DPGC: U Know What I'm Throwin' Up

by Jason BirchmeierFollowing a number of mixtape-like releases, DPGC: U Know What I'm Throwin' Up finds Daz Dillinger back in good shape. Those mixtapes offered plenty of value for your dollar, but they weren't particularly well-crafted releases, emphasizing guest appearances rather than songwriting. In contrast, DPGC manages to emphasize both: there's a wealth of collaborations here (practically every track, in fact), but there's also a welcomed emphasis on developing the tracks into actual songs. This makes it one of Daz's better releases during the early 2000s, right up there with his other "albums" like Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back (1998), R.A.W. (2000), and This Is the Life I Lead (2002). His collaborations with Snoop Dogg and Soopafly are particularly noteworthy, and the excessive number of skits (practically every other track) is a mixed blessing. They're insightful and often funny but lose their charm after repeated listens. Thankfully, they're short and easy to skip over. Overall, DPGC is one of Daz's best and one to look for if you're a fan.