Despite being one of the most veteran superstars of Rap, few are bigger champions of the unsung heroes than Snoop Dogg. Perhaps that’s why when Tha Doggfather became Creative Chairman of Priority Records, it opened up the potential to look at the historic Los Angeles label through the eyes of a fan. It just so happens that this particular fan helped carry Priority for a time, with contributions to both No Limit Records, and post-Interscope Death Row Records compilations. Along with re-releasing three classic albums from EPMD, Master P and Eazy E, Snoop Dogg celebrates his latest label inauguration by opening up the vaults and unveiling Snoop Dogg Presents…The West Coast Blueprint.
Priority has been guilty of repackaging their greatness again and again. Unlike 2000’s Ain’t Nuthin’ But A Gangsta Party or 2008’s N.W.A. & Their Family Tree, this work feels more hand-picked. Snoop chronologically goes from 1988 onward, dropping in an occasional anecdote. Both rightfully and predictably, Niggas Wit Attitude occupy three of the five ‘80s cuts, if you include Eazy E and D.O.C. solo work. However, West Coast Blueprint provides deeper education by including King Tee’s “At Your Own Risk,” WC’s jump-off with Low Profile “Pay Ya Dues” and Kid Frost’s “La Raza.” Interestingly enough, Snoop’s latest hit came courtesy of Frost’s son, Scoop Deville. Besides D.O.C., all songs are licensed from within the Priority/EMI/Capitol/Virgin family. The convenience of that aside, no “blueprint” for the west coast should exist without Ice-T or Compton’s Most Wanted.
Too Short is another artist who existed outside of the Priority circle who deserves inclusion. To the compilation’s credit, he does appear on Ant Banks’ “4 Tha Hustlaz,” which also features 2Pac and late Michigan emcee MC Breed. Snoop wins back fans here, including a Bay Area entertainer in Banks that’s constantly left out of the mainstream revisionist history of ‘90s California Rap. Equally, this compilation shows the talent in Mack 10, by showcasing his “Foe Life” and “Nothin’ But A Cavi Hit.” That’s not a popular choice in an era when Mack 10 seems to have fallen from favor with some of his west coast brethren. It’s impressive that Ras Kass, an artist who had deep-seeded disputes with Priority was included with “The Evil That Men Do,” but Snoop’s showing a new guard at the house that Bryan Turner built. Rappin’ 4-Tay and The Luniz (along with Banks) remind us that Snoop is well-aware that the Bay carried the west coast’s weight in the second half of the ‘90s.
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The West Coast Blueprint both excites and it frustrates. On one hand, letting an artist compile songs allows fans to get a meaningful glimpse of both the influence and the underdogs of the west coast. At the same time, with such a bold title, leaving out people like Ice-T, DJ Quik, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Comptons Most Wanted, Toddy Tee or anything from Death Row are glaring omissions. Perhaps Snoop will answer those questions in upcoming volumes, but in any event, the personality and expertise of those 21 tracks (complete with a Snoop cover of ‘Check Yo Self’), exceeds any previous west coast compilation of its kind.
