Tha Dogg Pound
| Company type | Hip hop duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Kurupt, Daz Dillinger |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Hip hop music, albums |
Tha Dogg Pound is a hip-hop duo from the United States, composed of West Coast rappers Kurupt and Daz Dillinger. They were among the earliest artists to sign with Death Row Records in 1992.
Starting in 1998, both members pursued solo careers and exited Death Row Records the following year due to internal disputes that escalated after the 1996 death of fellow label artist Tupac Shakur. Kurupt established Antra Records, whereas Daz and Soopafly created D.P.G. Recordz. In 2002, tensions increased when Kurupt rejoined Death Row, which postponed his album Against the Grain. This album was eventually released in August 2005 after he left the label again. Daz released Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta LP in January 2005. Tha Dogg Pound reunited to produce Dillinger & Young Gotti II in November 2005, followed by their official reunion project Cali Iz Active in 2006, with Snoop Dogg serving as executive producer.
Death Row era (1992–1997)
Prior to The Chronic, Kurupt and Daz were individual artists. Recognizing their strong collaboration during studio sessions, Dr. Dre encouraged them to form a group. As Tha Dogg Pound, they contributed to Doggystyle and various soundtrack projects.
From 1993 to 1994, they also worked on MC Hammer's The Funky Headhunter album and collaborated with Suge Knight and the Whole 9 collective.
Their debut album as a duo, Dogg Food, was released in 1995 under Death Row Records. It debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart and earned double platinum certification. The track "Let's Play House" reached the Top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, while "New York, New York" became popular on MTV, featuring a video where Daz and Snoop playfully confronted East Coast rivals. Later that year, Suge Knight secured Tupac Shakur’s release from jail by negotiating a deal for four albums through Death Row.
In 1996, Tha Dogg Pound had significant involvement on Tupac's Death Row debut All Eyez on Me. Kurupt appeared on "Got My Mind Made Up" and "Check Out Time," while Daz produced several hits including "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted", "Ambitionz az a Ridah", and "I Ain't Mad At Cha". They also featured on Snoop Doggy Dogg's Tha Doggfather.
Departure from Death Row by Kurupt and Daz (1998–2001)
Kurupt left Death Row in January 1998 but continued as part of Tha Dogg Pound. He released two solo albums—Kuruption! in 1998 and Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha in 1999—both including collaborations with Daz Dillinger and other members of the DPG collective. Meanwhile, Daz issued his sole Death Row album, Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back, before founding his own label Mobstyle Muzik to pursue independent ventures. Mobstyle's initial release, Poppa Snoop Presents Mobstyle Muzik Volume 1, did not meet commercial expectations, prompting Daz to briefly return to Death Row. Subsequently, he co-established DPG Recordz alongside Christopher "Big C-Style" Bowden.
By December 1998, Daz officially departed from Death Row and launched his first independent album, R.A.W., in 2000. This was followed by Tha Dogg Pound’s album under the D.P.G. name titled Dillinger & Young Gotti. After completely leaving Death Row, Suge Knight asserted ownership over the "Tha Dogg Pound" name and earlier material, leading Daz to rename the group as D.P.G. (Dogg Pound Gangstaz) to avoid legal complications. In 2001, Suge Knight released 2002, an album comprising unreleased tracks by Tha Dogg Pound. Additionally, Soopafly contributed to the independent hip-hop scene with his solo project Dat Whoopty Woop released in 2001.
External conflicts (2002–2004)
The longstanding rivalry between Tha Dogg Pound and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony originated from the dispute between Death Row Records and Ruthless Records, owned by Eazy-E. Tha Dogg Pound targeted Bone Thugs on the track "Dogg Pound Gangstaz," to which Layzie Bone and Krayzie Bone replied on songs from E. 1999 Eternal. This animosity concluded when Snoop Dogg and Kurupt collaborated with Krayzie Bone on his album Thug Mentality 1999 and further contributed to Flesh-N-Bone’s and Daz Dillinger’s projects, including Tha Dogg Pound’s 2009 album That Was Then, This Is Now.
Tha Dogg Pound also engaged in a conflict with B.G. Knocc Out & Dresta, responding to tracks by Eazy-E and Kokane & Cold 187um with their song "What Would You Do," which featured Snoop Dogg. B.G. Knocc Out & Dresta answered back with "D.P.G. Killa" from their debut album Real Brothas. This dispute was eventually settled, culminating in the collaborative track "Blaze It Up" on Tha Dogg Pound’s Dogg Chit.
The duo became entangled in the East Coast–West Coast rivalry that Suge Knight and 2Pac initiated against Puff Daddy and Notorious B.I.G. of Bad Boy Entertainment. Expanding this feud, Daz and Kurupt involved Capone-N-Noreaga, Tragedy Khadafi, and Mobb Deep through their single "New York, New York," featuring Snoop Dogg.
In late 2002, Kurupt’s appointment as executive producer at Death Row Records created a significant division within the group, alienating Daz, Soopafly, Snoop Dogg, and other members of the DPGC who viewed this as a betrayal. Between 2003 and 2004, both factions exchanged intense diss tracks. Daz launched attacks on Kurupt and Death Row with songs like "U Ain't Shit" featuring Bad Azz and "I Don't Give a Fucc," while Kurupt countered with his Originals album, notably the bonus track "Eat a Dicc (Fucc Daz)."
Reunion period (2005–2023)
The conflict between Kurupt and Daz came to an end in April 2005 when they reconciled. The downturn of Death Row Records and inadequate promotion of Kurupt's Against Tha Grain played a role in their reunion. They resumed working together, releasing Dillinger & Young Gotti II: Tha Saga Continuez. Following The Western Conference in 2005, they revitalized the DPGC collective with an album featuring contributions from Snoop Dogg, Soopafly, Nate Dogg, Warren G, RBX, Lady of Rage, and Lil' ½ Dead—Snoop took charge of production and distribution.
In 2006, Tha Dogg Pound issued their reunion album Cali Iz Active via Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle Records; the title track included Snoop alongside various producers. Their subsequent release, Dogg Chit, arrived independently in March 2007 as a sequel to their debut effort. Although plans were made to sign with Cash Money Records for the project Westcoast Aftershocc, following singles like "Ch-Ching" and "Mystic River," these plans were shelved in favor of the album 100 Wayz. Singles from 100 Wayz began circulating in 2008; however, disagreements with Koch Records caused delays. Consequently, That Was Then, This is Now was released in late 2009 containing tracks initially intended for 100 Wayz. The latter finally saw release in July 2010 after the compilation Keep on Ridin appeared in May.
After 2010, Tha Dogg Pound announced several projects including Dillinger & Young Gotti III: Get Paid with Pete Rock and a revived version of Westcoast Aftershocc slated for 2011. Solo ventures from Kurupt involved collaborations with producers such as DJ Premier and Fredwreck; however, only Kurupt's solo album Street Lights along with two projects by Daz Dillinger were completed.
Both members pursued side projects: Kurupt established the supergroup 1st Generation alongside King Tee, Sir Jinx, Gangsta of tha Comradz, MC Eiht, and producer Tha Chill; together with Daz, they formed N'Matez featuring Lady of Rage and RBX. In December 2011, Tha Dogg Pound released "Forever in a Day" featuring Snoop Dogg. They also announced their forthcoming group album titled Alumni, executive produced by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre—marking their first collaboration with Dre since his involvement on their debut Dogg Food and Kurupt's appearances on Dre's 2001. On December 2, 2012, they released the mixtape That's My Work Vol. 1 alongside Snoop Dogg.
In 2021, Tha Dogg Pound prepared to drop Dogg Food II, unveiling its lead single "Let's Roll" late that year. The subsequent single "Nice & Slow," featuring Snoop Dogg, was released in July 2021. In 2023, Daz Dillinger announced that the album would be released imminently under Dogg Pound Records; as of April 2024, it has yet to be issued.
Return to Death Row (2024–Present)
In April 2024, Tha Dogg Pound unveiled the single "Smoke Up" featuring Snoop Dogg. This release served as a preview for their forthcoming album, W.A.W.G. (We All We Got), which was officially launched under Death Row Records in June 2024. The album became available ahead of schedule on May 31, 2024, through major digital streaming services.
D.P.G.C.
DPGC (Dogg Pound Gangsta Clicc) represents a broader alliance encompassing Tha Dogg Pound, Snoop Dogg, and various affiliated artists connected to Death Row Records, G-Funk Records, DPG Recordz, Antra Music Group, and Dogg House Records. Prominent figures within this collective include Nate Dogg, Warren G, Tha Eastsidaz, and Lady of Rage. Their initial project, DPGC: The Remix, debuted in 2002.
Discography
- Studio Albums
- Dogg Food (1995)
- Dillinger & Young Gotti (2001)
- Dillinger & Young Gotti II: Tha Saga Continuez... (2005)
- Cali Iz Active (2006)
- Dogg Chit (2007)
- That Was Then, This Is Now (2009)
- 100 Wayz (2010)
- DPG 4 Life (2021)
- W.A.W.G. (We All We Got) (2024)
Awards and Nominations
- Grammy Award Considerations
Tha Dogg Pound earned a nomination for one Grammy Award.
| Category | Genre | Song | Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Rap | "What Would You Do?" | 1996 | Nominated |