Ego Trippin' (by Snoop Dogg, Hip-hop)

EGO TRIPPIN' is a familiar journey with Snoop Dogg, taking the listener down a road of drugs, sex, and swearing. The 21 hip-hop tracks have several musical samplings from jazz, R&B, and even a little bit of country twang.

All self-declarations of hardcore lifestyles aside, there's something about Snoop Dogg that puts him in a different category from many other gangsta rap artists. He's raw, yet somehow his smooth, laid-back style brings you in, almost masking his frequent cussing, affinity for smoking pot, and directness of what he's going to do to the ladies. He is completely full of himself, though, praising his music and his "coolness" at every moment. Speaking of which, Snoop's remake of The Time's 1981 track "Cool" is one of the best on the album, with Snoop channeling Prince in a pop-funk-hip-hop fusion. Another standout: "Can't Say Goodbye" (featuring Charlie Wilson and The Gap Band) is about how getting out of the hood doesn't always mean the hood is out of you. "Press Play," with its silky-sounding R&B and jazz horns drowning out some foul mouth lyrics, is also worth a listen. This isn't the best album to play during family dinners, but if you can edit out the offensive tracks, there are enough left for older teens to enjoy.

Released on: March 11, 2008
Label: Geffen Records
Genre: Hip-hop
Parental advisory: Yes
Edited version available: Yes