Dr. Dre - The Chronic
Death Row Records
December 15th, 1992.
After making a name for himself with arguably Hip-Hop's most controversial collective, N.W.A., Dr. Dre shed his skin post-breakup. The Chronic revitalized Dr. Dre as the harbinger of G-Funk flavour. If you look in the dictionary the definition of a 'classic', 'The Chronic' will be the defining answer - it planted more seeds than a cult of persistent gardeners. It's Influence on the west coast sound is unparalleled in stature, still maintaining a healthy cultural impact to this very day.
The bravado found on The Chronic came at a time where Hip-Hop began to harden it's image. The streets infiltrated the mainstream aspect of the industry, leading to a more braggadocious and edgy output. That's not to say that it wasn't part of the game before, just not as widespread, forefront and sought after. The skits throughout The Chronic - with the exception of 'The Doctors Office' - add to the character of the album in ways that other artists only wish their's could. Often times they add a sense of lighthearted hilarity, although they're clearly aimed at feuds and squabbles from around that time. Stoking flames from a comedic standpoint, humour being used as a way to keep things light, but cut deep.
Production-wise, there may not be a cleaner and more well-executed hip-hop album. Every piece fits, tenfold. The only thing that brings down the replay value of The Chronic is the strongly misogynistic lyrics and lack of depth or traversing of anything through lyrical content - it's all style and no substance, for the most part. The style is just so well done that you have to forgive the verbiage - if you're looking for a pure vibe with little to no consequence, take the step into The Chronic.
Snoop Doggy Dogg shines as up-and-coming rapper of the day - the next big thing. In usual Dre fashion, the next to emerge on the scene comes at the hands of his vision. 'Doggystyle', released a year later in 1993, would solidify the sound found on The Chronic, the G-Funk genetic would find itself well populated in years to come.
Deez nuuuuuts
