West Coast gangsta rapper/producer DJ Quik has enlisted the help of Dr. Dre, Talib Kweli, and longtime collaborator AMG for his sixth solo album, "Under Tha Influence," due May 14 from his Universal-distributed Euponic/Bungalo label. The video for first single "Trouble," featuring a guest shot from the like-minded AMG, is in rotation now on BET.
The 14-track set, not counting its two unlisted songs, clocks in at just under 70 minutes, and reportedly sees Quik exploring a reggae influence on such cuts as "Murder 1 Case" and "Gina Statutory." Elsewhere, Quik samples Paul Simon's pop hit "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," shortening the title to "50 Ways." The interpretation is an ode to Quik's rapper pal Mausberg, who was shot and killed in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Compton two years ago.
Elsewhere, Kweli, Pharaoh Monch, and the Wu-Tang Clan's Shyheim lend a hand on album opener, "Proem," a five-minute number heavy on turntable scratches. "Under Tha Influence" also recycles "Put It on Me," a tale of sexual bravado with Dr. Dre that first appeared on the Capital/Priority soundtrack to "Training Day."
Quik, who has produced Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Tupac Shakur, had his largest success as a solo artist with his first Profile release "Quik Is the Name." The set has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. shipments of 1 million units and peaked at No. 9 on The Billboard 200. His 2000 Arista album, "Balance & Options," peaked at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 324,000 copies to date, according to SoundScan.
The 14-track set, not counting its two unlisted songs, clocks in at just under 70 minutes, and reportedly sees Quik exploring a reggae influence on such cuts as "Murder 1 Case" and "Gina Statutory." Elsewhere, Quik samples Paul Simon's pop hit "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," shortening the title to "50 Ways." The interpretation is an ode to Quik's rapper pal Mausberg, who was shot and killed in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Compton two years ago.
Elsewhere, Kweli, Pharaoh Monch, and the Wu-Tang Clan's Shyheim lend a hand on album opener, "Proem," a five-minute number heavy on turntable scratches. "Under Tha Influence" also recycles "Put It on Me," a tale of sexual bravado with Dr. Dre that first appeared on the Capital/Priority soundtrack to "Training Day."
Quik, who has produced Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Tupac Shakur, had his largest success as a solo artist with his first Profile release "Quik Is the Name." The set has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. shipments of 1 million units and peaked at No. 9 on The Billboard 200. His 2000 Arista album, "Balance & Options," peaked at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 324,000 copies to date, according to SoundScan.
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