, Roscoe, cats i've never even heard of back then.  I was hella disappointed.  Kuruption grew on me after a while, but just like Doggfather, it wasn't at all what i was expecting.  It's easy for these younger guys to look back in hindsight and praise this album but unless you actually lived through it, you won't fully understand.

The disappointment was real.  I fuccin trusted these guys, dammit.  That they knew what was best for me as a hip-hop head.  When "Big Pimpin" came out the sound was much more light-hearted than Doggystyle, but dammit, I trusted these guys.  So I just kept jamming away to it, and soon, it became my favorite jam of summer 94'.  Warren G came out the same way, but I trusted it, and it ended up being a classic.

Shit.. Same with 7 Day Theory.  I'm expecting Daz, Johnny J, "How Do You Want It" sound—— and suddenly Pac goes into this dark and mysterious mode under Makeveli 7 Day Theory.  But again, I trusted these guys.  They know what the fucc their doing.  Soon, it became my favorite album.

...Then Doggfather comes and it's a string of dissapointments....even Dre couldn't deliver he had like half the album of next level bangers and other half filler for Aftermath Presents...Bad Azz was supposed to be the next big star and he hit us with a banger single and gave us hope but again, too much filler...

Kuruption was part of that.  I was like, okay, he's got a new look, but the single is dope, so he's just taking this shit next level.  He's got new artists like Baby S, and so I'm thinking, "okay, Kurupt is a label owner now like Suge and Dre, Kurupt is doing it big, he's about to go next level!"

Daz RRGB was the exception.  It was like exactly what I was hoping for and expected————but nobody cared and the album didn't even go gold.  I also thought Warren's second album Take A Look Over Your Shoulder met my expectations——but failed to do the numbers (though it did go gold)

[HighEyeCue]

In real time I don’t know which album I was more disappointed in, Kuruption! Or Doggfather…probably Doggfather because that came out a few years before and Doggystyle was such a perfect album…I remember when I first heard Snoops Upside Ya Head and said to myself this bangs but something is missing… I think Dre said something similar in a Vibe article around the time it came out… then hearing the album I kind of felt the same way like some of these songs are dope but not next level dope…my 3 favorite songs from the album at that time were all collabs, Gold Rush, Downtown Assasins and Blueberry which might have been my favorite and Snoop is barely even on it…it’s grown on me after all this time however I will never forget the disappointment an almost 15 year old from Queens had at 1st listen

[TraceOneInfinite]

In real time I don’t know which album I was more disappointed in, Kuruption! Or Doggfather…probably Doggfather because that came out a few years before and Doggystyle was such a perfect album…I remember when I first heard Snoops Upside Ya Head and said to myself this bangs but something is missing… I think Dre said something similar in a Vibe article around the time it came out… then hearing the album I kind of felt the same way like some of these songs are dope but not next level dope…my 3 favorite songs from the album at that time were all collabs, Gold Rush, Downtown Assasins and Blueberry which might have been my favorite and Snoop is barely even on it…it’s grown on me after all this time however I will never forget the disappointment an almost 15 year old from Queens had at 1st listen

Yep.. that shows how Snoop fell off, because "Gold Rush" and "BlueBerry" were for the LBC Crew album and being Top Dog Snoop got to take their shit and pretend like it was his own.  But imagine Doggfather without those two joints?  Now Snoop, would've really been in trouble.  I'm not totally dissing Snoop, because even the 1997-98 Snoop was still my favorite rapper and I'd waste 20 bucks on a CD at Sam Goody just because he had a guest feature in those days.  So he was still dope—but it wasn't Doggystyle.

So Doggfather was the most disappointed I ever was buying music.  Guess what my second because disappointment was?  THE GAME IS TO BE SOLD!   The scene of it was dope as hell it was when they first started having midnight sales and I waited in a long line at BlockBusterMusic to buy it around July 4th Monday Night.  Master P always put a hype track up front, so things started off okay... but that same feeling of depression came over me as I got towards track 20 just like Doggfather two years before that.  I was so depressed I remember I picked up some sketchy looking hitchhiker in the hood, and gave him a ride all the way across the city because I felt if the dude jacked me and my car I didn't even care about life anymore, lol

Kuruption! had enough fresh material to keep me from just feeling like I wanted to just drive my car off a bridge.  That shit bumped pretty hard and I rolled around with it for months.  I didn't have disappointment anywhere near the Snoop albums.  Snoop was my hero as a kid.  He fell in line with Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, your hero is always supposed to come through for you when you need him most.    It's like that classic 90's Nike Commercial, "Why We Believe in Heros" that had Montana throwing the Dwight Clark touchdown and Jordan hitting the jumper against Cleveland where he hung in the air for what seemed like forever.

So I had Snoop on that level like Hogan, Stallone, Jordan, Joe Montana.  He saved my life when my x-girlfriend made out with my best friend right in front of me at the first ever real "party" I ever went to in 6th grade.  I thought my life was over, and then heard "Ain't No Fun" and it healed me.  I never put Kurupt on such a pedestal, so that's why I didn't have to commit suicide when Kuruption underwhelmed.   I did look up to Kurupt and tried to copy how he walks and moves, and sits, and stands, and dresses, and so on... but he's not an alpha-male.  Snoop was the top dog and Kurupt was the little homie running alongside in "Who Am I".

[HighEyeCue]

Yep.. that shows how Snoop fell off, because "Gold Rush" and "BlueBerry" were for the LBC Crew album and being Top Dog Snoop got to take their shit and pretend like it was his own.  But imagine Doggfather without those two joints?  Now Snoop, would've really been in trouble.  I'm not totally dissing Snoop, because even the 1997-98 Snoop was still my favorite rapper and I'd waste 20 bucks on a CD at Sam Goody just because he had a guest feature in those days.  So he was still dope—but it wasn't Doggystyle.

So Doggfather was the most disappointed I ever was buying music.  Guess what my second because disappointment was?  THE GAME IS TO BE SOLD!   The scene of it was dope as hell it was when they first started having midnight sales and I waited in a long line at BlockBusterMusic to buy it around July 4th Monday Night.  Master P always put a hype track up front, so things started off okay... but that same feeling of depression came over me as I got towards track 20 just like Doggfather two years before that.  I was so depressed I remember I picked up some sketchy looking hitchhiker in the hood, and gave him a ride all the way across the city because I felt if the dude jacked me and my car I didn't even care about life anymore, lol

Kuruption! had enough fresh material to keep me from just feeling like I wanted to just drive my car off a bridge.  That shit bumped pretty hard and I rolled around with it for months.  I didn't have disappointment anywhere near the Snoop albums.  Snoop was my hero as a kid.  He fell in line with Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, your hero is always supposed to come through for you when you need him most.    It's like that classic 90's Nike Commercial, "Why We Believe in Heros" that had Montana throwing the Dwight Clark touchdown and Jordan hitting the jumper against Cleveland where he hung in the air for what seemed like forever.

So I had Snoop on that level like Hogan, Stallone, Jordan, Joe Montana.  He saved my life when my x-girlfriend made out with my best friend right in front of me at the first ever real "party" I ever went to in 6th grade.  I thought my life was over, and then heard "Ain't No Fun" and it healed me.  I never put Kurupt on such a pedestal, so that's why I didn't have to commit suicide when Kuruption underwhelmed.   I did look up to Kurupt and tried to copy how he walks and moves, and sits, and stands, and dresses, and so on... but he's not an alpha-male.  Snoop was the top dog and Kurupt was the little homie running alongside in "Who Am I".

yeah Kurupt was always my favorite artist so I took it a little harder but Snoop was almost right there with him in my eyes and the disappointment was greater

in between both those releases Daz released his classic so there was at least some solace in '98

[gfunk2024]

In real time, I was definitely more disappointed in Doggfather, but that is also because I was a way bigger snoop fan than kurupt.

Snoop came with a totally different style on doggfather. Way more different than kurupt switched it up. Also, Doggystyle was the most amazing album ever.

Years later though, I appreciate Doggfather for what it is. Can't say the same about Kuruption.

[HighEyeCue]

yeah no matter how you feel about the album Kurupt had a couple of all time classic tracks on it, "We Can Freak It" and "C-Walk"...Snoop had a compilation of pretty dope songs but I can't say he had any classics...it also hurt Snoop that the OG track list was much better and had songs that were left off for one reason or another

[TraceOneInfinite]

yeah no matter how you feel about the album Kurupt had a couple of all time classic tracks on it, "We Can Freak It" and "C-Walk"...Snoop had a compilation of pretty dope songs but I can't say he had any classics...it also hurt Snoop that the OG track list was much better and had songs that were left off for one reason or another

Yeah homie… let’s just forget everything else for a moment and let’s just talk lead singles.  “We Can Freak It” was superior to “Snoop’s Upside Ya Head”.   In fact, let’s talk lead singles a moment..

I remember “We Can Freak It” shooting to #1 on the one rap program they used to play late at night on radio it had to have been a national program (probably from New York) because there is no way Kansas City could’ve produced a program this dope they used to have mixes and scratches and would throw in a few ol school joints, and then they’d finish with some top 5 rap songs in the country and I remember “We Can Freak It” having a solid hold on #1.

It’s bullshit that MTV didn’t blow it up.  What was that all about?  I almost wanna say there could’ve been some conspiracy going on against Suge related artists and Jimmy Iovine had to step in for Dre and Snoop to get big again once Eminem kickstarted the resurgence.

Because I’m still mad that MTV didn’t show any love to sure shot singles like “We Can Freak It” and Daz “In California”.  There is no way that you can tell me those two singles/videos did not deserve play on the channel against what they were playing at the time.  At least BET showed love to “We Can Freak it”, because Daz “In California” barely even got BET play.  What the fuccs up with that?   They let Xzibit’s “What U C” go #1 on the channel so they obviously had West Coast headz at the station that knew real West Coast hiphop but just straight up no love for Daz

[Soopafly DPGC]

The disappointment was real.  I fuccin trusted these guys, dammit.  That they knew what was best for me as a hip-hop head.  When "Big Pimpin" came out the sound was much more light-hearted than Doggystyle, but dammit, I trusted these guys.  So I just kept jamming away to it, and soon, it became my favorite jam of summer 94'.  Warren G came out the same way, but I trusted it, and it ended up being a classic.

Shit.. Same with 7 Day Theory.  I'm expecting Daz, Johnny J, "How Do You Want It" sound—— and suddenly Pac goes into this dark and mysterious mode under Makeveli 7 Day Theory.  But again, I trusted these guys.  They know what the fucc their doing.  Soon, it became my favorite album.

...Then Doggfather comes and it's a string of dissapointments....even Dre couldn't deliver he had like half the album of next level bangers and other half filler for Aftermath Presents...Bad Azz was supposed to be the next big star and he hit us with a banger single and gave us hope but again, too much filler...

Kuruption was part of that.  I was like, okay, he's got a new look, but the single is dope, so he's just taking this shit next level.  He's got new artists like Baby S, and so I'm thinking, "okay, Kurupt is a label owner now like Suge and Dre, Kurupt is doing it big, he's about to go next level!"

Daz RRGB was the exception.  It was like exactly what I was hoping for and expected————but nobody cared and the album didn't even go gold.  I also thought Warren's second album Take A Look Over Your Shoulder met my expectations——but failed to do the numbers (though it did go gold)

Yeah honestly if you think about it, Daz's album was the only Death Row release after Pac's death that actually lived up to expectations.  Other than the Pac releases and soundtrack releases which were carried by the unreleased Pac stuff.  Rage wasn't what was expected, Doggfather, was a letdown, Michelle was what it was low expectations, LBC Crew, Sam Sneed, Nate Dogg, OFTB, etc never got released.  Daz's album got me pumped listening to it and actually thought Death Row might have a chance to continue on with Daz becoming the main producer and Tha Outlawz and LBC Crew continuing on the label. 

[Duck Duck Doggy]

I haven’t listened to Kuruption in a minute I remember liking a handful of tracks but being underwhelmed overall. Especially since I thought the cover was dope af and We Can Freak it was classic

I think I’m gonna roll one up and revisit this

[Duck Duck Doggy]

How has no one mentioned “Play My Cards” it has that vintage battlecat sound

[Duck Duck Doggy]

The east disc is still pretty forgettable. Definitely should have been 1 disc

[Sccit]

The east disc is still pretty forgettable. Definitely should have been 1 disc

yup

but west coast disc is underrated

a handful of gems on that one

[Duck Duck Doggy]

Another day is another Kurupt battlecat gem

[TraceOneInfinite]

How has no one mentioned “Play My Cards” it has that vintage battlecat sound

Yes "Another Day" definitely deserves mention (though it was sloppily thrown onto the album last minute) and as for "Play My Cards" -- I will tell you how no one mentioned.. and it certainly has nothing to do with Battlecat's stellar work on the track... and it has everything to do with this...


I got scams for hundreds of grams
Me and my man, me and my pistol, a plan
For about a
Whole ki load of some powder
Stashin, dippin, dashin, smashin, tryin to cash in
From the front to the back, and packin
Pull the strap and start clappin
I'm about to move a little somethin
A little sumptin-sumpin
For the homie, pack the pump and get to dumpin
Hit the liquor store, I wanna get paid
A fifth of Hen, then back to the shade
What you got, smoke, loc, let's blaze up
Let me get a toke, loc, and let's raise up
Punks stop and get popped when funk pop
I'm worldwide while you thinkin: either he is or he's not
International like Corey I
You can feel me
In the real way

"International like Corey and I" who the hell is Corey?   That line is so wack.  I think net keyboard gangstaz in a the keystyle section could've written shit like this back in 01' and 02' when keystylin was the big thing at the forum.. and just so you remember who Kurupt really is, for comparison let's put it up side by side with this...

Now, I’m a bonafide microphone technician wit' styles
I came to storm on these MC's like electrical clouds
Hear me now — a Born Killer like Mick n' Mall'
Down to trip and empty clips, and permanently exile
The oppositions, competition — discrete and dismantled
Light ‘em up like candlesticks wit' the instinct of a vandal
Vandalize, how I reprimand MC's to freeze
Movin' guarantees the temperature's decreased degrees
Frozen stiff, 'cause what I’m holdin’ lifts the soul
This mental automatic weapon keeps me in control
Never fold, I scald like water in order to let these MC's know I slaughter
So time's gettin' shorter
It sorta limits ya, but to me, the sky’s the limit
Ya know I diminish ya to dust, TEC's sinister
Bust one rhyme that’s like a voodoo hex
Connect complex styles wit' my vast high-tech flex
'Cause when there’s an MC like me who’s in there like swimwear
Don’t despite me, 'cause all the hoes like me, mashin’ in Nikes
I done seen niggas on TV, dissin' to get deals
Now, I got one question, nigga — how does it feel?
Check ya game, but I ain't even sayin' no names
Proclaimed lyricist dissin’ this for fortune and fame
Did I do somethin' to ya? Did we serve ya hoes?
'Cause your on TV rappin’ like ya knew me and know me
But you don’t really know me
Dat muthafuckin' nigga from Tha D-P-G! Tha K-U-R-U-P-T!
I’m too smooth (Muthafucka)

And yet Kurupt went on a facebook rant last week because people complained about the Kuruption! album, I think it's pretty clear he needs to take a bit of responsibility

[HighEyeCue]

Yes "Another Day" definitely deserves mention (though it was sloppily thrown onto the album last minute) and as for "Play My Cards" -- I will tell you how no one mentioned.. and it certainly has nothing to do with Battlecat's stellar work on the track... and it has everything to do with this...


I got scams for hundreds of grams
Me and my man, me and my pistol, a plan
For about a
Whole ki load of some powder
Stashin, dippin, dashin, smashin, tryin to cash in
From the front to the back, and packin
Pull the strap and start clappin
I'm about to move a little somethin
A little sumptin-sumpin
For the homie, pack the pump and get to dumpin
Hit the liquor store, I wanna get paid
A fifth of Hen, then back to the shade
What you got, smoke, loc, let's blaze up
Let me get a toke, loc, and let's raise up
Punks stop and get popped when funk pop
I'm worldwide while you thinkin: either he is or he's not
International like Corey I
You can feel me
In the real way

"International like Corey and I" who the hell is Corey?   That line is so wack.  I think net keyboard gangstaz in a the keystyle section could've written shit like this back in 01' and 02' when keystylin was the big thing at the forum.. and just so you remember who Kurupt really is, for comparison let's put it up side by side with this...

Now, I’m a bonafide microphone technician wit' styles
I came to storm on these MC's like electrical clouds
Hear me now — a Born Killer like Mick n' Mall'
Down to trip and empty clips, and permanently exile
The oppositions, competition — discrete and dismantled
Light ‘em up like candlesticks wit' the instinct of a vandal
Vandalize, how I reprimand MC's to freeze
Movin' guarantees the temperature's decreased degrees
Frozen stiff, 'cause what I’m holdin’ lifts the soul
This mental automatic weapon keeps me in control
Never fold, I scald like water in order to let these MC's know I slaughter
So time's gettin' shorter
It sorta limits ya, but to me, the sky’s the limit
Ya know I diminish ya to dust, TEC's sinister
Bust one rhyme that’s like a voodoo hex
Connect complex styles wit' my vast high-tech flex
'Cause when there’s an MC like me who’s in there like swimwear
Don’t despite me, 'cause all the hoes like me, mashin’ in Nikes
I done seen niggas on TV, dissin' to get deals
Now, I got one question, nigga — how does it feel?
Check ya game, but I ain't even sayin' no names
Proclaimed lyricist dissin’ this for fortune and fame
Did I do somethin' to ya? Did we serve ya hoes?
'Cause your on TV rappin’ like ya knew me and know me
But you don’t really know me
Dat muthafuckin' nigga from Tha D-P-G! Tha K-U-R-U-P-T!
I’m too smooth (Muthafucka)

And yet Kurupt went on a facebook rant last week because people complained about the Kuruption! album, I think it's pretty clear he needs to take a bit of responsibility

Kurupt freestyling again...sometimes it came out dope but sometimes it came out like that

that Battlecat beat was crazy however...really all 4 of the ones he did

yup

but west coast disc is underrated

a handful of gems on that one

Ive been listening to it a lot lately...really if Kurupt was in top form or at least in Streetz form we would be talking about a classic West Coast disc