Just What The Doctor Ordered.

The Doctor's Advocate acts as a beautiful case study in displaying the inner workings of the true west coast sound. The newly released cd by Game is a true masterpiece consisting of tracks that instantly brings listeners back to the early 1990s.

In order to grasp the true meaning and significance of The Doctor's Advocate, one must delve into the early '90s west coast movement. Who were the pioneers? What was the sound that was created? A good starting point is with Warren G and his song with Nate Dogg entitled, "Regulate."

Case study 1: "Regulate"

Notice the formal elements of the beat. There is a heavy use of synthesizers to form a high pitch sound. The intro to the song incorporates whistling to set up the breaking of the beat. The inner workings of this song represent the epitome of early '90s west coast rap. This song is the essence of the movement. It is a song that you creep to. Creep? The image envoked when "creeping" is a cadillac slowly rolling down the street to the beat of the song, hydrolics bumping in unison. (Also known as: rider music) That is what you do to these songs, you coast...in other words, you're straight west coastin'.

This brings up another important element inherent in west coast rap: Crayzie Walkin' or the C-Walk. This gangsta walk (Crip Walk) is an artistic form of self-expression that moves in conjunction with the rhythm and beat of most west coast tracks.

Exhibit A: Get Your Walk On- by Xzibit

As you watch the video, you will see various forms of the C-Walk. Furthermore, listen to the beat. Notice the similarity in sound compared to "Regulate." The formal elements of a west coast beat are present. There is heavy use of synthesizers, and constant high pitch sounds. There is a heavy emphasis on organs and high pitch chords within the beat.

Exhibit B: Ain't Nothin' But A G Thang- by Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg

Watch the video and pick up on cultural aspects of west coast life. The video is gritty and portrays a typical day in the life of a black male living in Los Angeles. The lyrics contain references to Compton, Long Beach displaying west coast pride; a trademark of west coast rap. Also, notice the incorporation of the automobie, a typical west coast convertible that is suped up. The ridin' element is present and even brief flashes of hydrolics at work. Finally, again listen to the beat. There is a synthesized pattern throughout the entire song. The background sound is high pitched with a bevy of high pitch chords, synthesizers and organs.


Exhibit C: Tha Streets- by WC ft. Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg

Another west coast video. It contains all of the elements described above. Listen to the lyrics. There is immense west coast pride through the shout outs to various local neighborhoods, e.g. Long Beach (LBC) Furthermore, there is an inherent gangsta west coast image that is addressed in most west coast songs. Listen to the verse by Snoop Dogg (the gangly looking rapper) when he explains about C or Crip walking. He states it is a way of life. This points to the gangsta lifestyle and the gangbanged that originated on the west coast. The term: "drive by shooting" was given life by the west coast and perpetuated through west coast gangsta flicks, such as Boyz in the Hood.


Fast forward. 2006. Doctor's Advocate. Now that you have been given a crash course in west coast themes and patterns, let's apply them to the newly released cd by Game.

Case study 2: