IT IS sometimes hard to remember that Long Beach’s Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus was briefly the most controversial man in music. His first visit to the UK in 1994 was welcomed by tabloid front pages demanding “Kick this evil bastard out”, referring to his involvement in a murder trial (he was later acquitted).

Nowadays, Eminem and a volatile cast of younger gangsta rappers grapple for headline infamy. Snoop, meanwhile, leads a quieter family life. His records since 1993’s debut, Doggystyle, have been underwhelming affairs. Still, a guest slot on Dr Dre’s 2001 proved that he remained a masterful rapper.

Better still, Paid Tha Cost to Be Da Bo$$ is an entirely convincing comeback — his best album since that debut. There are still a few daft macho postures, but in the main this is a funny and invigorating mix of thumping party tunes, scrupulously bad spelling and curious sentimentality.

In common with the best recent hip-hop albums, the outstanding work here is done by the Neptunes, currently the world’s most fêted production team. On Beaturiful and From Tha Chuuuch to Da Palace you can hear why, as they display a lightness of touch to make digital pop that is at once innovative and hugely accessible. The quality rarely wavers over 20 tracks, taking in a superb oral sex- orientated duel with Jay-Z, Lollipop, and audacious remakes of Eric B. & Rakim’s classic Paid in Full (Paper’d Up) and the Batman theme.

This is long, a little tacky and sleazy, but unfailingly entertaining. (Rating: 4/5)

John Mulvey

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