Snoop Dogg's Ego Trippin is one of the best albums I've purchased in the last two years. I've been a Snoop Dogg fan since he hit the scene with Dre on Deep Cover in the early 90's. I've bought every album he's made and now I'm 35 and recognize the parallels of where Snoop is in his life as a father, husband and a creative entity.
His latest entry Ego Trippin is signature Snoop and a classic album. As the self proclaimed "Boss", Snoop recognizes his past and revels in his achievement taking an album to create with wreckless abandon. See you can ego trip when you are on top of your game and expect a degree of leniency because after all it's just an ego trip.
Track No. 5 "Never Have 2 Worry" walks through his entire career in 4:18 seconds with the cool narrative and velvet flow that makes it Snoop. Track No. 6 "Sexual Eruption" or "Sensual Seduction - Radio Edit" is a great retro funk appeal that reminds us that T-Pain ain't the originator of the synthesized voice (RIP Roger Troutman) and holds no monopoly on the style. More over it's a true player's anthem for the ages.
Snoop has a long tradition of reserving one track on his album to remake a historic hip-hop or R&B song (Biz Markie's Vapors-Tha Doggfather). On Ego Trippin his choice of remakes is perfect with his new twist on Morris Day & The Time's Cool on Track No. 9. Only Snoop's swagger and old soul could do a great song like this any justice and overall it just works.
Keeping it true Snoop has some killer gangsta cuts that are a quick reminder of his legacy and true O.G. status. "Sets Up" (Track No. 10) is a tribute to Snoop's Crip origin callin' all to throw ya sets up and claim your hood. So Trill. My favorite track on the album is "Staxx In My Jeans" (Track No. 13), with the catchy screwed, chopped and looped "My pockets look like Re-Run your pockets look like Rog" that is just a classic hood banger.
Snoop also gets his Grown Man on as well with the album and puts that pimp type touch on the feel. With production from Teddy Riley and mixed by production prodigy Quik (formerly DJ Quik) the album has a rich and polished sound that has a sonic fullness that is lacking on recent hip-hop projects. "Been Around the World" (Track 14) and "Can't Say Goodbye" (Track 21) show the mature reflections of a father and husband that is anchored in is love for the hood but a focus on family first.
Much like Snoop I came from a tough neighborhood (although in Kansas City, Kansas) that shaped my life in ways that I would have never imagined. To this day there is an electricity that I feel when I get back to the hood that is filled with nostalgia and memories of my journey this far. At the same time, I respect the blessings of my growth that have led to having a wonderful wife, three beautiful sons and a growing entrepreneurial business. Snoop's album dialogues his journey and projects a true peace for where he is in his career. Growing but still able to do what he wants with an entire album, ego trippin' but delivering a quality project with street appeal and a highly marketable project.
I'm not a fan of daytime television and was pleased to see Snoop last week on ABC's The View with Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg and The View panelists. He thrilled the audience of mainly middle aged white moms with a performance of "Sensual Seduction". Best of all he had Tha Dogg Pound members Kurupt and Daz, producer Soopa Fly and DJ Battlecat suited and booted in ties and all clean as can be. At the end I saw members of the audience mouthing "I love you Snoop". Now that was big. But also what happens when you have consistently delivered quality work like Snoop.
As it gets warm again and the smell of Barbecue is in the air and I make it to the Car Wash a bit more we have another Summer Classic on our hands with Ego Trippin'. Thank you Uncle Snoop.
For more information visit Snoop's official site at http://www.snoopdogg.com/.
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