When it comes to mapping out the music that you'll ride to during the summer, your deck should be filled with a hearty helping of West Coast gems. West Coast artists have proven time and time again that they make music with the sun and open highways in mind. Though Dubb Union's self-titled debut album bows out at the end of the season, they give you just what you need to make the transition from summer to fall. And since it almost never rains in Southern California, the dark production on "Welcome To The Majors" sets the tone for those 5 p.m. nights that lie ahead.
Going back to the days when hip-hop was the CNN of the hood, the informational track "Sign Language" sets the rules of engagement for beef in the hood and warns busters not to bring that modern-day hip-hop finger play out West. "Struggle," on the other hand, encourages listeners to maintain their paper chase, despite the challenging circumstances they may face. "We Both Know," serves as a tutorial of how to end a relationship, the gangsta way. It's the type of song you listen to before making a phone call to break things off. It will keep you thinking with your mind, rather than your heart.
Snoop deserves props for not overshadowing the Union by dominating all the album's tracks. Dubb Union's distinctive West Coast funk, sprinkled with a touch of DPG is just enough to give the album a classic touch. Dubb Union bridges the gap between the old and new players on the L.A. music scene. West Coast veteran Soopafly gives Damani and Bad Lucc a lane all their own to represent the new era, while he stays true to the sound that put L.A. on the map. The G-Funk era doesn't have a heavy presence on the record, but the producers on this debut would make Dr. Dre proud.
The days of Impalas and forties dominating gangsta rap's lyrics seem to be a thing of the past, as each member likens themselves to ball players like LeBron James and rattle of references to designer duds like "Prada." Dubb Union works cohesively, showcasing their bond and hometown pride. The only real disappointment on the album is the facts that Soopafly didn't contribute much to the project's production and the soulful and sultry deliveries of Nate Dogg, Butch Cassidy, and Kokane weren't brought in for the hooks. Dubb Union's greatest strength is that each one of the group's members leaves you anticipating their next venture. Western Union is a complete album, and out of 15 or 16 tracks (depending on where you purchased the album), there are only two or three misses.
Without throwing any subliminal stones at any of their peers, Damani, Soopafly, and Bad Lucc send a note to their fans and potential consumers: we're not rap singers; we're rhyme slayers, and there's nothing like an intelligently delivered 16 bars over a hot beat that's married to a smooth hook. Dubb Union is a great debut and Damani, Soopafly, and Bad Lucc delivered an entertaining and consistent body of work that deserves to be recognized.
Features Slim (of 112): Hi Haters What else do you want from Slim? His prolific group 112 has sold over 20 million records worldwide, and with a bevy ... full story
Editorials & Columns Scouting Report: Bambu You can refer to Bambu with various terms: rebel, revolutionist, Filipino, thug, artist. From the outside looking in, ... full story
Beyond Hip-Hop Game Review: Far Cry 2 Gone are Jack Carver, his Hawaiian shirt, and the trigens from the first installment of "Far Cry," but in comes spine ... full story
Video Bambu: Like Us (Music Video) We recently featured Filipino rapper, Bambu, in our Scouting Report column, and now, he's just dropped a new video. ... full story
Digg It
Del.icio.us
