Kurupt -- a.k.a. Young Gotti -- may have relocated back to his Illadelph roots, but he hasn't left the gang culture of Southern California far behind. Along with Daz Dillinger, he's formed the Dogg Pound Gangstas (DPG), who crank out a pocketful of retro-classic G-Funk in the tradition of homeboys Snoop Doggy Dogg, Dr. Dre and Warren G. If you're a fan of the ruff, rugged, and raw West Coast hip-hop, you'll find yourself drawn into the head-noddin' taboo allure of the DPG -- but beware that the Parental Advisory is in full and total effect on this one. Children shouldn't come within 500 feet of Dillinger and Young Gotti. The subject matter covers everything from the glamorization of gangster culture ("How Many") to the marginalization of women ("You're Just a B.I.T.C.H."), with over-the-top gusto and self-aggrandizing cartoonism. Kurupt and Dillinger also defiantly flaunt their gang affiliation with all Crip-blue clothing and specific references to their Crip background on the album's cover and inserts.

But where other crews go this route for shock value and cheap gimmickry, DPG pulls it off because of a twisted sincerity, velvety delivery and, most importantly, a round of straight-up, funky, fluid beats by the pound. Looking past the gratuitous violence, drug references, etc., the album is unusually melodic, with multi-layered, lush instrumentation. One such example is the collaboration "Best Run" with Kurupt's fellow hardcore Philadelphian, Beanie Sigel. Other standouts include the upbeat R&B flavor of "My Heart Don't Pump No Tear," "We About to Get Fucc Up," and the gang celebration "We Livin' Gangsta Like" (featuring Xzibit). Another attention-grabbing song is "C-Walkin Cha Cha Cha." But since "c-walkin'" is short for "crip-walkin'"- the traditional dance of members of the Crip gang sets, who don't take kindly to outsiders doing the dance - you might not want to try this at home without adult supervision.

www.kurupt-online.com

Reviewed by Funk Wizard Snow
Editor - PhillyHipHop.com
June, 2001