Tha Eastsidaz

Lore & Background

The album received generally positive reviews from music critics. Commercially, it debuted at number 5 on the US Billboard 200, selling 88,000 copies in its first week, and was certified Platinum on October 10, 2000. Despite only two songs being released as singles, the group produced four official music videos for songs off the album: "Dogghouse" featuring Rappin' 4-Tay & Twinz, "G'd Up" featuring Butch Cassidy (directed by Diane Martel), "Got Beef" featuring Jayo Felony & Sylk-E. Fine (directed by Chris Robinson), and "Now We Lay 'Em Down" featuring Kokane.

In Their Own Story

The album was recorded at three studios in Hollywood, California: Dogghouse Studio, Music Grinder, and Skip Saylor Recording. Snoop Dogg served as executive producer alongside his younger brother Bing Worthington, Jr. The project was released on February 1, 2000, through Dogghouse Records and TVT Records. In its first week, Tha Eastsidaz sold 100,000 copies, landing at number 8 on the US Billboard 200. By October 11, 2000, it had earned Platinum certification.

Reader's Guide

Tha Eastsidaz is the debut album by the group of the same name, released on February 1, 2000. It was executive produced by Snoop Dogg and his brother Bing Worthington, Jr. The album was recorded at three Hollywood studios: Dogghouse Studio, Music Grinder, and Skip Saylor Recording. Most of its songs were performed live on the Hustler rap-porn compilation Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle XXX DVD. The album received generally positive reviews from critics. It debuted at number 8 on the US Billboard 200, selling 100,000 copies in its first week, and was certified Platinum on October 11, 2000. Six music videos were made for the album: "Dogghouse" (featuring Rappin' 4-Tay & Twinz), "G'd Up" (featuring Butch Cassidy, directed by Diane Martel), "Got Beef" (featuring Jayo Felony & Sylk-E. Fine, directed by Chris Robinson), "Now We Lay 'Em Down" (featuring Kokane), "Tha Eastsidaz", and "The Gangsta in Deee".

Did You Know?

• The album was recorded at three Hollywood studios: Dogghouse Studio, Music Grinder, and Skip Saylor Recording.
• Snoop Dogg's cousin (and manager) Bing Worthington, Jr. is credited as an executive producer of the project.
• The album sold 88,000 copies in its first week and debuted at number 5 on the US Billboard 200.
• Despite only two singles, the group made four official music videos for songs off the album.

Debut Album Origins

Snoop Dogg Presents: Tha Eastsidaz stands as the inaugural studio effort from the American gangsta rap collective known as Tha Eastsidaz. Released on February 1, 2000, this project was a collaborative venture between Dogghouse Records and TVT Records, marking a significant moment in early 2000s hip-hop history. The recording process took place across several prestigious facilities in Hollywood, California, specifically utilizing Dogghouse Studio, Music Grinder, and Skip Saylor Recording to craft their signature sound. Executive production duties were shared by the group's mentor, Snoop Dogg, alongside his younger brother Bing Worthington, Jr., ensuring a familial touch guided the project from start to finish. This album served as more than just a musical release; it was a curated presentation of the group's identity under the watchful eye of one of West Coast rap's most iconic figures.

Commercial Success and Critical Acclaim

Upon its arrival, the album achieved immediate commercial traction, debuting at number eight on the prestigious US Billboard 200 chart. This impressive entry was fueled by robust first-week sales totaling 100,000 copies, demonstrating a strong fanbase eager for new material from the Dogg Pound circle. The industry quickly recognized this success, awarding the project Platinum certification on October 11, 2000, just eight months after its initial launch. Beyond the numbers, the album garnered generally positive reviews from music critics who appreciated the group's delivery and production quality. This combination of high sales figures and favorable critical reception solidified Tha Eastsidaz as a legitimate force in the rap landscape during their debut year.

Visual Media and Single Strategy

Although only two tracks were officially released as singles, the group adopted an aggressive visual strategy by producing six distinct music videos to promote the album. This extensive video campaign included high-profile collaborations such as 'Dogghouse,' which featured Rappin' 4-Tay and Twinz, and 'G'd Up,' starring Butch Cassidy under the direction of Diane Martel. Other notable visual releases included 'Got Beef' with Jayo Felony and Sylk-E. Fine, directed by Chris Robinson, alongside videos for 'Now We Lay 'Em Down,' 'Tha Eastsidaz,' and 'The Gangsta in Deee.' This approach allowed the group to maximize their exposure across music television channels despite a limited single rotation strategy, ensuring their presence remained dominant throughout the album's lifecycle.

Live Performances and Media Integration

A unique aspect of the album's creation was its deep integration with live performance media. Most of the songs featured on the record were originally performed live during the production of Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle XXX DVD, a controversial rap-porn compilation that blended music with adult entertainment themes. This origin story provided the tracks with an authentic, unfiltered energy that resonated with fans familiar with the group's stage presence. By capturing these live moments and refining them for the studio release, Tha Eastsidaz bridged the gap between their raw performance style and polished album production. This connection to the DVD project highlighted Snoop Dogg's influence not just as a producer, but as a curator of content that pushed boundaries across different media formats.