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.
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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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Blender | [2] |
Entertainment Weekly | C+[3] |
HipHopDX | [4] |
RapReviews | 5.5/10[5] |
Rolling Stone | [6] |
Stylus | 6/10[7] |
Vibe | [8] |
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]
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.
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" |
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| 3:25 |
11. | "Ups & Downs" (featuring Boki) |
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| 3:53 |
12. | "Joysticc" |
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| 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 |
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20. | "Whistle While You Hustle" (featuring Daz Dillinger and Soopafly) |
| Jelly Roll | 2:35 |
Notes
Sample credits
Artists
Technical personnel
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Record producers
Additional personnel
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Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Canada (Music Canada)[24] | Gold | 50,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |