Don't Be Saprize
Encyclopedia
Don't Be Saprize is the debut album by the Road Dawgs
, released on March 23, 1999 through Virgin Records
.
, were closely associated with Naughty by Nature
. The duo appeared on several songs by Naughty by Nature and Rottin Razkals in 1993 and 1995 but were unable to get a record deal. In 1998 the duo began working with Mack 10
and inked a deal with Virgin Records
, who placed the Road Dawgs in its sublabel Noo Trybe. The duo then began work on their debut album, Don't Be Saprize.
Don't Be Saprize featured production from the Road Dawgs themselves, Clinton "Payback" Sands, Greg Royal and Naughty by Nature producer Kay Gee, who produced the song "Break Yourself" with Darren Lighty
. The album also featured guest appearances from several prominent west coast rappers, including Mack 10, Ice Cube
and Mc Eiht
.
The album's lone single was "Bouncin'", it also had a promotional music video released for it. Mack 10 performed the chorus for the song and also appeared in the video.
. It peaked on the week of April 10, 1999 and dropped off the chart the following week.
Allmusic's Jon Azpiri gave the album 1.5 stars out of a possible five and had this to say about the album "...The group seems incapable of creating a consistent album. Lyrically, many of the tracks on the album, like "Gangbang Shit" and "Murderfest 99, wallow in ignorance. Aside from the single "Bouncin," there is little to recommend on this album."
Road Dawgs
The Road Dawgs were an American hip hop duo composed of G-Luv and Swamp Rat. They started their career as associates of Naughty by Nature in 1993. They then signed a deal with Mack 10's Hoo-Bangin' Records in the late 90s and issued their only album in 1999 entitled Don't Be Saprize.The duo first...
, released on March 23, 1999 through Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
.
Background
The Road Dawgs first started out in 1993 and, along with the Rottin RazkalsRottin Razkals
The Rottin Razkals were an American hip hop group signed to Motown Records's sub-label, Mad Sounds Recordings. Composed of three members, Chap, Fam, and Diesel, the group was closely associated with Naughty by Nature, first appearing on their 1993 album, 19 Naughty III on the song "Knock Em Out Da...
, were closely associated with Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature are a Grammy Award-winning American hip hop trio from East Orange, New Jersey that at the time of its formation in 1989 consisted of Treach, Vin Rock, and the DJ Kay Gee...
. The duo appeared on several songs by Naughty by Nature and Rottin Razkals in 1993 and 1995 but were unable to get a record deal. In 1998 the duo began working with Mack 10
Mack 10
Dedrick Rolison, , better known by his stage name Mack 10 is an American rapper and actor. He was a member of hip hop trio Westside Connection, along with Ice Cube and WC...
and inked a deal with Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
, who placed the Road Dawgs in its sublabel Noo Trybe. The duo then began work on their debut album, Don't Be Saprize.
Don't Be Saprize featured production from the Road Dawgs themselves, Clinton "Payback" Sands, Greg Royal and Naughty by Nature producer Kay Gee, who produced the song "Break Yourself" with Darren Lighty
Darren Lighty
Darren "D - Life" Lighty is a well rounded and experienced African American record producer/song writer. Best known for his collaborations with KayGee Darren "D - Life" Lighty is a well rounded and experienced African American record producer/song writer. Best known for his collaborations with...
. The album also featured guest appearances from several prominent west coast rappers, including Mack 10, Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
and Mc Eiht
MC Eiht
Aaron Tyler , better known by his stage name MC Eiht, is an American rapper. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in KRS-One's name. He chose Eiht for its links to "hood culture", including 8Ball and .38 caliber firearms...
.
The album's lone single was "Bouncin'", it also had a promotional music video released for it. Mack 10 performed the chorus for the song and also appeared in the video.
Reception
The album was neither a critical nor commercial success. Don't be Saprize only made it to No. 91 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop AlbumsTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
. It peaked on the week of April 10, 1999 and dropped off the chart the following week.
Allmusic's Jon Azpiri gave the album 1.5 stars out of a possible five and had this to say about the album "...The group seems incapable of creating a consistent album. Lyrically, many of the tracks on the album, like "Gangbang Shit" and "Murderfest 99, wallow in ignorance. Aside from the single "Bouncin," there is little to recommend on this album."
Track listing
- "The Block"- :27
- "Bouncin'"- 4:42 (featuring Mack 10Mack 10Dedrick Rolison, , better known by his stage name Mack 10 is an American rapper and actor. He was a member of hip hop trio Westside Connection, along with Ice Cube and WC...
) - "Bonifide"- 3:24 (featuring Ms. Toi)
- "Gang Bang Shit"- 4:51 (featuring Squeak Ru)
- "Break Yourself"- 4:04 (featuring Vernell Sales)
- "Qrown Me"- 4:36 (featuring Squeak Ru)
- "Murderfest 99"- 4:42 (featuring Mack 10, Ice CubeIce CubeO'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, Mc EihtMC EihtAaron Tyler , better known by his stage name MC Eiht, is an American rapper. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in KRS-One's name. He chose Eiht for its links to "hood culture", including 8Ball and .38 caliber firearms...
and Boo Kapone) - "Match Made"- 4:05
- "Do a Lick"- :35
- "My Life"- 4:35
- "You Ain't Know"- 3:34 (featuring Ice Cube and Mack Ten)
- "Klientel"- 5:17
- "Sick the Dawgs"- :16
- "Don't Be Saprize"- 4:15
Charts
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop | 91 |
Personnel
- Boo Kapone - Performer
- Mario Castellanos - Photography
- Jason Clark - Artwork, Art Direction, Design
- Ice Cube - Performer
- Ken Johnston - Engineer
- Kay Gee - Producer, Mixing
- Adam Kudzin - Mixing
- Darren Lighty - Producer
- Mack 10 - Performer, Executive Producer
- MC Eiht - Performer
- Mr. Payback - Producer
- Ms. Toi - Performer
- Road Dawgs - Percussion, Producer, Mixing
- Greg Royal - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
- Vernell Sales - Performer
- Eddy Schreyer - Mastering
- Michele Smith - Art Direction
- Squeek-Ru - Performer