West Coast legend MC Eiht has been on a roll lately. Following a hiatus from full-fledged studio projects since 2006, he returned in 2017 with the DJ Premier-produced Which Way Iz West. Furthermore, he kept that momentum going recently with Gangsta Bizness, a reunion with his iconic group Compton’s Most Wanted.
However, looking back to the mid-2000s, there was a pivotal moment in Eiht’s career involving Goldie Loc (The Eastsidaz), Kam, and the vision of Snoop Dogg. This was the era of Warzone.
MC Eiht – Heart Cold feat. Lady of Rage (prod. by DJ Premier)
Compton’s Most Wanted – Hub City
At the time, all three artists were seeking new solo record deals. Consequently, Snoop Dogg believed that if MC Eiht aligned with Goldie Loc and Kam, the trio would have a stronger chance of securing a favorable deal as a group.
The group first made an official appearance on the track “Don’t Stop,” alongside Kurupt, which appeared on Snoop Dogg’s 2006 album BODR Presents: The Blue Carpet Treatment.
In addition, MC Eiht also appeared on Snoop Dogg’s single “Candy (Drippin’ Like Water),” contributing alongside West Coast heavyweights Tha Dogg Pound, E-40, and fellow War Zone member Goldie Loc. The track became one of MC Eiht’s most high-profile releases in quite some time.
Snoop Dogg -Don’t Stop feat. Warzone & Kurupt
Snoop Dogg – Candy(Drippin Like Water) feat. MC Eiht, E-40 & Tha Dogg Pound
Snoop Dogg was determined to make Warzone shine. He utilized every platform and project to showcase the group’s chemistry:
-
Unreleased Heatrocks (2007): Featured the group on the track “West Allstars.”
-
The Big Squeeze (2007): A Snoop-produced compilation where Warzone contributed “Shackled Up” and Eiht appeared on “Get Your Body Moving.”
-
Solo Features: MC Eiht also joined Snoop on the track “Blastin.”
It was clear that Snoop was positioning Warzone as the next big thing for the West Coast.
Snoop Dogg – West Allstars feat. Warzone
Snoop Dogg – Blastin feat. MC Eiht
Warzone – Shackled Up (prod. by Snoop Dogg)
MC Eiht – Get Your Body Moving feat. Kam (prod. by Snoop Dogg)
By 2008, the stage was set for a full-length Warzone album. The group even released a music video for the gritty track “Damn.”
Unfortunately, despite recording thirteen tracks that captured the true essence of West Coast hip hop, a major record deal never materialized. The project was eventually shelved, and as a result the members went their separate ways.
It remains a “lost gem” for fans, especially with unreleased standout tracks like “Flashbaccs” (featuring Snoop Dogg) and “When I Ain’t Around” (featuring Nate Dogg).
Warzone – Damn
Warzone – Flashbaccs feat. Snoop Dogg
Warzone – When I Ain’t Around feat. Nate Dogg
In a recent interview with Talib Kweli on the People’s Party podcast, MC Eiht shared that despite the Warzone project’s outcome, he remains on excellent terms with Snoop Dogg.
Today, MC Eiht is moving independently, proving that anything is possible in the modern era of hip hop. With his next solo album, Official, on the horizon, fans can’t help but hope for a future reunion. A project featuring Eiht, Snoop, and the rest of the Warzone crew is something the West Coast hip hop community would undoubtedly embrace.
MC Eiht – Talib Kweli Interview
