The Chronic by Dr. Dre
Cannabis Sativa, haha / Or in the heart of LA known as the Chronic / Not to be confused with the bionic / Even though it does cost six million dollars, man, understand? / Haha, now we working with some new improved shit on this track
What helps to define the artist as an artist? How do you win a seat as an OG Rapper? Personally, in terms of winning a seat as an OG rapper by contributing and sharing culture and inspiring people to partake and experiment with the culture. The artist and album for this month is The Chronic by Dr. Dre.
The Chronic is the debut studio album of Andre Romelle Young “ Dr. Dre” released on December 15th, 1992. It helped to make g-funk popular. The whole album was a mix of funky beats intertwined with the storytelling rap form helping to create some social awareness of rappers that are not lost to the whole screen of only money and drugs. The beats are quite powerful due to the live instruments and they can get your heart pumping though it does not overpower the lyrics and stories shared.
The Chronic showcases a bit of Dr. Dre’s personality as someone who is confident in who will not take crap from anyone as shown by these lyrics in “Bitches Ain’t Shit”:
Ooh yeah, oh-oh-oh yeah
I don't give a fuck about a bitch (bitches ain't shit)
But I'll let her know that she can't fade this
'Cause I'm doing my own thing (bitches ain't shit)
Down with the swing (can't trust these hoes)
I'm hangin' with Death Row like it ain't no thing
I say you know can't deal (bitches ain't shit)
'Cause I'm a bitch that's real
Motherfuckers need to step back, hell yeah
They need to chill (tell these motherfuckers)
Because I don't give a fuck (bitches ain't shit)
And I don't give a fuck
And I don't give a fuck
Overall this album is a 6.5/10. It felt like an introductory album into the music and character of Dr. Dre, a taste that tickles your senses and intrigues you, leaving you wanting more. But see, all it does is make you want more. While it is considered a classic due to its production, as presented by the last verses, the lines aren’t impeccable or even inherently great. Some tracks can be sloppy at times. But those are just my opinions...