Dough Networkz is a music management executive & underground hip hop curator from Inglewood, California notable for having the duo DirtyDiggs produce his full-length studio debut LP Above Cloud Vision in the summer of 2019. He even helped curate an East to West compilation from Lord Mobb Music about a year & a half ago, turning the sophomore effort here into a double album except both discs were released a week apart from each other combining it to a total of 33 songs.
“Niyyah” by Osbe Chill & Tek is a soulful intro talking about being strong & wrong simultaneously whereas “A Day Late & $1 Short” by Boldy James & Trizz was a great lead single linking up to boast they’ve been getting money since prior to them getting laid for the first time. “Fake Dead” by Jason Martin formerly known as Problem, Jayson Cash & WeSSmont SSkeme brings a west coast vibe with Jason Martin having the best verse while “Dreamin’” by Big Twins soulfully feels like the hood is his.
Conway the Machine & Sirrealist join forces for the gully boom bap joint “Sawed Off” talking about getting your nose blown the fuck off if you stick it where it shouldn’t be leading into the cloudy “3 Hours Past Noon” by Jay Worthy boasts that it ain’t a party until he pulls up to the spot. The soulful “Never Knew” by Jameel Na’im X, King Akeem & Young Roddy admitting they didn’t think the love the trio have would be the way it is & “Sunsets Over Inglewood” by Domo Genesis proved to be another great single choice representing the southwest.
“Old Rules” by N8NOFACE angrily gives a middle finger to the kids who be calling him an old head when he feels like you should rightfully have pride in your shit just before “Automatic Lovers” by Airplane James & The Jack Moves switches gears stylistically departing from hip hop in favor of a smooth soul ballad. “Rap Camp” by Ab-Soul, Baron Davis, Dazy Lyn, LaRussell, Malachi & Mani Coolin is this cool 7 & a half minute posse cut while “Crime Networkz” by Crimeapple & RLX feels reminiscent of their recent collab album Los Pollos Hermanos.
Tha God Fahim jumps on top of this haunting instrumental throughout “Eyes of the Beholder” doing squats with the weight of the world on his shoulders while “Goodbye Twice” by Baron Davis & T.F. soulfully talks hitting the parlay like it’s Uncut Gems. The song “Lil Bobby” by Hyde Park Firebug & Traffic discusses the realest shit meaning more to them & “Play Your Role” by Cala the Prophet & Eastside K-Boy offers nothing more than advice.
“Don’t” by Drebo sets off Side B with a west coast g-funk banger with a hook reminiscent of the late, great Nate Dogg carrying over elements from that era onto “Black Bentley” by Black C & Lil Woofy Woof except both of them are showing off their gang ties. “Player Made” by Brodie Fresh & The Musalini hops over a sample to talk about them being the players they are while “Beverly Hills Car Club” by AJ Snow finds therapy within wiping down the rims of his ride.
Osbe Chill & Rome Streetz appear for the crooning “However” talking about getting rich while “Phone Call from Dough” by Westside Webb jazzily making it clear that he really be hustling & flowing out here staying in his own zone. “Cash Rules” by Kai Ca$h goes boom bap so he can explain that money talks while “West to East” by Flee Lord, MC Eiht & NHale perfectly represents both Queens, New York & the city of Compton, California.
“Sticks & Scars” by Da$h & Win or Lose Records has a slower boom bap tone realizing that the payback is way past due the way they see it while “Mika & Sef” by Baron Davis & 2Eleven keeps it in the basement showing off the different type of skill they’ve already mastered. “Center of Change” by Chance Infinite grittily performs prayers instead of a seance in the middle of chaos observing the devils having awareness of being wrong & “Designer Drugs” by Jonah Love makes me feel like I’m listening to Boldy James.
Mitchy Slick & Trizz come together to make “Money on the Fly” backed by a sample while “The Invitation” by Vel 9 finds her drifting on a star. The song “No Fronts” by Huey Briss cloudily talks being reliant on his clientele & “Where We Are” by Sadat X opens up on only needing a few individuals by his side rather than a whole army with these piano chords playing behind him. “Time is Now” by Big Cheeko & JAY NiCE closes Side B with them talking about what a shame it is that people act lame & gossip.
Since both discs of Dis for the Project are finally in front of us now, it reveals itself to be an exciting double LP following up on Dough Networkz’ official debut Above Cloud Vision. I prefer the production that NoyOne & J.R. cooked up 6 years ago, except I appreciate the quality list of performers that he had to bring on board whether it be established veterans or some lesser-known names looking break down the wall of obscurity & get themselves out there.
Score: 7/10