From a brief 3 year stint at Deathrow Records (billed as the label’s leading artist, along with Tha Realest), Top Dogg has been on a very long hiatus since his departure from the label in 2001. Top Dogg returns with his “debut” album, ‘Every Dogg Has His Day’ (featuring cuts from his Deathrow album that never dropped) released via internet in mid-2006.
1.) Ghetto Fairytales: A very circus-esque beat is used for Top Dogg to start off the album. Mediocre lyrics and a very corny chorus, however, drag this track down. Featuring cartoon type sound effects, referencing of Porky Pig, this track is unbelievably wack. Skip it.
2.) Can’t ***** With Dogg: Featuring production catering more towards the Westcoast, Top Dogg, half-ass raps on this one. While the hook is catchy, Top Dogg tries his best Suga Free impersonation (half rapping, half macking), and it doesn’t work for the most part. Another below average track.
3.) Just Be Thankful: A soulful beat, and a very smooth hook, is provided here, and is the best kind of production for Top Dogg to mack to. More of a reminiscing track, details Top Dogg explaining his come up. And while he tries the “Snoop thing” a little bit too much, it still makes for a relaxing song.
4.) Trippin: Although this is another very short track (2:33), Top Dogg bounces over the funky instrumental provided for him, complete with DJ scratches. Fake friends, and skandalous hoes is the theme here, and Top Dogg correctly works the beat, making for a decent track. Good song.
5.) Me & My Boyz: A smooth piano laced Westcoast beat is dropped here (perfect Deathrow style), and Top Dogg serves crack on this one. Easily the best song on the album, Top Dogg is letting the haters know “if you wanna make noise, make noise, but when i whistle…ya betta watch yo back for me & my boyz”. The hook is noticabley similar to Snoop.
6.) Top Dogg Cindafella: The most controversial song on the album. Top Dogg released this in early 1999, complete with video (poking fun at Snoop Dogg), which caused enough controversy, itself. However, Snoop Dogg later mocked Top Dogg by dropping his own song “Snoopafella” on his ‘NL Topp Dogg’ album a few months after. Who’s idea was it first? Doesn’t really matter. Topp Dogg’s version is much better, featuring the accomidation of a flute, scratches, and smooth singing. Great track.
7.) She Used To Know Me: Weak track, up and down. Besides the fact that the sound quality is exceptionally poor, it’s a weak attempt at a track about a girl that “used to know him”. The beat is mellow, but Top Dogg’s lyrics are well below average. Skip it at all costs.
8.) We Don’t Love ‘Em [Street Mix]: Great Westcoast feel to this track. Taken from the same page as Ice Cube’s “Today Was A Good Day”, Top Dogg flawlessly works the beat describing a day in the life on the Westside; when it comes to “those skandalous hoes.” Great song.
9.) If U Can’t Stand The Heat feat. Eastwood: A song cut from his long anticipated Deathrow album, Top Dogg features then new comer – Eastwood, who clearly steals the show. While the beat is somewhat boring, Eastwood makes the track noteworthy.
10.) They Wanna Be Like Us [Street Mix] feat. Tha Realest, Doobie: Featured on “The Chronic: 2000”, this track features leading labelmates at the time – Top Dogg & Tha Realest. Tha Realest jumps on the track with a verse, hook, and attitude very similar to Tupac, as does Top Dogg with Snoop. Doobie has a weak verse, which makes for a very average track. Production doesn’t stand out, dragging the song down.
Overall, is this CD even long enough to be called an album? Minus a few great songs, this release is very lazy. Featuring mixes from previous albums, and terrible quality on some songs, it seems Top Dogg just rushed to release this, as a way to make some quick money. My advice, if you like Top Dogg, download this; but note that you’ve probably heard the majority of these songs before.
Overall Rating: 2/5