Snoop Dogg - Duces ’n Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way

Duces 'N Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way, released on June 1st, 2001 via TVT Records, Doggy Style Records, and TVT Europe, does more than just add another layer to Snoop Dogg's discography. The album immediately establishes itself as a monument to collaboration, boasting an exceptional density that defies the usual standards of the late 90s and early 2000s. The strategy of maximum integration with Nate Dogg and Tha Eastsidaz on key tracks creates a collective sonic identity that transcends the simple addition of talents. It is on "Eastside Ridaz" that this strategy reaches its technical and artistic peak. Nate Dogg's intervention, an iconic figure in the genre who had already collaborated with Snoop on "Groupie" (Tha Doggfather, 1996), "Don't Tell" (No Limit Top Dogg, 1999), or even "Set It Off" and "Lay Low" (Tha Last Meal, 2000), brings here an unprecedented dimension of experience and historical weight. The addition of LaToiya Williams, a singer whose voice had already resonated on "I Believe in You" (Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$, 2002) or even "Cold Game" (Doggumentary, 2011), creates a perfect contrast with the rappers' flows. This maximum concentration of guests transforms the track into a true microscopic anthology of the Californian scene, where each voice brings its own color without ever drowning out the others. The collective energy is further reinforced on "Welcome 2 tha House", a title that perfectly illustrates the album's curatorial approach. On this track, Nate Dogg reappears, accompanying Tha Eastsidaz as well as the group Tha Angels here. This configuration creates a festive and communal atmosphere, where Nate Dogg's iconic figure serves as cement between the different members of the collective. The simultaneous presence of these three entities – two groups and a legendary solo artist – demonstrates a willingness to expand the West Coast rap ecosystem beyond usual restricted circles. The track functions like a generational bridge, linking Nate Dogg's heritage to the fresco being built by Snoop and Daz, while integrating the freshness brought by Tha Angels. Beyond purely musical collaborations, the album integrates a significant cultural dimension through "Crip Hop". This title, which is also part of the film Baby Boy and its corresponding soundtrack, includes LaToiya Williams and Tha Eastsidaz. The collaboration with LaToiya Williams on this specific track adds a distinct cinematic dimension, linking underground rap to the big Hollywood movie industry. This double belonging – studio album and soundtrack – reinforces the status of the album as a major cultural object of the era, capable of crossing boundaries between different media. LaToiya Williams' presence on this particular title highlights the duo's ability to adapt to the constraints of a cinematic production while maintaining their authentic rap identity. The curatorial strategy of Duces 'N Trayz extends well beyond collaborations with Snoop Dogg, integrating a constellation of artists that form a true West Coast ecosystem. On "Dogghouse in Your Mouth", track 12 acts as a major crossroads where King Lou, Kurupt, Mixmaster Spade, RBX, Ruff Dogg and Suga Free all meet around Tha Eastsidaz. This dense configuration demonstrates a willingness to assemble the iconic figures of Californian rap into a single discographic moment, creating a unique sonic density that defies the norm of solo-dominant albums of the era. The album closes on "Everywhere I Go", a title that marks the end of an artistic journey marked by maximum integration of external talents. This collaborative approach allowed the record to cross geographical and cultural boundaries, reaching 15th place on the Canadian Top 50 Albums chart for four consecutive weeks. The gold certification obtained on March 11, 2002, validates this strategy of opening up to unprecedented artistic diversity in a durable way. By integrating artists like Lil' Mo on "So Low" or Daddy V on "There Comes a Time", the album shows that Tha Eastsidaz did not just reproduce the codes established by Snoop Dogg, but were building their own collective identity capable of rivaling the biggest solo projects of the scene. The impact of this collaborative strategy is immediately reflected in solid commercial results. The album debuts at 4th place on the Billboard 200 in the United States with 116,000 copies sold during its first week, an exceptional performance for a record carried by a duo rather than a solo artist. It then remains on the charts for nine consecutive weeks, showing remarkable longevity in the musical landscape of the era. In Canada as well, it reaches 15th place on the Top 50 Albums and stays there for four weeks, proving that this collective approach resonated beyond American borders.

Technical Details

- Release: June 1st, 2001 - Label: TVT Records, Doggy Style Records, TVT Europe - Tracks: 20 - Opening / Closing: Intro / Everywhere I Go - Guests: Tha Eastsidaz, LaToiya Williams, Nate Dogg, Soopafly, Suga Free, Tha Angels, Kokane, Bad Azz, Butch Cassidy, King Lou, Kurupt, Mixmaster Spade … - Previous Album: Tha Last Meal (2000)