(This HMV Review is for new items and is only for reference. Novelty will NOT be available for used items despite mentioned bellow.)
On the intro to THE HARD WAY, the members of 213 ponder the state of West Coast rap, deciding that they should hit the studio and revive Left Coast hip-hop. Considering that 213 consists of the legend from Long Beach, Snoop Dogg, along with Warren G and Nate Dogg, the threesome is in a good position to make such claims.
On THE HARD WAY, the supergroup offers predictably solid raps over some of the best production of 2004. Everyone from wunderkind Kanye West to Long Beach veteran Quaze brings consistently powerful beats. The group displays an unsurprising penchant for straight-up R&B on "Gotta Find a Way," but, of course, it's in 213's traditional gangsta rap that the trio comes on strongest ("Absolutely" and "Keep It Gangsta"). A particular high point comes on 213's sly, bass-heavy reinterpretation of "Mary Jane," which features a hilarious intro by comedian Dave Chappelle as the song's indignant creator, Rick James. More than just a superstar union, 213 is a collaboration of artists who have worked together from a very young age, and this connection shines through on THE HARD WAY.
