Childhood friends Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg started out as a local Long Beach rap group called 213. Their individual careers skyrocketed before they could release an album, and the guys went on to collectively sel... more »l more than 50 million albums as solo artists. This is their historical reunion album - "The Hard Way"« less
Childhood friends Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg started out as a local Long Beach rap group called 213. Their individual careers skyrocketed before they could release an album, and the guys went on to collectively sell more than 50 million albums as solo artists. This is their historical reunion album - "The Hard Way"
"Being born and raised in California, the West Coast has always been my favorite area for hip-hop. Snoop Dogg and Warren G are definitely a couple of classic west side MC's, with Nate Dogg singing hundres of excellent hooks over the years. Naturally I was excited about these 3 getting together and doing an album. And now that it's it out I can say it was worth the wait.
This album is definitely a banger. Great production and a feel good vibe to it the release date was timed perfectly with summer. Because thats really what this is a Summer Anthem. It's got a very chilled laid back vibe and I love it. Kind of reminds me of the classic album "Regulate..G Funk Era" from Warren G. The beats do a great job of fusing old-school west side G-Funk sounds and current hip-hop sounds. Snoop and Warren are also at the top of their game through out the album spitting some of the best verses i've heard from them in awhile. Nate of course sounds perfect singing the hooks.
Now this album isn't perfect. There are, to me, a few generic mainstream sounding songs such as "213 Tha Gangsta Clicc" but still, most of the songs are top-notch. I'm going to give this cd 5 stars but its probably more like 4.5. It's near perfect and a great West Coast release."
213- The Hard Way
Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 08/19/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"213 provide an entertaining album with "The Hard Way" (2004). The trio of Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg and Warren G have all individually been known for delivering some memorable collabrations over the years, so I have been looking forward to seeing what they would be like collectively on their debut full length album. Overall this is a strong album with a lot of standout tracks. The early tracks don't grab my attention that much, including the lead single. The first real standout for me is "Wait A Minute", all of 213 come through nicely backed by a unique and addictive beat. The next track is my favourite on this album the Kayne West produced "Another Summer", this really captures the feeling of this season, an excellent feel good track, I agree with Snoop this is a summertime anthem. 213 then talk about the "Ups & Downs" of the Rap game, and staying true. I think we can all relate with the standout "Gotta Find a Way", we all need to get paid. "Joystick" has an old school feel to it like the earlier "Sassy Ways", it has got an 80's sounding feel to it with a humorous sex concept. After a Rick James (R.I.P.) skit, 213 drop the laidback "Mary Jane". Another memorable track is the outstanding "MLK", love the way this one flows. 213 talk to and about some ladies on "Give It Up" while giving thanks and showing love to family and friends on the mellow "Appreciation". I first heard the beat to "So Fly" on a track from 50 Cent's EP "Power of the Dolla" and Monica used it later with her hit single. Usually I don't like it when beats get reused, primarily because artists dont always improve the track. 213 create the exception, delivering a premium track, Snoop and Warren G rhyme well and Nate Dogg shines on this closer. I like the chemistry that these three have and its nice to see a West Coast album getting some attention in a time where Rap seems to be focused everywhere else. I recommend checking this one out. 213 have succeeded in creating a nice late summertime with "The Hard Way".
"
Real Mellow
N. Jackson | Ft. Washington, Maryland United States | 08/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am not usually a fan of rap music but this album is so chill and laid back. It is a break from the Lil John "Crunk" music that floods the airways. This is an album you could clean ya house or ya car to and most of all light up to. They did a good job with this one."
Good group album after a 12 year wait
G$ | B-More, MD | 08/15/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As a group originally brought to most people's attention in 1992, and one that was supposed to be putting an album out in the mid to late 90's, we finally got to hear an album from the Long Beach natives, 213, with 17 songs. As a few others have said, it doesn't really have a G-Funk sound (which made them famous and rich) and not many well known producers they worked with in the past that made their songs great (Warren G doesn't even produce one on here) but it still is a good album. All 3 are on every song except one doesn't have Snoop. Guests are on 2 songs and only do the hooks. It has no classic, 4 ok songs, 2 I skip and th others are good. Prodcution is handled by Quaze, B Sharp, Tha Chill, & J Hen (they all do 2 songs), and Missy Elliot, Hi Tek, DJ Pooh, Nottz, Josef Leimberg, Lil half Dead, Fly 2K, Michael Angelo, all doing 1 song. Lyrics are what you'd expect, a few dirty songs, a few gangsta songs and a few smoking/relaxing type songs. A good album to have for their fans.
#2 - 8 (f/ Dion)
#3 - 8
#4 - 8
#5 - 9
#6 - 8 (about groupies)
#7 - 8.5 (about a lonely girl -- nice beat)
#8 - 6.5 (f/ Latoiya Williams)
#9 - 5 (horrible beat)
#10 - 8.5
#11 - 7
#12 - 9 (upbeat dirty song -- no Snoop)
#14 - 9 (about smokin w33d)
#15 - 5.5
#16 - 8
#17 - 7 (dirty song)
#18 - 7
#19 - 8.5 (nice relaxing beat)
SNOOP DOGG -- Calvin Broadus -- b. 10/20/72 --- Long Beach, CA
NATE DOGG -- Nathaniel Dwayne Hale -- b. around 1972 -- Long Beach, CA
WARREN G -- Warren Griffin III -- b. 11/10/70 -------- Long Beach, CA
213 -- LBC!!!
check all my reviews"
Brilliant. AN ALBUM FOR WHEN THE SUN SHINES AND LIFE IS GOOD
SC-enjoy responsibly! | Northumberland, England | 04/26/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album offers something unheard for a long time; west coast rap. Could have been better with Warren G producing rather than rapping as he is clearly overshadowed by Snoop Dogg's abilities but Nate Dogg steals the limelight. The 'Ghetto Crooner' is on top form for the entire album his hooks are sublime and his rap contribution is of good standard too! Although some tracks stand high above others it is almost impossible to skip a single track.
Highlights include: 'So Fly', 'Mary Jane', 'MLK', 'Another Summer', 'Lonely Girl', 'Gotta Find A Way' and 'Appreciation'."