Search - Daz Dillinger :: This Is the Life I Lead

Best album of 2002 so far; Daz releases another classic.

Mister Hip-Hop | The Land Where Hip-Hop And Jazz Live. | 08/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Daz Dillinger has permanently gained respect as being the type who will release a great album no matter what state hip-hop is in. This Is The Life I Lead shows that Daz has matured a lot since Retaliation, Revenge And Get Back, and even R.A.W. in many ways. However, Daz also sounds angry on a number of tracks here. This is probably because he felt betrayed by his former partner Kurupt, who signed with Death Row Records, enemies of Daz and The Dogg Pound. This is extremely sad and it's surprising Daz and Kurupt are actually going to become enemies now. The tracks Kurupt guests on are now both hidden along with a bonus remix. One admirable aspect of this album is Daz just speaks everything on his mind. He even disses Suge Knight and Death Row on many tracks, calling Suge out on a couple and even taking a couple shots at Kurupt. One strange thing is that a lot of tracks here can be connected with and compared to previous Daz/DPG tracks that had been released in the good old days. The production is excellent, the typical Daz-West Coast style, he has stayed true to himself. The album starts out with a typical gangsta intro but then moves into "Drama", a diss aimed at Kurupt and the Death Row Records crew. He says some harsh words on this track, although he doesn't mention names on this song, he makes it very clear who he is talking about. He says some incredible words in the middle of each verse, reminiscent of his work on the title track of "Retaliation, Revenge And Get Back". It also is very similar to Tupac. The beat is the normal dark, gangsta beat you can expect at the beginning of a West Coast rap album. "Ain't That Somethin'" features a P.F.N. and Crystal, some up-and-comers of Daz's DPG Records. The track is a bumper, although Daz doesn't actually spit on it, he produced a track very similar to "Who Ride With Us" for a good, bouncy California track. "Make Me Rich" is a classic song which features (the great) Too Short. On this song they try to re-create the magic of "It Might Sound Crazy" and actually do so quite well. This song is much harder, has a vintage Bay Area-flavored beat and good verses from Daz and Too Short. "Keep It Gangsta" is a great summertime track, which brings back the classic, energetic Daz we haven't heard since "In California". This is the kind of sound the West Coast is famous for. "I Live Every Day Like I Could Die That Die" is a classic and one of my favorites on this album. It has a laid-back, smooth beat and Daz just spits straight game. Simply a great song. "Load Up" is a decent track with a bouncy beat and Daz doing his usual. The refrain here is kind of nice if a bit (uncharacteristically) unoriginal. "Run The Streets" is probably the best track lyrically that Daz has ever done. Here he disses Death Row and actually calls them out saying "I'll leave Marion Suge Knight straight blown away". This song is filled with quotables. He compares Death Row to the Roman Empire saying that it's about to fall. This song should definitely turn some heads. "We Do This Passion" has an unbelieveably smooth beat from Daz and Mike Dean. The track overall is Daz at his best and he takes on the usual subject matter (talks about wiping out everyone on Death Row Records, talks about being a gangsta). "Redrum Galore" is the only bad track on the album. It features Mean Piece, some new independant rapper. The track just isn't listenable like the others. The rock-and-roll beat is lame, the only highlight of the song is Daz taking shots at Suge Knight again. "This Life I Lead" is a vintage mafioso track, with strings and everything. Daz rips it on this song, talking about his life, which makes this a real track as well as a good one to listen to and enjoy. Next is the outro but wait, there are the hidden tracks featuring Kurupt. The first one is called "Gangsta Prerogative" and relies on a heavy sampling of Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative". The song is a fun, sunny funk track although it's definitely not the best I've heard from DPG. It sounds a little like a leftover from Dillinger & Young Gotti. But it is kind of nice to hear DPG in party mode making gangsta versions of Bobby Brown songs. The next track is probably my favorite on the album, "Think About It". Those who enjoyed Kurupt and Daz's "On The Grind" will definitely like this track as well. It's a masterful, laid-back collaboration between the two and will make you sad when you realize Kurupt and Daz won't be working together again. This is a great track. The beat sounds a lot like "Midnight Love" by Snoop, Daz and Raphael Saadiq. Just classic. The final bonus track is Daz solo on a remix for "Keep It Gangsta". This beat is much more of a head-bobber. It's a good track and a nice way to end the album.Overall, this album is a diamond in the rough of bad releases that have come out in 2002. Daz has managed to grow but also stay true to his old self and give the listeners what they want to hear. It's a shame this album isn't going to be topping the charts because it's easily better than anything the Neptunes ever came up with. It will be interesting to see how Suge and The Row react to the disses which were readily served up for them here. Great album, don't sleep on this one."

Consistency & Longevity

Enlightened | Atlanta Georgia | 09/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Daz Dillinger has been in the rap game for over a decade now and is most known for his stint with Death Row. Being the last of the DPG's to jump ship, Daz soon started his own DPG record label. This label has been a very successful underground label and his solo releases have always done well. Daz Dillinger is a rare artist that gets better with time. When he first started out he wasn't that great of a rapper and was frequently outshined by partner Kurupt. But as time went on Daz learned the gift of gab when it came to rappin.Now in 2002, Daz releases his third solo album, This Is The Life I Lead. He still keeps his gangsta themes and aesthetic though and has less guest rappers. The beats are , as always, top notch making it a hellafied cd to bump in the whip. Just peep `Run Tha Street' for proof. This song has one of the hardest beats and Daz lyrically murders this track. He sends out some death threats to you know who, as well as kick some truly bonafide gangsta tales. He hooks up with the Original Pimp Too $hort for a mysoginistic song in "Make Me Rich', kicks it DPG style with Kurupt on Gangsta Prerogative ( one of the bonus tracks ). He reminisces on "I Live Everyday...", and keeps it street with ` Keep It Gangsta'Daz Dillinger never ceases to amaze me. This album is slightly better than R.A.W. so if you enjoyed that album go ahead and pick this up. If you are a fan of DPG then this album is a must. If you are not a fan you should still give this album an honest listen, you won't regret it."

Daz Dillinger bringin stra8 heat in 2002

George Annessa | 06/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the life i lead is off the hook.. this is a album to bump in ur ride or at partys.. stra8 gangsta west coast beats.. cop this album and bring west coast back on the map.. fu(k east coast pop rap... dpg 4 life"