Heeee’s baaaack. Arguably the most talented producer in the history of rap has returned to bless us with another dose of “that Chronic.” Dr. Dre makes a triumphant return to the rap game with the sequel to the most influential album rap album ever, The Chronic.
Chronic 2001 proves that Dre is still on top of his game. Tight original beats have been Dre’s trademark over the years. From Straight Outta Compton to The Chronic to Doggy Style Dre has laid down beats that are unforgettable. Who can’t remember where they were when they first heard “Aint Nuthin But A G Thang” ?
Any DJ who’s worth anything has “Gin and Juice” on heavy rotation.
The last time Dre was heard from was his attempt to push his new label, The Aftermath. He hit us up with one single, “Been There, Done That.” Dre then disappeared into thin air; not to be heard from for another three years.
Then early in 1999, hip-hop phenom, Eminem released his debut album. The lead single “My Name Is” featured a cameo appearance by the good doctor. Dre had produced Eminem’s album and guested on several of the tracks.
Dr. Dre next assisted with Snoop Dogg’s new album, restoring the early 90’s team that brought us so many memorable jams. With Dre’s assistance Snoop Dogg released his second most successful album, No Limit Top Dogg.
Finally, after seven years of waiting, the second coming of the Chronic has arrived.
The album opens with Dre and Dre alone. On “The Watcher” Dre goes into all the friends he lost after he left Deathrow Records. With the haunting chorus, “Everywhere that I go/ Ain’t the same as before/ People I used to know just don’t know me no more.”
Dre then talks about how rappers have been the target of “jealous brothers.” “It’s either my life or your life and I aint leavin/ I like breathing/ Brotha we can go round for round/ clip for clip/ pound for pound/ If you really want to take it there we can/ but remember your f***ing with a family man/ I gotta lot more to lose than you.”
The lead single, “Still D.R.E” lets everyone know what Dre’s been up to and reassures us that he’s still himself. “Since the last time you heard from me I’ve lost some friends/ Well, hell, me and Snoop, we’re dippin again/ kept my ear to the street signed Eminem/ he’s triple platinum doing 50 a week/ I stay close to the heat and even when I was close to defeat/ I rose to my feet.”
With a piano backed beat this track bangs out of the speakers. Snoop Dogg’s guest appearance makes this the perfect reunion track.
“What’s the Difference” is another hot track; it features Xzibit and Eminem. Dre is talking to all the people who have been trashing him on their records and in the media. Dre rants, “It aint that I’m too big to listen to the rumors; it’s just that I’m too damn big to pay attention to them.”
The chorus echoes Dre’s lyrics, “What’s the difference between me and you?/ You talk a good one, but don’t do what you’re supposed to do.”
Eminem drops some of his patented crazy lyrics, “Drop the sawed off and beat you with the piece that was sawed off/ F*** blood I wanna see some lungs being coughed up/…You better show some respect when the Doc’s brought up.”
Chronic 2001 should be as essential to a hip-hop heads collection as the original Chronic. Dre has dropped the next generation of beats to bump.
Even though the label, year, and guests have changed, Chronic 2001 proves that the Dr. is “Still D.R.E.”
