Stepping out from under the lyrical shadow of his erstwhile partner in crime, Kurupt, the artist formerly known as Dat Nigga Daz comes fully into his own with an album that features several strong hits worthy of note.

That's right, Daz can rhyme. That is not a misprint. Sure, most of what he rhymes about is drivel -- pseudo-gangsta tales of guns he never shot, men he never killed and deeds he never did. But the passion with which the rechristened Daz Dillinger (why brothas always end up with some white guy's last name?) creates these verbal fantasies, the artistry with which he paints the musical backgrounds, you have to respect a man who has taken a moneymaker and made it a craft.

Take "Oh No," probably the hottest moment on the album. An uptempo driving beat which is distinctive and catchy, Daz half raps/half sings the chorus, "Oh nooooo/ niggaz just wanna get killed tonight/ trippin' on you the way I feel tonight/ nigga betta pack yo' guuuuun!" The song both conveys the anger of young brothers with a gun and an attitude while shakin' yo' thang with a track and flows that are right on target.

Likewise the Nate Dogg/Snoop guest shots on "O.G." make a strong showing, and even weaker moments like "Baby Mama Drama," which is tedious musically, is redeemed by its honesty. "Damn, do gangsters get filed on for child support, too?" Daz wonders. Yup.

All in all, this is a very strong piece of product from a musical legacy many would like to believe is on its way to extinction. Daz, once the member of the Dogg Pound who could produce and not rap, has developed as a lyricist with some intricacy and variety and for those open-minded enough to appreciate the Left Coast gangsta mentality, this is a solid hip hop project at its heart.