213 takes 'The Hard Way' to the top of the charts

LOS ANGELES (TVT Records) - The highly anticipated reunion of Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and Warren G has resulted in their chart-topping album 213: The Hard Way. The collaboration, that has the perfect blend of dope beats and those famed Cali lyrics, has garnered the group the prestigious slot of No 4 album in the country, charting Top 10 in 70 of the Top 100 markets. The West Coast displays its true loyalty by making THE HARD WAY No 1 on Southern California's charts. The album has also achieved No 1 status for Rap Album, as well as becoming the No 1 Independent Album in the country.

The album's lead single "Groupie Luv" is a playful funk-drenched anthem introducing listeners to 213's player side. The DJ Pooh produced song is a radio-friendly record with an undeniable hook.

With life long friends, unparalleled talent and an 18-track album full of stellar songs, 213 proves that THE HARD WAY has been well worth the wait. "Nate brought the gangster melodies to the game," Warren G says. "Snoop brought the smooth gangster style to the game. We've had an incredible impact. Now its time for us to reinvent West Coast hip-hop." Stand-out tracks on the album include "Another Summer" produced by Kanye West; "So Fly" a revamped version of R&B singer Monica's hit "So Gone"; and "Joysticc", a head-nodding track inviting female fans to an one-night affair.

THE HARD WAY may surprise people who aren't expecting them to produce such a powerful album. "It ain't really talked about as a big record coming out this year and ain't nobody really expecting it, but it's a great record with a lot of good songs on it," says Snoop Dogg.

THE HARD WAY is one of the many upcoming releases from TVT Records. Expected to hit stores this year: hip-hop soul songstress Teedra Moses, promising Cuban-American lyricist Pitbull, highly touted female emcee Jacki-O, and a new album from multi-platinum group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. Upcoming urban releases for 2005 include the first R&B Crunk artist Oobie and Lil' Jon-protÈgÈ Chyna Whyte, a female rapper with vicious rhymes and incredible lyrical dexterity.