The Sophomore Success
by MattAnyone who listens to music knows about it. It's the elephant in the room -- The Sophomore Slump. If you are a music talent (and I use that word lightly today given the current state of American Idol-forced-factory-produced "music") and are luckily enough to break out and be signed AND be lucky enough to score a hit single AND EVEN more lucky enough put out a brilliant game-changer debut album AND even luckier to have critical acclaim to back it up AND EVEN LUCKIER to have mainstream success with sales to go with it, you're still not in the clear yet. Gone is that hunger and originality you once had while trying to break into the business. Now, the artist has had a taste of fame, success, a new entourage, a bunch of "Yes Men" following them around, and of course money. Eventually, the record company will pressure that same artist to head back into the studio and start recording the follow-up to their debut album. Most of the time that artist will say, "Now what?" Enter: The Sophomore Jinx, Slump, Jinx, whatever you want to call it.
Everyone needs one
Trust me, it's happened many times and it's going to keep happening. Whether we want to admit it or not, everybody gets older. Everything is declining slowly. Sure, some people peak physically, professionally, musically, mentally later or longer than others, but in the end we all end up the same. Sports and Music careers are the ultimate microcosms of our lives. You have the Brett Favres of the world and then you have the Mike Mamulas. You are now closer to the end of your life reading this sentence than you were reading the last one. Sorry to sound morbid or depressing, but it's a fact. Deal with it. That being said, the typical artist's life-span is similar on a smaller scale. This even holds true with the once-in-a-lifetime game-changing artist. Insert whoever you want here. Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elvis, Kenny G. Whatever, whoever. They may re-invent themselves a bunch of times to enjoy a long career filled with many transitions, but ultimately they decline too. They are the "Brett Favres" of music.
Who are you in life? This guy....
Now, here's the twist. Here's where I throw you off. I think artists' sophomore albums are their best. Snoop Dogg is an outlier. You probably didn't see that one coming, did you? Let me explain. Keep in mind there are TONS of variables as I'll explain later. Some artists "blow up" with third, fourth, even fifth albums. I get that. You can argue many points against this theory of mine. Usually, these are anomalies. Yes, Snoop Dogg, I know. Assuming that the artist records the second album within 2-3 years of their debut, they still posses a good amount of that rawness and hunger that was needed to break through in the first place. My favorite part of the equation is that they have been in the record business for a few years at this point so their work sounds polished but not TOO polished. Basically, it's the originality that made them famous with some touch-ups. A studio-big-budget-produced sound that still has that original fire that got the artist there in the first place. By the 3rd album, this has diminished and mostly all you get is a big-budget-studio sound. The artist has been collecting royalty checks, touring, famous for 5-10 years, and comfortable. Yes, Snoop Dogg, I know, I get it. Are some 3rd albums better than 2nd albums? Of course. Again, there are always exceptions. I personally feel, depending on the circumstances, that an artist may peak around the time of their 3rd album. That time of the 2nd album is special. They are still appreciative of their fame. They had success and money but want more. They still aren't that far removed from the days of passing out demos to club owners in an alleyway in North Jersey. Yeah, yeah, SNOOP DOGG.
Some examples:
Eminem (my personal favorite)
(Major Label) Debut album: The Slim Shady LP (1999) - Sold over 6 million worldwide
Follow-Up: The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) - Sold over 19 million worldwide.
From a creative standpoint, SSLP may be better. Only 3 tracks were added to that album after Eminem signed a record deal with Aftermath. The rest came from his independent effort The Slim Shady EP. On the MMLP, he sounded so polished yet still showed glimpses of the underground hunger and viciousness that helped him make it. Oh, and more Dr. Dre never hurt either. Not just one of the best rap albums of all time, but one of the best, period.
This is the template for every other artist you want to insert into this debate. Snoop Dogg, you ask? Fine.
Snoop Dogg
(Major Label) Debut album: Doggystyle (1993) - Sold over 7 million worldwide
Follow-Up: Tha Doggfather (1996) - Sold over 2 million worldwide.
Obviously, you lose Dr. Dre and have Daz and DJ Pooh instead and you are going to lose some quality. What people FORGET is that Snoop was featured heavily on Murder Was The Case soundtrack (1994) and Tha Dogg Pound's controversial debut, Dogg Food (1995) Still working with Dr. Dre, Snoop DID enjoy that very small window of "Sophomore Success" as I call it. His content during that period was classic g-funk material for its time. If he was not involved in his murder trial, Dr. Dre would still be with the label, AND he put out his album during 1994-1995, we would never hear how Snoop's second album failed horribly. Snoop would never have been linked to all that "never be able to top Doggystyle" talk. Would he have topped it? Probably not. He would have been real close, though.
I'm not going to pretend that I know every genre of music by heart. I do know that Lady Gaga is currently enjoying this small window of time and success before she becomes more and more manufactured and polished. Slowly, over the years (and she will enjoy a long career) she'll move further away from the creativity that makes her unique. Remember we all die. Think of your favorite band, artist, rapper, even dare I say American Idol. Think of their first 3 albums. Think about which one is the best. Think about which one sounds the most polished. Think about which one sounds the most creative. Now, think about the album that has all of that combined. Your answer is probably their second album -- The Sophomore Success.
Or this guy?
The Chronic Vs. Doggystyle
by Matt
VS. 
Tale Of The Tape:
The Chronic - 1992 - Almost 8 million sold worldwide
Doggystyle - 1993 - Almost 7 million sold worldwide
Track By Track:
The Chronic - Set the trend for West Coast rap as it moved into the 90s. It was important as it was Dre's first attempt post-Ruthless. Launched careers of Snoop, Daz, Kurrupt, Warren G, RBX, Rage, Nate Dogg Mike Elizondo (Did work on every Aftermath CD including Eminem, G-Unit, etc. ) and brought The D.O.C. back into the limelight after his horrible crash.
1. The Chronic (The Intro) - A great track Dre cooked up popping the G-Funk's sound cherry. This marks the second time we've heard Snoop Doggy Dogg on a track (First ever was Deep Cover) Snoop comes hard and bashes Jerry Heller and Eazy E.
2. F*ck Wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebrating) - In an time where it was almost unheard of to release mainstream diss tracks, Dre and Snoop team up with a meanancing Dre drum loop (recorded live in studio) dissing Ruthless, Jerry, and Eazy. Later he quickly mentions Luke and Tim Dawg, a strategy Tupac would adopt when he recorded Hit 'Em Up. The whole song was about Biggie, Puffy, and Junior Mafia. Out of nowhere, Tupac let Chino XL have it. Line of the song: thought I was sleazy/Or though I was a mark cause I used to hang with Eazy.
3. Let Me Ride - Introduced me to what a "6-Fou" was. This song is so good on so many levels. From the amazingly laid back sampled beat, to the bridge which sounds like hydraulics, to the hook - this song was great. If you ever can dig up the rare gem of this song remixed with The Dogg Pound and a verse from Snoop and George Clinton - it's my favorite Death Row Era song of all time. Lyric of the song: So when I crawl I comes correct/Now, if your b*tch in my sh*t, it's your b*tch you check ni***.
4. The Day The ****** Took Over - In a rap trend during the 1992-93 era, EVERY rapper had to make a song about the LA Riots and how they all predicted it in the past. (See Ice Cube) Even Sublime thought they had to make a record about it. Lost in the sampling of newscasts was the awesome soundtrack Dre takes us through. As an 11 year old listening to this, I knew nothing about the situation or why or who was rioting when it happened. When I listened to Dre, he gave me the history lesson and it was justified. That's how I learned of the LA Riots. Standout Verse: RBX. On a side note, The Dogg Pound's debut on this track.
5. Nothin' But A G Thang - Classic. Everybody knows this song. The lead single from the album. The first song I heard from Dre/Snoop back on Power 99 in the 5th Grade right after "I Gotta Man" by Positive K came on.
6. Deeeeeez Nuuuuts - Funny phone call skit in the beginning debuting Warren G. Another G-Funk sound track. Dre and Snoop sound like they could kill you on this track... and you believed it. Daz raps again... in a normal voice. He sounds a little timid but still takes a shot Kriss Kross. Standout: Nate Dogg's debut as he sings the end of the song. Classic Nate Dogg.
7. Lil' Ghetto Boy - Very underrated track on this album ... hard to do, I know. Anyway, another Dre track laced with live drums in studio. Snoop sounds cryptic on this track and is easily one of their bests. This is the first serious track Dre and Snoop ever did. Snoop utters the words, "Murder was the case that they gave me" for the first time ever.
8. A ***** Wit A Gun - Never before has there been a more explicit song title. The hook was a bit weak, but the beat was unheard of at the time. This is how the word "instant classic" is an oxymoron. It's November 5, 2009 and I'm listening to this beat and still am as blown away as I was during 1992 in my room sneaking listens when my parent's weren't home. Dre ironically samples "Friends" By Whodini. One of the hardest tracks ever. Line of the song: "I've never did time on murder yet."
9. Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat - When you listen to this song... you think you are in Compton and "this is the for the hos that I used to know/when I didn't have a Six Fo' ...and a lota dough." One of the better hooks on the album. Dre's verses attack the beat in a way that he can't do anymore. Throw in a couple of "Hell Yeahs", Snoop talking at the end, and you have a classic.
10. The $20 Sack Pyramid - I didn't understand this in 5th grade on so many levels. From what they were talking about to what the parady was ... my friends and I just thought it was so funny because of the voices and cursing. In 2009, it's still funny -- but now I get it. Trivia: The D.O.C is the guy with the messed up voice.
11. Lyrical Gangbang- Best lyrical track on the album - that means all the good actual rappers are on this one. No Dre, Snoop , just Rage, RBX, Kurrupt. Lyrics are just not heard nowadays.
12. High Powered - One of the less exciting, laid back beats on the CD, Dre smokes and talks a lot in the beginning. RBX at least has a good verse and debuts the line, "I drop bombs like Hiroshima." Daz just talks at the end. So basically Dre and Daz talk and RBX has good verse over an average G-Funk beat.
13. The Doctor's Office - A skit about Dre just banging a ho in his office.
14. Stranded On Death Row - My favorite track on the whole album. The beat is so amazing, Kurrupt's first memorable verse. "Whoop ass like Van Dame." Snoop's last verse is a true standout and Rage drops her first verse. RBX is on here again with an awesome verse.
15. The Roach (The Chronic Outro) Not even a rap song, live instruments, RBX talking about chronic and cheeseburgers. I love the hook. Another interpolation but good anyway.
16. B*tches Ain't Sh*t - Not even on the original tracklisting. This was an old school hidden track. Almost like and encore. One of the best G-Funk beats of all time. A great storytelling (and rare) track from Dre and Snoop. Daz sounds weird on the second verse. Great album closer.
Doggystyle - The first CD I had purchased on the day it came out. November 23, 1993. Acutally, my mom had to buy it for me. She didn't know what it was, thank God. She probably thought it was another MC Hammer album. Set the stage for Snoop's career and blurred the lines of reality and entertainment. A short time before the release, Snoop was arrested for attempted murder. It's like when a pro wrestler bleeds when you are are kid. You know it's fake.... right??? Also, set the record for most albums sold in the opening week with 802, 858. That record would stand 7 more years until Eminem broke it with The Marshal Mathers LP.
1. Bathtub Skit - Snoop in the tub
2. G Funk (Intro) - If you thought The Chronic intro couldn't be topped, think again. The beat is G-Funk at its best with some of the bass ever heard to man's ears. Rage opens with a hell of a verse. Dre on the beat with some background stuff that sounds so good -- I don't know how to even describe it. Snoop melodic few bars ends the track before RBX says some weird stuff.
3. Gin & Juice - I don't have say anything here. Could be one of the best Snoop songs ever. Maybe better than What's My Name.
4. WBallz - Funny and starts a LONG chain of these throughut the years.
5. Tha Shiznit - Classic Dre drums. Great Dre beat and bass but I don't like how Snoop's voice started to evolve into lazy modern Snoop. You can kinda hear a SMIDGEN of it here.
6. Domino Skit - Features Domino ... often forgotten for the classic "Ghetto Jam" and "Sweet Potato Pie."
7. Lodi Dodi - Classic storytelling by Snoop , of course it was lifted from Slick Rick.
8. Murder Was the Case (DeathAfterVisualizingEternity) - Another story telling track from Snoop, inspired the movie and different version.
9. Serial Killa - Dogg Pound destroys this track and RBX is just okay. Snoop has one the better verses that reminds us of the Chronic.
10. Who Am I (What's My Name?) - Possibly the best rap song ever. Possibly. The lead single
11. For All My ****** & ******* - Another weaker beat, similar to Lyrical Gangbang. Great lyrics, though. Annoying hook.
12. Ain't No Fun (If The Homies Can't Have None) - A standout on the album. Great lines, a new style G-Funk beat, Nate Dogg -- Funny lines -- doesn't get better.
13. Chronic Interlude - Skit
14. Doggy Dogg World - Very slow, but a favorite and third single. He mentions the newcomer on the scene Coolio.
15. Class Room Skit
16. Gz and Hustlas- My personal favorite on the CD. Best rhymes, Snoop sounds really good, the beat is a KILLA.
17.Checkin' Interlude
18. Gz Up Hos Down (Only available on initial pressings) I got the CD on November 23, 1993 so I had this. CLASSIC. VERY GOOD SONG. I never heard anything like this at the time.
19. Pump, Pump - WHAT AN INTRO. Very hard beat and Snoop tries really hard with some young rapper on it. A good ender but nothing like The Chronic's closer. This track is like having Brad Lidge blowing like 5 saves all year. The Chronic's closer is like 2008 Brad Lidge. I don't think this was listed on the track listing at first -- as a hidden track.
Conclusion: I've just listened to both, back-to-back from start to finish. I actually surprised myself. Coming into this, my favorite was Doggystyle by a HAIR. When you sort through the way too many skits on Doggystyle, you still have a classic album. The beats are more evolved on Doggystyle. G-Funk was about 2 years away from seeing the end, but Dre is always one step ahead here. The lyrics are a tad better on The Chronic and the beats are more layered on The Chronic. Both albums have their respective themes and are amazing. To be precise, I will rank on a scale of 100.
And winner is....
The Chronic - 99/100 (No album can be perfect, I think. The album has one flaw. Can you spot it? )
Doggystyle - 95/100
Delve Into Agnew’s Mind
Login the Old Fashined Way
Polls
Loading ...Recent Comments
- Jeff H on Jon and Agnew Show 11.30.11
- Ry on Jon and Agnew Show 10.16.11
- Erin Magarity on Jon and Agnew Show 10.16.11
- Erin Magarity on Jon and Agnew Show 10.16.11
- Jon Hassinger on Jon and Agnew Show 10.16.11
