Long Beach, CA emcee and producer Daz Dillinger and Philadelphia, PA emcee Kurupt (collectively known as Tha Dogg Pound) return to Death Row Records to record their ninth LP. I really shouldn’t say too much about their 1995 debut full-length album, Dogg Food, as it’s widely regarded as one of the last great albums Death Row released, but their comeback effort a few years ago, DPG 4 Life” easily suffers from cheesy pop-rap tunes, and they’re at their worst. Despite this, I am convinced that WAWG (We All We Got) must be the true return of this duo.
After the intro, the first song “Smoke Up” featuring Snoop Dogg, produced by Rick Rock, was a banging g-funk opener that got all the West Coasters pumping, while the title track was sung by Tha Eastsidaz then brings the two bands together and for the first time it’s time to talk about only each other. “Imma Dogg” takes the g-funk route again, thanks to DJ Battlecat reminding himself that they’re leading the Doggs into “Need Some Space,” talking about needing their space amidst somber Mike & Keys instrumentals.
“Favorite Color Blue” is a playful club song dedicated to their roots as the Crips, while “Inside of Her” picks up from there with a cool pop-rap jam. Snoop Dogg’s “House Party” takes some inspiration from Zapp about going to the club, but then DaBaby and Snoop Dogg’s “After Hours” delivers passionate They’re hungry for it all, although my only complaint about it is that DaBaby is in the beginning.
While “LA Kind of Love” is a West Coast ballad, the electronic influences feel dated, while Snoop Dogg’s “Grown Up” goes in a subtle trap direction, talking about every Everyone wants to grow up. Soopafly makes time for their pairing, with “The Weekend” bringing back the g-funk influence, while Snoop Dogg’s “Always on My Mind” energetically refuses to give up. “Who’s Hardest?” The song written by N’Matez and Snoop Dogg ends the album with a DJ Premier instrumental that showcases their prowess.
Dogg Pound really can’t figure out WAWG (We All We Got) like they did on DPG 4 Life a few years ago, especially since this is their first album of newly recorded material released via Death Row in almost 3 years, thankfully Yes, Snoop helps Daz & Kurupt deliver the best product in a while. They returned to their roots stylistically, showed their growth in the game, and only had each other at the end of the day.
Score: 8/10
