Z Man

Z Man’s Dope or Dog Food is a concept album of sorts that ironically exists between its titular polar opposites. The Hieroglyphics-affiliated San Francisco rapper is neither mind-blowing nor utterly terrible. From the Jamaican dub-steeped "Knock On Wood” to the Sir Mix-A-Lot-inspired ode "White Girls With Ass,” Z Man covers a variety of topics with an arsenal of esoteric slang that’s about as practical as Klingon in the real world. The rhymes themselves tend to meander recklessly atop adequate production by Moss. Ultimately, Dope or Dog Food is neither and both at the same time.