Tha Eastsidaz are a trio from Long Beach, California consisting of Big Tray Deee, Goldie Loc & WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg. At the beginning of the current millennium, they would put out a classic eponymous full-length debut album through Doggystyle Records & TVT Records followed by Duces ‘n Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way & That’s My Work 4. A decade after the previously mentioned debut mixtape, they’re reuniting for a 2nd time to sign with Death Row Records now distributed by gamma. for a debut EP.
After the “Passport” intro, the first song “Hood Been Good starts with a smooth ass west coast opener talking about how great the streets of Long Beach have been to them whereas “Groove Bacc” takes the g-funk route instrumentally so Tha Eastsidaz can get back in their bags. “Rag Tied” produced by Rick Rock reps the group’s Crip ties just before DJ Battlecat gives “Going Down” some rap rock undertones talking about changing the game. “Watch & Chillin’” funkily classifies themselves as a lyrical threat while “Gangstafied” ends the EP detailing the gangsta life.
Tha Dogg Pound’s latest album W.A.W.G. (We All We Got) marked a return to form for the duo after the commercial-heavy vibes of DPG 4 Life & Danny Boy announced a few months ago that he had returned to Death Row, so it was only a matter of time until Tha Eastsidaz did & they gave us a bangin’ EP ahead of their upcoming LP on the label. The production sticks with the prominent west coast sound of their previous material & I like they didn’t have any guests other than Snoop on 4 cuts.
Score: 8/10
