Knoc-Turn'al, Xzibit, Nate Dogg, Warren G & Shade Shiest Were "Str8 West Coast"

BYMitch Findlay12.3K Views
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The West Coast's new-millennium guard lined up for a Dr. Dre laced posse cut.

To this day, I still look back fondly on my bootlegged copy of Knoc-Turn'al's lost debut, Knoc's Landing. While the shelved project (and Westside cult classic) has become damn-near impossible to find, some relics managed to live on through Knoc's debut EP, LA Confidential Presents: Knoc-Turn'al. And while the EP was only a fraction of Knoc's Landing, it did provide a new gem in the "Str8 West Coast" remix. A follow-up to the Dr. Dre-produced Knoc solo cut on The Wash OST, the remix brought fellow West Coast vets Xzibit, Warren G, Nate Dogg, and Shade Shiest into the fold.

Taking to a vintage Dr. Dre banger, a testament to the sound he was pioneering in the early aughts, each emcee slides through for a brief declaration of hometown pride. Xzibit kicks it off with his iconic bird-cry, before anchoring the track as an artifact of the times. "It's 2002," he snarls, "my backpack raps got my backpack stapped and filled with plaques." Warren G and Nate Dogg reunite for a "Regulators" reunion, and the soft-spoken Shade Shiest holds his own alongside some heavy hitters. Knoc comes through to close things out, and we're left wondering what might have happened in a parallel universe, where the "Bang Bang" rapper's debut was given a proper release. Anyone out there remember Knoc-Turn'al?

Quotable Lyrics

It's two thousand and two
My backpack raps got my backpack strapped and filled with plaques
I ain't relaxed or laid back at home with my feet up
I drop Prada, lock and load, heat the streets up
You weak fuck, shakin and dancing
Ya'll takin pills, we takin penitentiary chances

- Xzibit


About The Author
<b>Feature Editor</b> <!--BR--> Mitch Findlay is a writer and hip-hop journalist based in Montreal. Resident old head by default. Enjoys writing Original Content about music, albums, lyrics, and rap history. His favorite memories include interviewing J.I.D and EarthGang at the "Revenge Of The Dreamers 3" studio sessions in Atlanta and receiving a phone call from Dr. Dre. In his spare time he makes horror movies.
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