“Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told”
Snoop Dogg
No Limit Records
Reviewed September 29, 1998
 Snoop Doggy Dogg’s first album: Doggystyle is quite possibly one of the best rap albums of all-time.  He followed that album up with a less-than dismal: Tha Doggfather.  It was less than impressive and made some think that all that indo had messed with his rapping style and ability, but then he hooked up with Master P.  Their first project, I believe, was a track on Mystikal’s album entitled: ‘Gangstas’.  It was definitely one of the dopest tracks on Mystikal’s album.  Since then, Master P has made the new Snoop Dogg one of his soldiers.  What a change it has made!  “Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told” is another amazing album and definitely has put any of Snoop’s doubters to shame.  Don’t get me wrong though.  It can never compare with Doggystyle, it’ll take the likes of a Nate Dogg, Warren G, Daz, Kurupt, Rage, Dre and the No Limit Soldiers collaboration with Snoop before that can happen.  But it’s still a great album.

 I remember saying back in February, when I reviewed Mystikal’s album, to watch out for No Limit, that it was on the rise.  Well, it has risen!  Not only is the No Limit Family growing at an amazing rate, the label is able to grab any sound, hook, vocal that they need from their abundance of artists.  That’s exactly what they did on Snoop Dogg’s new album.  It features so many artists that I’m not even going to bother mentioning them all.  It gives it a nice flow and some greatly placed background vocals.  Snoop Dogg’s first single: ‘Still A G Thang’ can never compete with Dre’s original: ‘Nuthin But A G Thang’, but it is a great song.  It’s a laid back, ‘I’m high’-type song with some awesome scratches.   I definitely like.  But it doesn’t stop there.  This album is packed with 21 tracks, I describe all of my favorites, but I’d have to talk about most of them.  One of my favorites is track 19, ‘Doggz Gonna Get Ya’.  This remake of KRS-ONE’s ‘Loves Gonna Getcha’ will have the melodic panting of dogs floating through your mind for days, and adds a cloud-like fluid sound to make it a complete trip.

 Overall, I thought that Snoop Dogg’s “Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told” was a great album.  It provides some slow LBC-type jams, especially on ‘I Can’t Take the Heat’ and ‘D.O.G.’s Get Lonely 2’.  The funk is in effect on ‘Pay For P…’.   And you know that Snoop’s gangsta style is in effect throughout the album.  If you got this album and didn’t like it, then you probably didn’t give it a chance.  Trust me you need to give it a second chance.  I’m gonna have to disagree with Snoop when he says on ‘D.O.G.’s Get Lonely 2’;  “… I’m not much, not much of a rapper at all.”  This album has proved that he truly is a great rapper.  Snoop Dogg’s first album under No Limit Records is definitely worth checking out!

“And I remember what my momma showed me, told me; game recognize game, and stay true to what you do and don’t be ashamed, I got all my game from her, sometimes I have ta wonder, how I keep from goin’ under.” – Still a G Thang

 Click on an underlined track to hear a RealAudio sound sample.

01. Snoop World
02. Slow Down
03. Woof!
04. Gin & Juice II
05. Show Me Love
06. Hustle & Ball
07. Don't Let Go
08. Tru Tank Dogs
09. Whatcha Gon Do?
10. Still A Thang
11. 20 Dollars To My Name
12. D.O.G.'s Get Lonely 2
13. Ain't Nut'in Personal
14. Dp Gangsta
15. Game Of Life
16. See Ya When I Get There
17. pay For P...
18. Picture This
19. Doggz Gonna Get Ya
20. Hoes, Money & Clout
21. Get Bout It & Rowdy www.brockwayent.com

(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)