Seaspot Magazine
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D.O.G. delivers an ode to the west coast with a vengeance
After a few years 'away' Tacoma-based OG MC, Mr. D.O.G. returns to the rap game with Backstreets & Boulevards: The Takeover. D.O.G. delivers an ode to the west coast with a vengeance and plans of conquest on his mind on Backstreets... bringing an alley-full of gangstaz, thugs & hustlers along for the hoo ride.
D.O.G. is not a new jack by any stretch of the imagination - he is an official OG truly from the T-Town as demonstrated by "Intro" and "Yeh", both setting the tone for Backstreets'... ride through west coast hoods. In a display of D.O.G.'s affiliations he connects the Hilltop with Oaktown as Yukmouth and Mac Money flip styles on "Bosses Will Be Bosses" and on another high-sidin' track, D.O.G. again delivers the 253/Yay Area connection with B-Legit and Hav Not (now without the 'Young') lacing the G'd up Funk Daddy track, "Cold Blooded". The whole time D.O.G. emerges with his signature 'Aquaman' stilo and does not hesitate to throw up his blue flag in a real way. The days of MCs being humble about their gang ties are long gone and D.O.G. C-rides through Backstreets... without set trippin'.
Although Backstreets... is a look into the so-called gangsta lifestyle which some cats may not feel, D.O.G.'s lyricism has evolved impressively on his fifth record as displayed alongside the magnificent rhymesayer Ras Kass (one the best MCs period) and Scipio aboard for the appropriately titled "Legendary". Moments of glory are also showcased throughout Backstreets... on tracks like "Portland N****z" as D.O.G. demonstrates his status as an ambassador of the Northwest inviting cats from all over the map to get down and they give him more than paid verses - they show D.O.G. love lyrically, a sign of respect earned in the game. A lot of cats purchase verses, but D.O.G.s guests deliver more than paid rhymes. The once BG turned T-Town OG Boss Hav Not makes several notable appearances on Backstreets..., but most impressively on the reflective "My Life", killing the track on a Blood/Crip track featuring the new face of Compton, The Game. The title track is also indisputable Kevlar with Certified & C-Bo smashing on the blocc anthem where every hood from Sac to Spokompton is thrown up.
D.O.G. succeeds in delivering a record for cats to mob to, ghostride to and stunt to and brings along the appropriate cast of characters for the execution. With T-nutty, Luni Coleone, Mac & AK, West Coast Stone and more riding shotgun Backstreets... is certainly not an album that will make snitches, rats and punks feel happy about their lives. D.O.G. executes what his blueprint has been - straight gangsta s**t. It is not an accident that Backstreets... is not backpack rap. What Backstreets is is a series of anthems, messages and tales for ridahs - and the OGs are paid homage to off top. Backstreets... showcases the status of an OG from Hill Top, Tacoma who has put in work, paid his dues, took his lumps and is still on bang status 'til his casket drops. Boulevards... is for hood cats, by hood cats... throw it up!
Jose S. Gutierrez Jr.
Luvva J
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James
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This is a keeper! Don't sleep on it.
This is what the Northwest has been waiting for. It is the total package. The mixes are crisp, the lyrics are catchy, and the beats knock something viscious. It also has an allstar cast appearing on it.
My favorite track would have to be Bosses Will Be Bosses. And there is not one song that I don't like. All in all, I would have to say that Mr. D.O.G. proved that he can flow with the best of them and still entertain by himself.
The original copies of this album will definitely be worth something in the future.
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