:: 213 - The Hard Way

213

No surprises here, as Warren G himself declares on ‘Keep It Gangsta’, “I’m a nigger from the motherf**kin' street” and that’s the permeation throughout the “The Hard Way”. 213 is ‘the super group of hip hop icons’ - Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G. As is to be expected by an album with this much cash behind it, the production (Kayne West, Hi Tek, Battlecat) is schmicko and, sonically, everything slots in exactly where it should be, present and accounted for. Lyrically, tracks like ‘MLK/Take a Ride’ sees our three heroes trace their various experiences thirsting for and pursuing money and success. Some of the other themes are a little off kilter, ‘Mary Jane G Mix’ is a love song to Marijuana and there’s a bit of family reunion championing on ‘Another Summer’. But the majority is exactly what you would expect from these boys. First single ‘Groupie Love’ says it all really but don’t get me wrong, it’s a style that’s worked in the past and will continue to do so in the future and, in as much as it is what it is, it’s good.