Tha Eastsidaz is a trio from Long Beach, California consisting of Big Tray Deee, Goldie Loc and WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg. Early in the current millennium, they would release a classic self-titled debut album through Doggystyle Records & TVT Records, followed by Duces 'n Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way & This is my job 4. A decade after the aforementioned debut mixtape, they reunite for the 2nd time to sign with Death Row Records now distributed by gamma. for a debut EP.
After the intro of 'Passport', first song 'Hood Been Good' kicks off with a smooth West Coast opener talking about how great the streets of Long Beach were for them, while 'Groove Bacc' goes the g-funk route organically , so Tha Eastsidaz can get back in their bags.The Rick Rock-produced “Rag Tied” represents the group's Crip ties just before DJ Battlecat gives “Going Down” some game-changing rap rock tones. “Watch & Chillin'” bills itself as lyrical menace, while “Gangstafied” ends the EP detailing gangsta life.
Tha Dogg Pound's latest album WAWG (We All We Got) marked a return to form for the duo after its commercial-heavy vibes DPG 4 Life & Danny Boy announced a few months ago that he was back on Death Row, so it was only a matter of time until Tha Eastsidaz did and gave us a bangin' EP ahead of their upcoming LP on the label. The production sticks with the prominent west coast sound of their previous material and I love that they didn't have any guests other than Snoop on the 4 track.
Rating: 8/10