The Hard Way | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 17, 2004 | |||
Recorded | 2002–2004 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 71:59 | |||
Label |
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Producer |
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Snoop Dogg chronology | ||||
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Nate Dogg chronology | ||||
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Warren G chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Hard Way | ||||
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The Hard Way is the only album from American hip hop trio 213, which consisted of Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg. It was released on August 17, 2004, under Doggystyle Records, G-Funk Entertainment, Dogg Foundation, TVT Records.
Reception
[edit]Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Blender | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | C+[3] |
HipHopDX | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
RapReviews | 5.5/10[5] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Stylus | 6/10[7] |
Vibe | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Hard Way received mixed to positive reviews from music critics. Jason Birchmeier of AllMusic especially praised Warren G for "rapping tougher and more gangsta than usual."[1] For HipHopDX, K.B. Tindal described the album as containing "[c]risp beats, sharp hooks, and straight lyrics."[4] Rating the album three out of four stars, Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone called 213 an "excellent G-funk-era-revival supergroup."[6]
Grading the album with a C-plus, Michael Endelman of Entertainment Weekly compared the group to the 2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers, because the album "boasts marquee talent but doesn’t quite deliver the championship trophy."[3] Matt Barone of RapReviews scored the album 5.5 out of 10 points for "overly generic left coast production and uninspired verses."[5] Scott McKeating of Stylus rated the album six points out of 10, in part due to lackluster lyrics: "Snoop and Nate seem to have a problem going longer than a few bars without dropping some lines about 'dirty ass hoes.'"[7] Rondell Conway of Vibe rated the album with 2.5 out of five due to 213 offering what he called "obsolete subject matter" despite "nostalgically offer[ing] its signature G-funk sound."[8]
Commercial performance
[edit]The Hard Way debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200, selling 95,000 copies in its first week.[9] The album debuted at top on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[10]
"So Fly" was released on July 6, 2004 at first single from the album. The song reached at number 2 on US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.
The official debut retail single was "Groupie Luv", which was also accompanied by a promo video. It was directed by Chris Robinson and was filmed in Snoop Dogg's own house (see also Still a G Thang). It is also the video debut for dancer Criscilla Crossland. "Groupie Luv" topped at number 26 on Billboard Hot 100 Airplay.
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Intro" | Fredwreck | 1:49 | |
2. | "Twist Yo' Body" |
| Hi-Tek | 3:28 |
3. | "Absolutely" |
| Quaze | 4:00 |
4. | "Keep It Gangsta" |
| B Sharp | 4:36 |
5. | "Run On Up" |
| Tha Chill | 3:33 |
6. | "Groupie Luv" |
| DJ Pooh | 3:52 |
7. | "Lonely Girl" |
| Nottz | 4:04 |
8. | "Another Summer" (featuring LaToiya Williams) |
| West | 4:12 |
9. | "213 tha Gangsta Clicc" |
| Leimberg | 3:52 |
10. | "Gotta Find a Way" |
|
| 3:25 |
11. | "Ups & Downs" (featuring Boki) |
|
| 3:53 |
12. | "Joysticc" |
|
| 4:48 |
13. | "Rick James" (Interlude) |
| Fredwreck | 0:36 |
14. | "Mary Jane" |
| Quaze | 3:48 |
15. | "MLK" |
| B Sharp | 3:44 |
16. | "Lil Girl" |
| Michael Angelo | 3:19 |
17. | "My Dirty Ho" |
| Tha Bizness | 4:12 |
18. | "Appreciation" |
| Tha Bizness | 4:06 |
19. | "So Fly" |
| Missy Elliott | 4:07 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
20. | "Whistle While You Hustle" (featuring Daz Dillinger and Soopafly) |
| Jelly Roll | 2:35 |
Notes
- "Twist Yo' Body" features backing vocals performed by Dion.
- "Rick James" (Interlude) features vocals performed by Dave Chappelle.
Sample credits
- "Keep It Gangsta" contains an interpolation of "Black Cow" performed by Steely Dan.
- "Groupie Luv" contains an interpolation of "Chameleon" performed by Herbie Hancock, Paul Jackson, Harvey Mason and Bennie Maupin.
- "Another Summer" contains excerpts of "Intimate Friends" performed by Eddie Kendricks.
- "Gotta Find a Way" contains excerpts of "Rejoice" performed by the Emotions.
- "Joysticc" contains an interpolation of "Juicy Fruit" performed by James Mtume.
- "Mary Jane" contains excerpts of "It's Time" performed by the Jungle Brothers.
- "MLK" contains an interpolation of "Riding High" performed by Faze-O.
- "My Dirty Ho" contains an interpolation of "The Rain" performed by Oran "Juice" Jones. It also samples Lacrimosa (Requiem) in Requiem (Mozart).
- "So Fly" contains excerpts of the recording "So Gone" performed by Monica and excerpts of "You Are Number 1" performed by The Whispers.
Personnel
[edit]
Artists
Technical personnel
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Record producers
Additional personnel
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Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
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Year-end charts[edit]
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Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[24] | Gold | 50,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason (August 10, 2004). "213: The Hard Way". All Music Guide. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ Beato, G. (August 17, 2004). "Snoop Dogg and his childhood pals strut through a reunion set". Blender. Archived from the original on March 24, 2005. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ a b Endelman, Michael (September 10, 2004). "The Hard Way (2004)". Entertainment Weekly. No. 782–783. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ a b Tindal, K.B. (August 31, 2004). "213 - The Hard Way". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ a b Barone, Matt (August 17, 2004). "213's The Hard Way". RapReviews.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2004.
- ^ a b "213: The Hard Way". Rolling Stone. September 2, 2004. Archived from the original on September 30, 2004. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ a b McKeating, Scott (September 15, 2004). "213: The Hard Way". Stylus. Archived from the original on November 8, 2004. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ a b Conway, Rondell (September 2004), "213 – The Hard Way (TVT)", Vibe, vol. 12, no. 9, p. 236, archived from the original on March 9, 2005, retrieved August 10, 2018
- ^ Whitmire, Margo (2004-08-25). "'NOW 16' Is No. 1 Again". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-02-15.
- ^ "Now Takes Down Ashlee; 213 Stomps in at #4 on Albums Chart". MTV. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – 213 – The Hard Way". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – 213 – The Hard Way" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
- ^ "213 Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
- ^ "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. October 7, 2004. Archived from the original on October 10, 2004. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – 213 – The Hard Way" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – 213 – The Hard Way" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ "Charts.nz – 213 – The Hard Way". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – 213 – The Hard Way". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "213 Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ "213 Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- ^ "213 Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
- ^ "Best of 2004 – R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – 213 – Hard Way". Music Canada.