Snoop Dogg - R And G - Rhythm And Gangsta - The Masterpiece (2004)

Snoop has sold over 14 million albums as a solo artist. "Drop It Like It's Hot," the lead single and video from R&G: The Masterpiece, was produced by the Grammy Award winning production duo The Neptunes and features Pharrell. The single (as of 10/6) is at approx 5000 spins nationwide and 50 million in audience and was #1 MOST ADDED and TOP 10 at Urban radio. On his latest album Snoop teams up with The Neptunes again on multiple tracks, maximizing his hit chemistry with them as displayed on the hit 'Beautiful' from his last album.

Considering that most Golden Era rap talents birthed by Dr. Dre have ridden off into the sunset--or are simply much less active and relevant in 2004--it's somewhat surprising that Snoop keeps churning out the hits like it was 1993. Make no mistake, Snoop's raps are still very much gangsta, as the title of the disc implies and as "Bang Out" clearly outlines. They're just a bit more adult-contemporary gangsta now. Despite the heavy pro-pimp overtones, the Doggfather's smoothed-out timbre and flow mask the harshness of his regressive views. The exceptional production throughout is highlighted by the Neptunes' contributions, from the catchy, minimalist "Drop It Like It's Hot" all the way to the '80s retro-funk jam "Let's Get Blown." Steady vocal contributions from funk stalwart Charlie Wilson (Gap Band) and 50 Cent, and nasty beats supplied by everyone from the Alchemist to Hi-Tek put this one over the top. --Dalton Higgins