Dr Dre - Chronic 2001 (Aftermath Entertainment) 'Things just ain't the same for gangsters,' declares Dr Dre on Chronic 2001.
The rap game has changed since the 1980s when Dre altered the face of hip-hop with his fellow N.W.A crew, pioneering 'gangster rap' with the group's classic debut, Straight Outta Compton. And it has changed since 1992 when he introduced G-Funk with his solo outing, The Chronic. With Chronic 2001, Dre demonstrates that as one of rap's forefathers, he can still roll with the times.
Gratuitous violence, blatant misogyny, intense profanity, they are all here, to expect anything else would be to forget Dre's forte. He spins tales of his sexual escapades yet declares himself a 'family man' on The Watcher and reflects on a life of violence in The Message, a stunning track that features backing vocals by Mary J. Blige.
The genius of this album lies in the excellent production.
Darkly winding and bass-heavy, this olio of beats is deeply moody and instantly catchy.
He has also peppered the album with some impressive guest appearances. Old pal Snoop Dogg does some of the best work he has done in years, while protege Eminem adds some of his own distinctively twisted lyrics.
