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Mr Dog is a name that should be synonymous with the city of Tacoma as he is one of the artists who helped pave the way for not just his city but the Northwest. He came a long way from the artist who was pedaling his “Getting Paid” disc trying to make a name for himself. Following him since his induction the noticeable trend from project to project is he does it just that much bigger each time. People might have vivid memories of him being one of the only local artists to have his posters plastered all over Blockbuster Music like he was a major artist when his first official album “Wet” was released. Fast forward ten plus years later and Mr Dog is still here with his latest album “Streets Of The Tac” which features some heavy hitters like Snoop Dogg, Crooked I, Kokane, Matt Blaque and Mistah Fab.

The album’s biggest song due to its recent video release “Hilltop” is an ode to neighborhood Mr Dog calls home and he paints a picture that any listener’s imagination can envision. Known to be one of the more notorious neighborhoods in the 80’s and 90’s he gives you a slideshow from past to present when it comes to life on the Hill. The anthem-esque mobbed out track with the Roc Phella assisted true talkbox hook makes for a surefire fan favorite. On “It’s Nothin” Mr Dog collaborates with Eastern Washington’s hardest group Certified on a track produced by Kuddie Fresh that reminisces of something that Dr Dre would co-sign. The combination of Church & Swindle combine with the Tac-Town boss to make some G’d up northwest mob music.

Probably the biggest track on the album is “Fucc W/Cuzz” which has Roc Phella bringing you back to the 90’s production wise and features from Kokane, Snoop Dogg, and Crooked I. The song is west coast to a T and instantly puts you in the mind frame of plenty of other classic west coast classics from the past. Kokane laces the track with his one of kind hook abilities while Dog, Crooked I, and Snoop all drop verses hard verses one after another. Probably the most personal track Mr Dog has done in his career is “Dear Dad” and not to take away from his past work but this track is deep. He entrenches you from start to finish about his relationship with his father you can feel his pain from verse to verse.

Matt Blaque has brought a whole new level of sexy when he lends his hand to hook duties. The bay area hook maestro links with Mr Dog on “Holla @ Ya Guy” and the two make something the ladies can appreciate. Mr Dog keeps it on a pimpish pop a bottle feel that just sets the mood for a good soothing track. The last track on the album “Business Men” features two up and coming artists, you have Leezy Soprano and Key Loom who are both vicious in their own right. It might not be the most appealing song on the album but the trio drops some good verses about their tenacity on being Business Men in this industry.

The production on the album courtesy of Kuddie Fresh, Eugenius, Roc Phella, Klypso, Funk Daddy, West Coast Stone was for the most part a mixture of current and past. Throughout the album you feel like your back in the 90’s rocking to the sounds that made the west coast famous. All artists hit a peaking point but Mr Dog even after all these years shows his growth. The signature “Underwater Flow” sounds refined throughout the album and Mr Dog touts a natural confidence which solidifies his veteran status. In a day and age where one hit wonders rule the radio it often sets an artist’s aspirations solely on becoming the next big thing. An all too often trend Mr Dog shows why he has had longevity in this industry by staying true to the sound that gained him a fan base initially. As the saying goes things get better with age the same can be said about Mr Dog and his latest album “Streets Of Tha Tac” which is his best work to date.