Paid Tha Cost To Be Da Boss [PA]

Performer: Snoop Dogg
Artist: Jay-Z; Nate Dogg; Pharrell; Redman; The Lady Of Rage; Ludacris; Uncle Charlie Wilson; Warren G; The Dramatics; Latoiya Williams; Soopafly; Lil' Half Dead; Mr. Kane; Traci Nelson; Goldie Loc; E-White; RBX
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, Latoiya Williams, Jay-Z, Soopafly, Nate Dogg, The Dramatics, Lil' Half Dead, Uncle Charlie Wilson, Mr. Kane, Traci Nelson, Goldie Loc, E-White, Redman, Warren G, Lady Of Rage, Ludacris, RBX. Producers include: E-Swift, Jelly Roll, The Neptunes, Just Blaze, LT Hutton. "Beautiful" was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and for Best Rap Song. On PAID THA COST, Snoop Dogg delivers plenty of the kind of visceral, sensuous, West Coast G-Funk that we've come to love him for. The most blatant example is "Stoplight," which samples and nods to P-Funk's ubiquitous "Flashlight," but somehow ends up sounding more like vintage Rick James gone hip-hop. Though his vintage beats and loopy sense of humor complement that sound perfectly, he doesn't leave things at that. The honey-sweet vocals of LaToiya Williams lend a melodic, slow-jam R&B flavor to the mellow "I Believe in You." A love song from Snoop? Believe it. "Ballin'" features the old-school vocal-harmony soul that's always been close to Snoop's heart, courtesy of the Dramatics. "From tha Chuuuch to Da Palace" ups the humor ante by including a lascivious adaptation of "Buffalo Gals." What's curious is that the already laid-back Snoop often seems to retreat from the spotlight on this album, letting the production and special touches occupy the forefront. Perhaps it's just that he's already proven himself so thoroughly that he's ready to go where no rapper has gone before--egolessness.

Rolling Stone (1/23/03, p.67) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Snoop stretches his silky flow over tracks by underground ace Hi-Tek and the unstoppable Neptunes..." Spin (2/03, p.100) - 8 out of 10 - "...The most spirited pop record of his career....PAID THA COST is Snoop unleashed..." Entertainment Weekly (12/13/02, p.82) - "...Snoop is reborn, a gangsta rap granddaddy in recline..." - Rating: A- Uncut (01/03, p.128) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...He treads a line between loving monogamy and club bangers, emphasizing accessibility throughout..." Vibe (1/03, pp.125-6) - 3.5 out of 5 - "...His wordplay is still as nimble and quick as ever, giving the beats a beat down with newfound urgency..."

Snoop Doggy Dogg ensured his place in rap history by providing the perfect vocal complement to Dr. Dre's mellow, ominous, West Coast G-funk sound. His distinctively lazy singsong and soft-spoken drawl was first heard on Dre's title cut from the DEEP COVER soundtrack in 1991. Snoop's appearances on Dre's solo album THE CHRONIC shortly thereafter propelled him to almost overnight stardom, and his albums DOGGYSTYLE and the DOGGFATHER both hit the top of the charts. Despite a much-publicized murder trial, and a falling out with Death Row Record's CEO Suge Knight, Snoop Dogg ascended to the highest echelon of rap royalty, and through shrewd marketing, brilliant collaborations, and his smooth pimp persona, he has kept his crown well into the 21st century.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25