BEFORE hip-hop was absorbed into the mainstream, the chart life of a typical rapper was short.

Today, all the major record houses maintain their prized hip-hop assets, even as many have aged beyond the audience that consumes their creations.

Calvin Broadus, aka Snoop Dogg, maturing towards 37, has contributed towards the lavish marketing productions that are now standard. But what of the music?

This latest offering from Snoop, his eighth solo project, contains echoes of his pioneering Long Beach sound, such as on the tricked-out funk of Dre's Boss Life and the darker Neptunes-produced Vato.

Yet the album is weakened by the pop and R&B inspired outputs, such as the over-rated R Kelly duel on the That's That.

An auto-pilot delivery is all his label owners ask for now.

Equally lethargic is Eminem, who has put his name behind a selection of former mix tapes.

The depressing thing is how badly stitched together the album is, filled with "spotlights" from Shady Records never-was Stat Quo and newbies Ca$his, each "bigging up" Em for his magical musical touch (which is nowhere to be seen).

But don't give up hope. One hip-hop granddaddy has delivered a more polished album; the Hova himself is back. Jay-Z offers a great package of gems, not only the lead single Show Me What You've Got, but also the album title track and the excellent Trouble. While not perfect, at least Jay-Z spends time on the craft that made him a superstar.

  • Matthew Eagleton-Pierce