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Freddie Gibbs & Statik Selektah Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away album review

Freddie Gibbs’ road is layered with evocative imagery; when he delivers, he delivers. His does not hold anything back, and his tough guy attitude never falters, contributing to the dark themes that are commonplace in the world of gangsta-rap. In his latest EP, Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away, Freddie Gibbs continues on with his street-smart bravado, teaming up with producer Statik Selektah, and a list of guest appearances, to create a 19 minute mix of ’70s music influenced production, hyper-technical rhymes from Gibbs and contributing bars from an eclectic roster of guests.

From beginning to end, this album does not indicate it was made in a day (which it was); Statik Selektah obviously takes his production seriously, as every beat and every note are synchronized perfectly, allowing Gibbs’ malleable flow to just smoothly go through well-chosen samples. Heavy organs start things off in, “Lord Giveth Lord Taketh Away,” where Gibbs showcases his ability to transition from rapid-fire, to staccato-driven rhymes, in a matter of seconds.

“Rap Money,” features Dogg Pound member, Daz Dillinger, who compliments Gibbs’ style with his similar, baritone-like delivery. “Affiliated,” is an onslaught of just raw, unrestrained delivery from Gibbs, and guests Reks & Push! Montana. “For real MCs to kill the likes of Lil Bs,” angrily proclaims Reks. Yikes.

Fred The Godson and Termanology shine on, “Wild Style.” The title is fitting for the the deliveries, especially Termanology’s; “I’ll put the grenade in your mouth, and blow your life apart,” rhymes Termanology, his machine gun flow almost as deadly as the images he creates with them.

“Keep It Warm For Ya,” is somewhat humorous in a way; Gibbs, along with Smoke DZA and Chace Infinite, rhyme about their sexual prowess, and how it keeps the ladies coming back for more. “Fix me mac and cheese, you know I’m a fat n***a,” states Smoke DZA, his clever wordplay also hilarious, considering the moody atmosphere Selektah creates on this track.

Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away is a solid release, and although it may not be near his strongest release, Gibbs proves that, even in a day, he can create something that looks completely effortless and flawless, proving that he is one of the most solid rappers in the game right now.

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Multi-platinum Rapper/Producer, Daz Dillinger, To Release New Album, “D.A.Z.”, Featuring Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg

Multi-platinum Rapper/Producer, Daz Dillinger, To Release New Album, “D.A.Z.”, Featuring Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg

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Daz Dillinger of Tha Dogg Pound, Readies New Album For April, “D.A.Z.”, Featuring Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg And More

Former Death Row Records and So So Def recording artist, multi-platinum producer and original Dogg Pound member, Daz Dillinger, will release a brand new solo album in April, entitled “D.A.Z. (Destruction Adds up to Zero)”. The album will feature guest appearances from Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, W.C., Kurupt and more.

With many critically acclaimed albums under his belt, the Long Beach-born rapper recently revealed that the new album, will be a return to the classic West Coast sound. The first single, “D.A.Z.”, will be serviced shortly.

Along with Kurupt, Nate Dogg, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Warren G, Daz Dillinger revolutionised a sound in the early 90s. His contributions to the legendary albums, Chronic and Doggystyle, quickly established him as one of the most deadliest gangsta rappers/producers on the West Coast. In ’95, Tha Dogg Pound’s (Daz and Kurupt) heavily-anticipated debut Dogg Food, moved nearly 300,000 units in its first week and shot to the number one spot on the Billboard charts. 2Pac then chose Daz as one of the lead producers for All Eyez On Me. He went on to become Death Row’s main producer, producing Snoop’s Tha Doggfather album amongst others, and releasing his successful debut solo album Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back, which reached the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 in ’98.

Following the departure of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, the death of 2Pac, and the imprisonment of Suge Knight, Death Row suddenly lost its momentum – Yet Daz Dillinger’s career as a producer still flourished working with artists ranging from Black Eyed Peas, to the South’s King, T.I.. Later signing with Jermaine Dupri at So So Def in 2006, releasing the album So So Gangsta, which debuted at number 35.

Distributed both digitally and physically, the upcoming new album “D.A.Z. (Destruction Adds up to Zero)” will be laced with 14 banging new tracks produced by Daz himself, and Ivan Johnson, with the exception of “I’m Cool On U” featuring Crystal and MacShawn100, produced by Tha Chill. Other tracks will include, “DPG-4-LIFE”, “G-Spot”, “Set It Off” featuring Snoop Dogg, “Don’t U Eva 4 Get” featuring W.C. and Soopafly, “No Hand Outs Or Favors” featuring Sly Boogy, and “Iz U Ready 2 Die” featuring Ice Cube.

“D.A.Z. (Destruction Adds up to Zero)” out in April, on Dogg Pound Records.