YGD Top Dogg speaks on Death Row issues and New Album, "Renegade"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Suge Knight fought to keep his Death Row empire on top, following the departure of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, along with the death of Tupac Shakur. Quickly, Knight began working on the "second generation" of Death Row. The new label was centered on YGD Top Dogg.

Because of his appearance and lyrical flow, YGD Top Dogg was mistaken as Snoop Dogg numerous times. Recently, the former Death Row star spoke with HipHopDX.com about his time with the label. In addition to his time with the label, he also spoke on his new music.

YGD Top Dogg said he linked up with Death Row Records when he met a man named Ron. Ron was both an actual artist and barber for Death Row. One day, Ron handed in the demo from YGD Top Dogg to J-Flexx and Flexx sent it to Suge Knight. The first YGD Top Dogg song under Death Row was the Biggie-diss, "Going Back to Cali."

When asked about the song, YGD Top Dogg did not deny the song being a diss to The Notorious B.I.G. and the entire Bad Boy crew. With the song being recorded after B.I.G.'s death, YGD Top Dogg explained why he recorded the track. YGD Top Dogg said he did the track because he was fresh into the game and he was hungry. Due to both his youth and his hunger, YGD Top Dogg said he did not give a fuck about feelings, family, and others' opinions.

Looking back on the song, older and wiser, YGD Top Dogg said he does not regret the song coming out because he learned from his mistakes. Recording during the most dangerous time in hip hop, Top Dogg said he was glad nothing bigger came from the situation. YGD Top Dogg did say things got a little heated on the streets, from time-to-time, because of his Death Row affiliation. But, for the most part, Death Row commanded so much respect on the streets, no one bothered him.

YGD Top Dogg also spoke on his issues with Snoop Dogg. Many felt as if he was on Death Row to fill the shoes of Tha Doggfather. The two rappers exchanged a number of disses, but only met, personally, a couple of times. However, the two met at a club and talked a little bit. Days later, Snoop Dogg covered The Source and had negative things to say about Top Dogg. It was after that when Top Dogg really began laying into the original Dogg, but he thinks the statements were written before he spoke with Snoop.

After years of waiting, YGD Top Dogg is finally working on his own album. He said he never even came close to releasing an album on Death Row. The reason he did not release an album on Death Row was because he was still in developmental phase. All of the singles released were never a part of anything bigger, all he ever did was release singles. But, his Renegade album will feature tracks Top Dogg produced and composed.