When it comes to first-generation West Coast gangsta rappers, they don't come much more old-school than
Kurupt, who first appeared as a contributor to
Dr. Dre's seminal The Chronic. He subsequently rose to stardom on his own and has been around long enough to experience plenty of ups and downs. Those peaks and valleys seem to inform
Same Day, Different Sh*t,
Kurupt's first release for
Snoop Dogg's Dog Pound Gangstaz label. Musically, it could still be the mid-'90s, with the classic gangsta/G-funk sound in full effect, but the intensity of the lyrics bespeaks a bevy of hard-won lessons. And when the melodic R&B flavor of "What Can I Do" kicks in, it's clear that
Kurupt has learned some new tricks along the way as well.