Bow Wow - Doggy Bag album review
The Doggy Bag album was released in 2001 on the labels of So So Def Recordings and Columbia Records during the peak of Lil Bow Wow’s career as a rapper. In 2001, Lil Bow Wow released a follow-up album after the triple platinum success of his debut album Beware of Dog in 2000. At that time, Bow Wow was a household name for preteens across the United States and Canada. He was considered a platinum rapper guaranteed for success. You couldn’t go anywhere in the country without hearing music being played.
Many fans, stans, and heads alike purchased the Doggy Bag album and thought it would be even better than the last album. Doggy Bag didn’t pan well with the music critics as much as his debut album Beware of Dog from 2000 did despite being heavily promoted by So So Def and Columbia/Sony. A handful of music critics such as AllMusic and NME critiqued the album for songwriting claiming that a change in songwriting and a change of songwriters is what led the album to be mediocre. The songwriters were Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox as they were on the debut album Beware of Dog, however The R.O.C. was not included for songwriting this time.
Production wise the album was wonderful. You had hot in-house producers of the time on this album such as Jermaine Dupri, The Neptunes, Chad Hugo, Bryan-Michael Cox, and George Clinton. With in-house producers such as Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, and The Neptunes, you couldn’t go wrong.
Doggy Bag is another platinum album gone wrong by Lil Bow Wow as a sellout. The only good songs were We Want Weezy (Intro), Thank You, Take Ya Home, Get Up, and All I Know. Only half of the album was enjoyable. We Want Weezy (Intro), Thank You, Take Ya Home and Get Up were the standout tracks. This is my least favorite Bow Wow album. If you enjoy pop rap, Doggy Bag would be a lot of fun for you!
As for the interludes, there were too many. 3 interludes is way too much for one album. Only 1 or 2 interludes are necessary for an album and not a whole bunch. Not 3 interludes with the way I think on my stance about interludes. I believe that interludes are a waste of space and time on an album. I'm not a fan of interludes. That's why I don't review them much at all.
We Want Weezy (Intro) is Bow Wow’s cover version of Eazy-E - We Want Eazy. This album has that live concert sound with a more updated sound for 2001. Bow Wow did a wonderful performance of covering Eazy-E’s song. People from everywhere gathered around and came to check out the sound that So So Def was throwin' down as they kept it crunk like this every day.
Thank You is a genuine heartfelt dedication to his fans. This song is specifically dedicated to his fans. I like how he thanked his fans in a song and not just in writing for liner notes. From signing autographs to giving daps to all of folks, he’ll be there. Just like that. Jagged Edge did a wonderful job on singing while harmonizing the chorus. Having Jagged Edge and Fundisha sing on the chorus was a wonderful idea.
The Neptunes produced the heavy beat bangin’ song Take Ya Home. It was one his hottest fierce singles of 2001 next to Thank You. Lil Bow Wow reached super-stardom in the teen market with this song as it appeared on many soundtracks for different movies. His pockets were filling up with cash after selling out shows on the Scream Tour with headliner acts such as B2K and Lil Zane.
On the Get Up song, Bow Wow blames himself in a cocky manner for his own looks. People get happy when they hear his music. They know all the lyrics to every song.
All I Know interpolates New Edition's Candy Girl song from 1986. All I Know is a short but sweet tongue in cheek type of song. I'm not sure how Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri got talked into making this song but it should have been a single but probably wasn't due to sample clearance issues. Go figure.
Crazy is not too hyphy however. The songwriters were Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox as they were on the debut album Beware of Dog back in 2000. Chad Hugo of the Neptunes too lent a hand in production and studio time for this album.
2/5**
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Bow Wow - Beware of Dog album review
Beware of Dog is another platinum album gone right by Lil Bow Wow as a sellout. The album incorporates pop rap with aggressive gangsta rap. Pop meets rap on the album. Production wise the album was wonderful. You had hot in-house producers of the time on this album such as Jermaine Dupri, George Clinton, and Bryan-Michael Cox. With in-house producers such as Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, you couldn’t go wrong. The album reached #8 on the Billboard 200 on October 14, 2000 and reached #1 on the US Hot Rap chart in 2001 making his debut album a platinum success.
Beware of Dog was heavily promoted by So So Def and Columbia/Sony when it was released in 2000 leading it to become a triple platinum success! The album was promoted in commercials that aired on television with channels such as BET, VH1, and MTV. At that time, Bow Wow was a household name for preteens across the United States and Canada. (And eventually the world.) He was considered a platinum rapper guaranteed for success. You couldn’t go anywhere in the country without hearing music being played.
Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox were in charge of the songwriting by choosing different songwriters such as Da Brat, Rahman Griffin, and Jagged Edge. Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox were the main songwriters.
AllMusic, NME, and HipHopDX, critiqued the album for songwriting and gave it praise for its pop sound. Conservative music critic Robert Christgau graded the album as a "dud” by criticizing the songwriting. That is obviously nonsense to call the album a dud as it was platinum success.
The lead single Bounce with Me was a platinum jam. The song was used in the Martin Lawrence film “Big Momma's House’’ and released as a single around the same time the film was being played back in 2000. Coincidentally Bounce With Me is a feel good song that is considered a summer anthem.
Jermaine Dupri of So So Def experimented with the sound of New Orleans bounce on This Playboy. If you pay attention to the tempo, you will notice its upbeat nature. It’s not your average mid tempo song. The horns blaring give the song a provocative nature.
Bow Wow (That's My Name) is song that incorporates pop into gangsta rap by featuring Snoop Dogg. His lyrics and style of rapping are aggressive with a gritty street sound. Snoop Dogg's verse are what made the song gangsta. To set the record straight, all versions of this song have profanities censored, including the second half of "motherfucker" in Snoop's verse, leading listeners to only hear "woof mother...the Dogg came to play".
5/5*****!!
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Bow Wow - Unleashed album review
Bow Wow’s album from 2003 called Unleashed is an album of his that got overlooked by the public and music fans. Many Bow Wow fans, stans, and heads slept on this album. The album had the best sound and production. Many famous rappers and singers such as Baby, Amerie, Mario, and Jagged Edge were featured on this album. This Bow Wow album had a new sound with different subject matter and lyrical content that showcased his maturity. He was 16 when this album was released.
Production wise the album was wonderful. The album had the best sound and production that included contributions hot in-house producers of the time such as Jermaine Dupri, The Neptunes, T.I., Chad Hugo, Bryan-Michael Cox, Jazze Pha, Bink!, Lil Jon, and Birdman.With those in-house producers you couldn’t go wrong.
However the album only went gold in the United States selling 770,000 units. This was the only album by Bow Wow that went only gold. It did not reach the same platinum success as his sophomore album Doggy Bag did in 2001.
If Bow Wow had not dropped the “Lil” from his name completely and had Jermaine Dupri been hand-ons in terms of production by producing this album, then Unleashed would have been another platinum album gone right. He had hot in-house producers of the time on this album, but having hot in-house producers does not always guarantee you success as your previous albums.
Jermaine Dupri has been the largest contributor to Bow Wow's success and by him not being on the album is what led Unleashed to underperform.
Now for those who did not know, this was Bow Wow’s first album without hands-on management or production from Jermaine Dupri. Jermaine Dupri did not produce this Bow Wow album. The reason why is because Bow and Jermaine Dupri had disagreements in musical direction how they both wanted the album to sound. That is why the So So Def Recordings logo does not appear on this album. The public and fans are often under the impression that because the R&B quintet Jagged Edge was featured on Unleashed that Jermaine Dupri would have produced the album. Which is understandable as Jagged Edge was label mates with Bow Wow and this R&B quintet does have that So So Def sound.
T.I. was instrumental in songwriting for this Bow Wow album. T.I. wrote 30% of this album for Bow Wow along with a couple of verses on Let’s Get Down and Follow Me.
Let’s Get Down was the street anthem of 2003 that you would hear at carwashes or on the radio. The song featured hot poignant production by Baby aka Birdman of Cash Money Records and Jazze Pha. He offered assistance and was hands-on in producing Let’s Get Down. The production was perfect for the song at the time it hit radio waves. T.I. wrote a couple of verses for Bow Wow on Let’s Get Down.
Let’s Get Down is about all the women Bow Wow knows, their personalities, dating, and how well he knows about them. Bow Wow flirts with them during conversations.
Here are some examples of how well Bow Wow knows his women and personalities. Read the paragraphs below.
He knows this woman named Nicole. Nicole has expensive taste in clothing considered to be bourgeoisie. Burberry and Prada was her style. The conversation is amazing. He thinks to himself this is the one woman that he wants to date or be around.
Bow Wow knows this girl named Cindi. She loves to rock Fendi. The stores are all empty when she leaves the mall. She is an uptown chick similar to the West End Girls of London and Dover from Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls.
Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes produced The Don, The Dutch. The Neptunes production duo was responsible for arrangements and creation for the instrumental to this song. Pharrell Williams did a wonderful job in choosing the drum selection to fit in the rhythm.
Bow Wow discusses how he is accepted by several different communities both international and worldwide.
Bow Wow is a dope MC who is down by law. That's how he rides. He was born to perform and get money. Everywhere he goes there’s so many chicks all over the globe.
Bow Wow raps and Mario sings on the song I’ll Move On. Mario sings and harmonizes the chorus with his not too flat voice. Chad Hugo of The Neptunes produced the song.
The song I’ll Move On is about maturity and progression. It’s about doing what’s right because you’re able and learning lessons. There's no turning back to see if anything's wrong. I'll move on. Mario sings and harmonizes this in the hook at the very beginning of I’ll Move On.
[Hook - Mario]
I'll move on
Hearing if I, knowing I like what's on the table
Looking at my life, doing what's right because I'm able
Learning lessons, more protected, feeling great'll
I'll move on
Hearing if I, knowing I like what's on the table
Looking at my life, doing what's right because I'm able
There's no turning back to see if anything's wrong
I'll move on
Verse 1 is where Bow Wow showcases his growth and maturity. The book of life goes on. With a new day comes a new age and a new page.
[Verse 1 - Bow Wow]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Life goes on, as I roll on
I could only be a child for so long
Yeah I wanna see my childhood prolong
But this time Bow Wow say so long
And I step to a new day, new age, and a new page
In a book of life but it's looking like
Ya'll ain't ready for the new phase
Then I'm a get more mature
Make mistakes, but hey, everybody did that before
Ever feel like you've been trapped before?
Wish you can open up a magic door?
Step through it, just do it
The way that you feel it but ya'll confuse it
Ya'll wanna show that keep me secluded
But this is life I'm bound to go through it
It's a process ya'll gotta digest, let the boy grow up
Wanna go out, have a little fun, if it get a little wild, then so what
There's a ounce of experience, that's more than a pint of advice
I hope ya'll hearing this, cause I'm serious
And it's like, I'm so curious about life
I'm movin on
In Verse 2, Bow Wow discusses how he grew in the career of becoming a rapper.
[Verse 2 - Bow Wow]
Grew up so fast in this profession
A flash of concerts and late night sessions
So much dough, he don't know it's a blessing
The way he brag, he gonna last one second
But au contraire, don't stop and stare
If I sell my jewelry and cut my hair
Still be here after ya'll, standing tall
Let’s Get It Poppin is a song that had potential to be chosen as a lead single due to it’s uptempo beats, drum selection, and production sound. Let’s Get It Poppin was hot! Bow Wow and Swizz Beatz were on fire here. It’s a shame Bow Wow did not choose this song to be a lead single.
5/5*****!!
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903 Playas - Dranked Out album review
903 Playas - Dranked Out was on the Charles Edwards Blu-House Recordings label in CD format in 1998. It was the first 903 Playas album. Allen Edwards served as executive producer. Dranked Out showcases the lyrical talent of 903 Playas. It is one of the many great albums to from East Texas rap next to Lil Tec, Down Low Playas, Lil Za, Lil Twist, Big Zeke, Boonie Loc, USC, DJ DMD, and UGK among.
Now for those who didn’t know, 903 Playas - Dranked Out album was meant to be Mr. Sweet solo album. But due to him being incarcerated at the time, that caused that concept to become a 903 Playas album.
Up In The Club is a perfect for club scene and it’s something to dance to. This is the type of music that is considered to be club music. 903 Playas could have promoted Up In The Club as a lead single to be on the radio, however the posse chose to remain underground. So that never happened.
Dranked Out is about the drug culture itself. Dranked Out showcases the lyrical talent of 903 Playas altogether.
4/5****.
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Earl Sisco - S.O.MMM Presents: No Bridges - EP EP review
Earl Sisco - S.O.MMM Presents: No Bridges - EP (“No Bridges” The EP) is a new digital EP from ex-Flinstoner Earl Sisco which was released online on April 20, 2018. This EP is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Spotify, Amazon Unlimited, etc. The EP features production from Buff Billions, 1000, Sterlyn Reynolds, and more! The EP was mixed by Sterlyn Reynolds at Reynolds RAPP Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Much of this music is considered to be modern R&B/Soul music.
Long 4 You was produced by Buff Billions and mixed by Sterlyn Reynolds at Reynolds RAPP Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. The song is played in formation of a single acoustic guitar and the mood is quite calming. The song itself has a short duration time of 2:49.
The song Long 4 You is about missing a person you loved along with the memories together regardless of reaction. Earl Sisco is reminiscing on all the good times that they’ve had. He is not sad. It’s not a clear 20/20 vision on the outside. He sees that. It’s hard to believe you’re gone. He deals with it by moving on. He can’t take back all the mean things he said in the past.
Boyz 2 Men was produced by 1000 and is the lead single for this EP. Its sound is uniquely futuristic. The song’s subject matter is in regards to progression of boys becoming men.
Keep Your Head up (The People Cafe Version) is a sad drooling downtempo piano song with lyrics. Keep Ya Head up is a cover of 2Pac - Keep Ya Head Up except this version is a piano cover. The song was dedicated to his sister Sha.
Alright (A Paean) is a song of praise and worship. For those who didn’t know a paean is a song of praise and triumph.
B.L.O.O.D. is a rather powerful song about unity. It is an original song written and composed by Earl Sisco.
Earl Sisco intended to make the songs short on this EP. When you think of a song format, they have a verse, a chorus, and then a bridge. The aim was not to include any bridges.
A majority of the songs included this EP are 2 minutes long on average. If you are looking for longevity in terms of duration, then this EP is not for you. The EP could have been much longer. The EP itself is filled with fresh new material.
3/5***
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One Shade - Hot Club Wax EP review
This vinyl called One Shade - Hot Club Wax was one of the many vinyls from the Hot Club Wax series that Rap A Lot released during the 90s. This vinyl was packaged as a promotional EP to radio stations and music critics to promote their The Beginning album that was supposed to be released in February 1996 on a subsidiary label of Rap A Lot Records called Sing A Lot Records. But that album was never released for whatever reason(s). One Shade was a southern soul quintet that was their first group to sign onto the label. Sing A Lot Records was established to branch into the R&B/Soul market. Being that this is 90s R&B/Soul, the EP will be filled sexual innuendos among other explicit themes catered to the adult audiences.
However this Hot Club Wax is considerably rare and impossible to find. Not many people know about the vinyl. Only collectors have this vinyl. This is the most rarest Hot Club Wax vinyls from Rap A Lot. You’re most likely to find this vinyl for sale overseas on a foreign website from Japan for example.
One Shade came out at a time where everyone and their mom had a group or was in a group. It seems as if One Shade got lost in the shuffle of the over saturated R&B/Soul market of the 90s. It was probably bad timing on the label’s part. Sing A Lot was a subsidiary label that was never meant to be due to the oversaturation of R&B/Soul market.
Flava 2 Sava is about savoring the flavor whether it be food or sexual intercourse. Knowing that this is 90s R&B/Soul, the song will be about sexual intercourse. It’s the flavor of the month right here. One Shade supplies us with the flavor to savor. Or in this case Flava 2 Sava.
Freaky 2 U is a perfect song to play at midnight while you have sexual intercourse with your lover. Hence the sexual innuendo in the song title. The acappella is smoothly sung.
The relaxed synths on How Many Lixx are sure funky for a slow jam. Their singing is perfect. The song is a mid tempo slow jam.
I Luv U is a love song dedicated to all the ladies out there with babies. I Luv U is midtempo. One Shade gives nothing but love to all the single ladies out there. The song celebrates the goodness of childbirth.
The acappella on Ooh Girl was perfectly sung to suit the smooth nature of this soul song. The song itself is a slow downtempo soul song. If you enjoy music that is very downtempo, then this song is appropriate for you.
5/5*****!
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One Shade - Freaky 2 U single review
The Freaky 2 U single from soul quintet One Shade was used to promote their The Beginning album that was supposed to be released in February 1996 on a subsidiary label of Rap A Lot Records called Sing A Lot Records. The single was sent to radio stations and music critics.
Freaky 2 U is a perfect song to play at midnight while you have sexual intercourse with your lover. Hence the sexual innuendo in the song title. The acappella is smoothly sung.The relaxed synths on How Many Lixx are sure funky for a slow jam. Their singing is perfect. The song is a mid tempo slow jam.
5/5*****!
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