Disco de Kurupt: “Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey [Clean]”

Kurupt is part of the reason why I enjoy west coast rap music. After an excellent sophomore album

back in '99, he comes again two years later with Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey. This album still has that west coast sound, which is what I like to hear from Kurupt.

What had me skeptical was the questionable lead single "It's Over Now" with Natina Reed (who really should have stuck to singing because she cannot rap), because it was so pop frendly. But other songs on here redeem that song from making the album a loss. One of the great songs here is "Can't Go Wrong" with DJ Quik and Butch Cassady. Another dope song is the song, "The Hardest Muthaf*****" featuring Xzibit, MC Ren (who rips a nice verse), and Nate Dogg which I really like. And whats a Kurupt album without Daz making an appearance (they're paired together like Redman and Method Man.)? Daz lays down some vocals on "Gangsta's" and "F Da World" two standout songs.

Although this album is dope, it isn't

. A lot of these songs here are hit and miss as well. As I mentioned before "It's Over Now" was unappealing. Infact, the beginning of the album starts off real slow and pickes up when you hit the sixth track. Also some of the songs send the album into a different direction like the R&B sounding song "Sunshine" with Jon B, and the political type song "Kuruption" with Everlast's singing. They're not bad tracks, but if you're used to hearing Kurupt, you will be a little thrown off.

But overall Kurupt's third album is worth your time. You still get those tracks that made you love Kurupt and Tha Dogg Pound to begin with. And I really cannot complain, because I had to let this album grow on me. To be honest, it was actually better than I thought. I slept on this album back in '01, and found this album in the used CD bin at the store, and decided to give it a listen. If you're a fan of Kurupt or Tha Dogg Pound in general, I recommend this album to you. Peace.

Lyrics: B+

Production: B

Guest Appearances: B+

Musical Vibes: B

Top 5 Favorite Tracks:

1. The Hardest Muthaf***** (featuring Xzibit, MC Ren, and Nate Dogg)

2. F Tha World (featuring Daz)

3. Can't Go Wrong (featuring DJ Quik and Butch Cassidy)

4. Kuruption (featuring Everlast)

5. Gangsta's (featuring Daz and Mike Dean)

Honorable Mention Tracks:

1. At It Again

2. Sunshine (featuring Jon B)

When Kurupt changed his style around(which was better the way it was)after he left Deathrow, I was still able to enjoy albums like Kuruption and Tha Streetz Iz A Mutha but this album left a peculiar taste in my mouth. The Good: On Da Grind and Gangstas(both featuring Daz) are vintage Dogg Pound tracks. On, On Site is as solid as Kurupt gets and Xzibit and Mc Ren join in on The Hardest(the best song on here) as all three kick it over a cold Fred Wreck beat. Just Dont Give A is runner up for the second best song on here. Sorry to say but that's it. The Bad: Space Boogie is so bad its funny and Hate On Me is made worser with a corny verse from the ever so wack Soopafly. Lay It On Back is pure dookie and so is the Snoop assisted Bring Back That G. The DJ Quik assisted Cant Go Wrong is terrible and that has to be the worst beat that Quik has ever produced! The Ugly: It's Over(which features Kurupt's former wife Natina and member of that weird girl group Blaque)and At It Again are two commercial bloopers that should have never seen the light of day on this album. Sunshine is absolutely dreadful as Jon B pumps lifeless vocals into a lifeless track. Kurupt tries to get deep on Kuruption(which features Everlast) but since Kurupt is about as deep as a puddle of pee, the song fails to make sense. Da World which features Daz ends the album as these two kick forgettable verses over a corny wannabe gangsta sounding beat. Bottom Line: Space Boogie is the worst album Kurupt ever made. Even though Against The Grain wasnt anything to talk about, it was better than this.

If you liked tha "streets iz a mutha", than you have to get this cd. Kurupt is the best lyrical raper and the westcoast. So if you like that hardcore,gansta,DPG style I high recommend kurupts new album "Space Boogie:Smoke Oddessey". Oh yeah and if you like Xzbit,Snoop,Mc Ren,Butch Cassidy,Nate Dogg,Daz,Bad Azz and others, there on the album too. GET THIS ALBUM!

Kurupt couldn't do anything wack if he tried his hardest. Kurupt is definitely one of the best, most talented MCs/musicians/producers out there, without question. Would you expect anything less than the most amount of stars from him? I certainly wouldn't. Kurupt is smooth, versatile, flexible. He covers all of the ground of a creative genius. All of his guests are fantastic. I commend him highly on his choice of associates. Kurupt is always on the rise, can't stop, won't stop! Big up to K-U-R-U-P-T and crew. You did it again.