R.A.W. cover

R.A.W.

Daz Dillinger · 2000

74 min · 21 tracks · hip-hop

A gritty exploration of street life anchored by heavy basslines, sharp beats, and Daz's distinctive flow.

Top tracks — play these first

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    What Cha Talkin Bout — This track encapsulates the quintessential G-funk sound with its laid-back groove and clever lyricism, highlighting Daz's ability to blend storytelling with catchy hooks.
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    Who's Knocc'n at My Door — The song features a haunting beat paired with vivid imagery of street life, showcasing Daz's lyrical prowess and knack for creating an immersive narrative.
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    Itz All About That Money — This track addresses themes of materialism and ambition, using sharp wordplay and a compelling hook that reflects the era's hip-hop ethos.
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    Agony — With its introspective lyrics and darker production, this track stands out as a poignant exploration of personal struggles amidst the chaos of street life.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

R.A.W. showcases solid production and distinctive flows but lacks mainstream impact.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of heavy basslines and sharp, syncopated beats that drive the rhythm throughout.
  • Daz's flow varies between aggressive and laid-back styles, often switching within verses to maintain listener engagement.
  • Several tracks incorporate G-funk elements, such as synthesizer melodies and funk samples, which are prominent in the production.
  • The sequencing includes interludes that create pauses in the flow, allowing for thematic shifts between tracks.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • gritty street narratives unfold
  • short tracks for quick bursts
  • late-night drive energy
  • playful irreverence throughout tracks
  • hard-hitting lyrics for engagement

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer longer immersive pieces
  • seek polished mainstream sounds

Where this album fits

Career context
R.A.W. is Daz Dillinger's third studio album, released in 2000 after a successful run with Dogg Pound and collaborations with Snoop Dogg. By this point, Daz was solidifying his reputation as a prominent figure in West Coast hip-hop while navigating the changing landscape of the genre post-Death Row Records.
Stylistic neighbors
Kurupt· Warren G· Snoop Dogg

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Super Cuz 0:20
  • 2 Street Gangs 1:57
  • 3 What Cha Talkin Bout 4:17
  • 4 This Iz Not Over 'Till We Say So' 3:39
  • 5 One-Nine-99 3:46
  • 6 Who's Knocc'n at My Door 4:23
  • 7 When Ya Lease Expected 4:12
  • 8 What It Iz 5:06
  • 9 I'd Rather Lie 2 Ya 3:56
  • 10 On tha Grind 3:38
  • 11 If U Want This Pussy 0:41
  • 12 Your Gyrlfriend 2 3:59
  • 13 R.A.W. 4:12
  • 14 Itz All About That Money 4:00
  • 15 Movin' Around 4:01
  • 16 U Ain't Know'n 3:59
  • 17 Agony 3:57
  • 18 Feels Good 5:03
  • 19 My System 4:02
  • 20 Baccstabber 4:21
  • 21 Super Cuz 0:28

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata