Album: Snoop Dog, Mailce N Wonderland (Priority)

Recently appointed creative chairman of Priority Records, Snoop is, in his words, "tha Dogg Father" of the West Coast rap scene.

The label’s first release since the appointment is this.Maybe he’s spinning toomany plates, but for too much of MNW he’s on autopilot. His slinky flow is intact, but he spends too long re -affirming his down-withthe- hood credentials. Or acting the mentor to newcomers. “Special”, which reunites Snoop with Pharrell and picks up where “Beautiful” left off, frankly sucks. Drop it like it’s lukewarm.