The Hard Way (213 album)

The Hard Way
Studio album by 213
Released	August 17, 2004 (2004-08-17)
Recorded	September 2001 - June 2004
Studio	Various DSR Studios (Los Angeles) Battery Studios (New York City) Larrabee Studios East (Los Angeles) Planet Studio (Los Angeles) The G-Spot (Los Angeles)
Genre	West Coast hip hop Gangsta rap G-funk
Length	71:59
Label	Doggystyle TVT
Producer	Fredwreck Hi-Tek Quaze B Sharp Battlecat Tha Chill Kanye West DJ Pooh Nottz Josef Lil' Half Dead Niggaracci Terrace Martin Marlon Williams Michael Angelo J-Hen Missy Elliott Jelly Roll
213 chronology
St. Ides EP (1994) The Hard Way (2004) Live in Las Vegas (2009)
Singles from The Hard Way
"So Fly" Released: July 6, 2004 "Groupie Luv" Released: 2004

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	2004
Artist Direct	2004
Entertainment Weekly	(C+) 2004
HipHopDX.com	2004
RapReviews.com	(5.5/10) 2004
Rolling Stone	2004
Stylus	(C) 2004
USA Today	2004
Vibe	2004

The Hard Way is the only studio album from American hip hop trio 213, which consisted of Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg. The reunion of the group first appeared as 213 in Warren G's The Return of the Regulator in the track "Yo' Sassy Ways". In 2003 Snoop Dogg, released his series of mixtapes, from which the second compilation Welcome to tha chuuch, Vol. 2 included the first version of "So Fly", which is a parody of the then chart-running hit single by Monica, So Gone. Missy Elliott, a co-producer of the song (with Spike & Jamahl), got to hear the tape and was very impressed by it. She agreed with Snoop to cede the right of the sample for the upcoming 213 project in exchange for their rapping on Tamia's "Can't Go for That" remix. In the end it came out to be the first unofficial radio single of The Hard Way and was performed live at BET's 106 & Park. The album version differs from the mixtape version in a way that it is five seconds shorter and misses Snoop's intro where he gives the shootouts "Welcome to tha chuuch Vol. 2...exclusive 213". The official debut retail single was "Groupie Luv", which was also accompanied by a promo video. It was directed by Chris Robinson and was filmed in Snoop Dogg's own house (see also Still a G Thang). It is also the video debut for dancer Criscilla Crossland

Upon its release, The Hard Way received generally positive reviews from music critics.

The album debuted at number 4 on the US Billboard 200, selling 95,000 copies in its first week.The Hard Way opened at the top spot of the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

According to TVT Records as December 16, 2004, the album sold 500,000 copies in the United States.

"So Fly" was released on July 6, 2004 at first single from the album. The song reached at number 2 on US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.

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