Dogg Food (1996)

As might be expected from its pedigree — producer Dat Nigga Daz (Delmar Arnaud) — Tha Dogg Pound's much-hyped debut plays almost like a dictionary entry for ''Long Beach rap.'' But that doesn't translate into formula. Although anchored by familiar, rib-shuddering Jeep beats and eerily dazed synths, buckshot rapping spices up Dogg Food's predominantly loping gait, and soulful R&B swing, touches of dancehall, and old-school vocals look beyond SoCal. The violent posturing and sexual boasts (most comical on ''If We All F---'') will likely irk Dole & Co. But as an album, Dogg Food should give indigestion only to the already constipated.