Snoop Dogg Malice In Wonderland Priority Though Snoop Dogg has become more known as a character and celebrity in recent years, the man still knows how to make dope music. Recreating himself once again, Snoop blends in with just about every beat thrown at him. Although this album features more cameos than Snoop albums of the past, he still remains the star. – Maurice G. Garland A.R. of H2 Hardheadz The IntroducTion of… H2 Ent. Carrying on the legacy of his Bay Area forefathers RBL Posse, A.R. comes with a fresh but familiar sound on his introductory mixtape. Providing street raps with a perspective that offers both reality and celebration, you can tell that A.R. is out to remind people why you fell in love with Bay Area rap to begin with. His choice to use production (provided mostly by Rome aka Slapadelic) that leans more towards mid-90’s funk ala Sam Bostic and Ant Banks immediately sets him apart from his many peers who are struggling to find a musical identity post-Hyphy. If you’re looking for some vintage Bay Area rap with a new school appeal, you can’t lose with this CD. - Maurice G. Garland Young Shaad of H2 Hardheadz Cold Game Official Business/H2 Ent. Falling from the same family tree as A.R., Young Shaad does a good job in blending his Bay Area roots with a national appealing sound. However, the “young” part of his moniker definitely shows at times. While he obviously puts forth effort in each song on this mixtape, his heavy accent and decision to use the same cadence on many of the songs will have the listener struggling to identify him from the average Bay Area rapper. To his credit though, Shaad is able to approach everyday themes with a different angle. Surely not an artist to sleep on, Shaad at least interests you to the point that you’d want to hear what he has to offer next time around. - Maurice G. Garland
Balance & Big Rich Good A$ Money Ayinde Music/Bang Bang III Story Gang
Picking up where their 2007 effort Unda Dogg Kingz left off, Balance and Big Rich continue to show why they’re two of the more universal artists in the Bay Area. While both have unique styles and perspectives, here they’re able to tone down their respective personalities just enough to make sure teamwork is the priority. With all but one track, “I’m Back,” not featuring a cameo, this album actually comes off more like a compilation in disguise. Fortunately the solid performances from allies like Glasses Malone, Allen Anthony, Messy Marv, The Jacka, Clyde Carson, Yukmouth, Freeway and Jay Rock make this a good problem to have. - Maurice G. Garland 40 Glocc Concrete Jungle Zoo Life Ent.
Mostly known for checking your favorite rapper’s gangsta whenever they set foot in Los Angeles, 40 Glocc has finally decided to prove that he is actually a rapper, and a pretty decent one at that. He holds his own on “Another Angel Dies” with Ras Kass and shows traces of vulnerability on “Hell On Earth,” where he ponders some of the decisions he’s made in his volatile past and questions if there’s a spot in heaven for him. Backed by adequate production that gives him and his Zoo Life cronies enough space to get their point across, 40 Glocc proves that he can actually make some good music when he’s not busy terrorizing other rappers. - Maurice G. Garland Roccett & DJ Drama Free Agent After departing CTE, Roccett recruited DJ Drama to announce his independence. Roccett stays true to form when it comes to punch lines, metaphors, and tales of West Coast living on songs like “City I Love,” “How We Roll,” and “Bang That.” However, there’s an appreciated upgrade on some of his hooks (“I Do That” ft. Bobby Valentino and “I Don’t Think So” ft. Primo). Other than awkward female-oriented records like “All a Woman Needs,” this may be Roccett’s best work, or pretty close. Being on the free agent list has obviously upped Young Roccett’s stats. - Ms. Rivercity