Correva l'anno 1997 e Warren G, il fratellastro di Dr. Dre, se ne andava in giro a fare danni con "Take a look over your shoulder (Reality)", un album che faceva paura e, nonostante i vari orrori del rap made in U.S.A. nati negli ultimi anni (vedi 50 Cent), riesce a fare paura anche oggi nel 2006!

Un album vero, un album con tutti gli attributi e le carte in regola! Tutto fila liscio, nessuna sbavatura, Warren Griffin III (Warren G), autore dei testi e produttore della maggior parte delle strumentali si confermava, dopo lo storico "Regulate... G Funk Era", datato 1994, uno dei più grandi Re che la West Coast avesse mai conosciuto.
Questa, che vi piaccia oppure no, è West Coast Stile allo stato puro: rime dure ma delicate, strumentali melodiche ma toste e decise che riescono a colpire subito al primo ascolto; quasi tutti i ritornelli sono rigorosamente cantati da vocalist soul, i beat non sono complicati ma, nonostante ciò, sanno essere efficaci efficaci, i sinth sono sinuosi e i giri di basso elettronico vanno ad accompagnare il ritmo come nessun altro basso in una base hip-hop sarebbe in grado di fare.

Ok, ora che vi ho informato a dovere vado a descrivervi alcune delle tracce più incisive di questo lavoro, andiamo: ...partiamo dalla seconda, ovvero, "Annie Mae" (feat. Nate Dogg), qui le rime di Warren riescono subito ad incantare, gli incastri sono perfetti, lo stile è quello classico dei vecchi tempi e si sente, la meravigliosa voce di Nate ci sta che è una meraviglia e il ritornello, dopo averlo ascoltato anche solo una volta, si insinuerà per sempre nel vostro cervello.
"Smokin' me out" porta con se quella grande sensazione che solo il funky può dare, il basso slappato diviene l'ingrediente magico di tutta la canzone e la mitica voce del leggendario Ron Isley sa farsi riconoscere senza tante storie. Mi è difficile trovare un brano "che non ci sta" perchè qui i brani ci stanno tutti, ascoltatevi ad esempio "Reality", il n° 5, e avrete conferma alle mie parole: che dire? Westcoastissima!

Se siete tra quelli che il rap lo vogliono incisivo, bastardo e cattivo, beh, per voi c'è "What we go through" (feat. Bad Ass, Mr. Malik & Perfec); traccia tosta, la voce di Bad Ass vi farà morire mentre quella di Warren, insieme alla bellissima strumentale, vi darà il colpo di grazia... stesso discorso per "To all the DJ's"! "Can you feel it" è forse una delle tracce migliori del cd, le coriste fanno il loro giusto panico, il basso ti dice come devi muoverti e la voce di Warren G è la voce di Warren G: carica di flow e con un liricismo senza precedenti! Ho affermato che "Can you feel it" è forse una delle migliori ma quando si arriva all'ascolto della favolosa "What's love got to do with it" le carte in gioco cambiano: la meravigliosa voce soul di Adina Howard non è che faccia venire i brividi... di più! Per quanto riguarda le strofe e il ritornello non ho parole, adoro questa canzone, anzi, direi che l'amo, come amo la funkyssima cover di Bob Marley, "I shot the sheriff"; strano, direte voi, di solito le cover non riescono mai bene, ma vi assicuro che questa uscì dalla sala di registrazione in ottimo stato! Quando un'artista, soprattutto se hip-hop, mette il cuore in un album la differenza si avverte; ascoltando questo prodotto giurerei che Warren G, e compagnia bella, qui non c'hanno messo solo il cuore ma anche tutta l'anima! Anima black naturalmente.

Tiriamo le conclusioni... questo è un album che consiglio a tutti quelli che hanno bisogno di musica vera, di soul, di rap, di funky e di energia! Warren G, "Take a look over your shoulder (Reality)", 1997... d'avere a tutti i costi nel vostro scaffale dei dischi!

Elenco tracce testi e video

01   Intro (00:30)

02   Annie Mae (03:52)

featuring Nate Dogg
Warren G-
1, 2 buckle my shoe,
3, 4 we gotta hit the store,
5, 6 back in the mix,
7, 8 Warren G and Nate,

Nate Dogg-
Bang to the boogy say up jump the boogy
to the rhythm of the boogidy beat
I dont love no hoes they know so they don't be fuckin wit me

Warren G-
A long time ago I met Annie Mae
she was killing me softly like everyday
penetentiary steel, was stickin for real
blockbustin through the walls
now I'm makin housecalls

Nate Dogg-
I thought I'd met a lot of scandalous women, and then I met Annie Mae
Got a thin big butt like steel
But she didn't have a place to stay

Warren G-
She was shackin at mine and shackin at his
blowin my socks, tellin his biz
Nate Dogg this and Nate Dogg that
213 skirt, and we stay intact
So I told the homey Nate don't be mislead
ain't no fun if the homey can't shake a leg
so I went to the house and knocked on the door
and guess who it was, Annie Mae you H-O

(Chorus)
I once knew a trick named Annie Mae (Annie Mae)
(I once met a bitch named Annie Mae)
I once knew a trick named Annie Mae (Annie Mae)
I once knew a trick named Annie Mae

Nate Dogg-
Remember yesterday I asked you baby have I seen you somewhere before
with just one look, the pussy was took
cuz I make music that you adore
Now I'm not sure and I might be trippin
but in 94 I heard a song
it ain't no fun unless the homeys can come
so Warren G put a condom on

Warren G-
Now Nate you know me and I know you
I got rubbers, gin and socco(?) too
so lets do the do, on how we do,
never my boot, just a freak that I knew

Chorus
Warren G-
Annie Mae, Annie Mae, you ran out of time
Warren G and Nate Dogg blew your mind
cuz if you trickin wit him
you trickin wit me, you trickin wit the 2 1 muthafuckin 3
I came from rags to riches
trustin no snitches
thats how we do on 9 C I X bitches
buck em, fuck em, and put em in the trash
and jump in the 600 Benz and dash

Nate Dogg-
Hold up Warren before you go just a couple things I got to say
Are you goin home, I wanna be alone
You need to take this... home

Chorus x3

03   Smokin' Me Out (03:40)

Ron Isley-
If you wanna be with me, yeah, let me hear you say Warren G, Warren G
If you wanna be with me, well well well, let me hear you say Warren G, Warren G

Warren G-
Smokin me out to the finish, I thought you knew,
I thought they knew, who was up in this,
Ron Isley, I's be Warren G,
Baby said would ya please come roll deep,
Chocolate Thai, I said I,
got the hennessey chaser, skirt you look fly
peepin them lips, hittin two finger sips,
on the 710 freeway, I straight dips
wit a fat one rolled up to puff
I'm ready to hit it and I won't quit it until I get enough
tokin nothing but the bomb thats without no doubt,
as she twist up another split she's straight smokin me out

(Chorus) Ron Isley-
She's smokin me out, smokin me out
smokin me out, smokin me out,
Oh she's smokin me out with the homey's love

Warren G-
I slinkin while I'm thinkin just how good it is,
to do it how we do it in the hood I live,
passin homies on the block, gettin major respect,
and by then y'all the hen dog is taken effect,
never panic hit Atlantic then I banked to right
pulled straight Nellin B's order steak and rice,
with the gravy, baby gets the shrimps and fries,
I'm diggin on her figure as I glimpse her thighs,
she's satisfied, I left the tip and dipped to get back
to twist another zag and to grab a six pack,
she went back, so we proceed to parlay,
everything is lovely and we doin it always

(Chorus) x2

This ain't no love ballad,
but see baby I gots to have it,
when I see that bomb I grab it, cuz its a habit,
so dont come with that toe down stretch,
I ain't stressin, Long Beach baby keep smokin me out, she learned a lesson,
floatin high as a kite as I chill and lay low,
bumpin time is collected, sunday nights on the radio
oh, I forgot, how lit I was, crazy glued to the seat
dog said she need,
so conversation ain't needed,
when she know that I'm weeded,
headin to the hotel to regulate it and beat it
I exhaled, I seen a cloud of smoke,
I banged it to the boogie by my head and got locced

(Chorus) x6

04   Reverend Eazy Dick (00:30)

05   Reality (03:30)

06   Interlude (00:16)

07   Young Fun (03:36)

He young, he young, he young, he young,
She young, she young, she young, she young,
He young, he young, he young, he young,
She young, she young, she young, she young

I hit the 21 blocks each and every day
niggaz peepin they shoulders in each and every way
no sweat, cuz if I sweat it
I stay true to the game, so I'm not gonna let it
take control of me, fool you can roll with me
from OG to OG you can reminisce with me
about the hutch, about the milk bowl,
two dee took a bank left knockin fools out on
it was me baby boppa and the homey tic
all my folks locked down, gotta make it legit
so I'm a spit, and keep my spittin straight real
I know that you can feel penetentiary steel
locked down all around for the homies touchin down
when my rags get out you walk a safe ground (walk a safe ground)
cuz I'm a let them ride killah
you betta stay inside and keep yo shit on yo side nigga
set trippin wit me
because what I see is greenery, and thats all I see
as the day gets older, dont tweak, take a look over your shoulder

(Chorus) x2
Young, dumb, full of fun
dum diddy dum diddy you'll get done

[Knee-Hi]
Livin this life
I can't help but dis my dream
maybe since West anthems(?) I want to roll a beam
clean, but only had to be a mex
now hopefully that 850 lookin spiffy, will come next
I bounced to 120 and Figueroa
yeah, my house posted across from the store
just like that hit by the drive way and park in the back
1986 fools is known to jack
around this click of the hood you found no punks
many gang bangers, dope fiends and drunks
I learned, bunny hops, still rocks and cops
I ran out of boys with toys
and nights sees on hot days
just apple sticks on death
RC cola to break a sweat
now I bet that everybody's comin up
if you turnin the wrong street
lie you bout to get stuck
now what

(Chorus)

[Jayo Felony]
I ain't no muthaufuckin murdera (nigga) I'm a killah
cuz murderers get life nigga and killaz keep killin
I'd ratha die with my eyes open
so I can see how these muthafuckaz wanna do me
they set me free bullet loco head with the beat what
and these niggaz know they have to retreat when I speak
the younger dumb wanna have some fun
and drinkin liqour way before the age of 21
so how you figure that'll never put in work for that hood he love
you never paid him no attention so who should he love
and to keep a strap on him or a phat sack on him
and some bomb but be patrollin the hood
ran a hoe's name through the mud
and these crooked's stick a strap in your mouth, without a doubt
thats the reason got lost and turned out
he shoulda keep patient
but you was still money chasin
a double life is what that young nigga facin
and all because he was

08   What We Go Through (03:41)

09   We Brings Heat (03:46)

10   Can You Feel It (03:20)

11   Transformers (03:01)

12   Reel Tight (00:20)

13   Relax Ya Mind (03:29)

14   To All D.J.'s (03:00)

15   Back Up (03:46)

(Now, now go) You got me fucked up (Why?) Cuz I'm a bad muthafucka and you can't understand me (Chorus) MCs dont know how we puts it down K-9 and P-C from East to North town We be bound by honor, or whoever wants to step So either ya keep on steppin or we takes ya automatic weapon [P-C] Nigga back up, see I came to stack up bodies like hits, whats that you wanted to act up, and diss the click a sister, put my niggaz up wetted the grave you wanted to get richer, so offer your beats that made by fade cascade, because yo ass is soapy Mr. Locc you wanna be Mr. low key when yo ass used to be low key you know me so act like you know my click and I'm an assist to kick the shit that you and MD could never get with and speakin of MD, another nigga that used to be from my click act like he double to down, but when it go down, go down he splits this is strictly for all of y'all niggaz that diss me y'all think y'all skills is up to par well stars come out and get me now we got these niggaz out on the streets, and a place to lay my gun? I guess you could say that I got hostess, in more ways than one y'all keep clickin and clickin, my chips continue to stack up? but while you dissin and dissin I'm a tell you niggaz to back up cuz (Chorus) x2 MCs dont know how we puts it down K-9 and P-C from East to North town We be bound by honor, or whoever wants to step So either ya keep on steppin or we takes ya automatic weapon [K-9] (Hey K-9 what about Mad Dog) Well let that nigga loose no better yet just let the dog loose so he could fetch, goin to Vegas to see what he catch ain't gonna be no cases just tell him what he faces and watch him snitch while I lay up in Vegas its either the Raiders or the switch so he did switched over like electric shocks Moms got on pregnant static so they suspected pops did they know about me Mr. K-9 see, clicksta in deep, in your Mama's panties did they know that I was bangin it where at, oh your Daddy's bread be back now she's pregnant and I ain't claimin it your husband's cryin cuz he feels like a chump what, your son is fit to die and he ain't nuthin but a punk huh she can't sayin nuthin cuz she needs my support? but not for the child see the hooker's tryin to take him to court and I'm a body like Jah but accept with mo mil we probably wasmeant for each other cuz we two niggaz they gave us both jams (Chorus) x2 MCs dont know how we puts it down K-9 and P-C from East to North town We be bound by honor, or whoever wants to step So either ya keep on steppin or we takes ya automatic weapon So when the east is in the(when the north is in the house) Back up, back up So when the west is in the(when the south is in the house) Back up, back up So when the east is in the(when the north is in the house) Back up, back up So when the west is in the(when the south is in the house) Back up, back up So my click is in the (when da click is in the house) Back up, back up So when K-9 is in the (when K-9 is in the house) Back up, back up So when P-C is in the (when P-C is in the house) Back up, back up When Warren G is in the (when Warren G is in the house) Back up, back up (Chorus) x4 MCs dont know how we puts it down K-9 and P-C from East to North town We be bound by honor, or whoever wants to step So either ya keep on steppin or we takes ya automatic weapon

16   What's Love Got to Do With It (04:15)

17   I Shot the Sheriff (04:06)

1-I shot the sheriff...

Verse 1:

I had to shoot the sheriff it was justifiable
he mistaked me for somebody who was liable
for all tha many murders l.a and war fields
we keep makin war shields
streets keep souls
young brothers loose control
I seem to maintain through this
watch where ya kick it they'll put you in a twist
and it aint nobody like my down ass hommie
and tha police always tryin to pin some bullshit on me
I keep away from fools
they do crime and it attracts cops
cops got guns and cuffs
and cells to stuff you in

--ChorUs--

Verse 2:

They tryin' to stick with some bullshit that I did not do
you know who
the boys in blue
there they go with they assumpitons
slaverys over let us have somethin'
why you wanna pull me over?
'cause I'm bumpin?


I just made a new song
my profession is music
your profession is protection with gats
then use it on him when he's tryin' to take my life away
I'm just tryin' to live my life today
so I keep away from fools they do crime it attract cops
cops got guns and cuffs
and cells to stuff you in

--Chorus--

Verse 3:

I shot the sheriff
I didn't shoot the deputiy I didn't have to
'cause in this game they always tryin' to blast you
and leave it to tha cops to find out who did the murder
they harrase tha wrong clan and arrest tha wrong man
the hommie day-dog got strapped but thats okay
'cause I'm gonna work for life
so he can see another day
a hommies a hommie
a fake is a snake
straight game from tha pen from tha hommie jake
so I keep away from fools they do crime it attract cops
cops got guns and cuffs
and cells to stuff you in

18   What's Love Got to Do With It (03:53)

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