Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told

Snoop Dogg Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told US CD album

The first voice you hear on the new Snoop record is that of Master P, introducing the latest recruit to the No Limit army. It's a message, albeit a subtle one: in the team game of hip-hop, there's been a trade, and our man P gained the advantage. Da Game... is Snoop's first release on the label, and it is a No Limit release through and through--in spite of the fact that, in the context of No Limit's marketing megalopoly, Snoop's Merlot mixes poorly with the rest of the crew's Asti Spumanti. Fortunately, his flow has always been blessed with a Southern swing, and the Beats by the Pound gumbo funk is a natural for the Doggfather, even if there's little on the album that pushes the creative envelope. As for Snoop himself, he spends ample time attempting to evoke previous glories with the uninspired "Gin & Juice II" and "Still a G Thang," though his strongest moments come with Mia X on "Slow Down" and with Mystikal and C-Murder on "See Ya When I Get There," both classic No Limit material. --Jon Caramanica