The influence of BMFis already taking shape in the television landscape. Though it only recently completed its second season, the 50 Cent-EP’d series has apparently inspired more biopics based on the life and times of the most infamous figures in American pop culture. Last week, news broke that Suge Knight’s producing a biopic series based on his life, from his aspirations to become a football coach to his demise as the leader of the Death Row camp. DJ Drama feels that it would be an incredible story, though he feels a story on Dr. Dre would be even more compelling.
TMZ recently caught up with Drama shortly after the release of his new album, I’m Really Like That. The Philadelphia DJ explained that Suge Knight’s story would undoubtedly make for great television, especially in context with that era in hip-hop. “That universe, that time and that period, who wouldn’t wanna watch that? That shit would be incredible,” he said. From there, he began to campaign for a biopic on Dr. Dre that would explore his illustrious career from the pre-NWA days to bringing Eminem and 50 Cent into the fold.
DJ Drama Wants A Role In Dr. Dre’s Biopic
The Gangsta Grillz creator said that Dre’s career alone would be able to produce seasons upon seasons of content. “With all due respect, you know what would be even crazier? If we did a Dr. Dre universe, and we did from [World Class] Wreckin’ Crew to like N.W.A to the Death Row era, to then Aftermath, and then him working with Em and then with 50 came along. That’s like 10 seasons right there,” he told TMZ.
It seems like DJ Drama also hopes to make his acting debut in the hypothetical series. He called on 50 Cent to bring him onto the cast. “I need a role too, Fif! You’ve seen my acting skills,” he said, referring to the Juice reenactments to promote his latest album. “C’mon, Dram Cruise. C’mon, Fif! I’m manifesting, I’m putting it into the universe.” If anyone were to bring Dr. Dre’s story to television, we’d assume it would be 50 Cent. Check out Drama’s interview above.
Dr. Dre is one of the most prominent artists in hip-hop history. Though he is known for his signature deep voice, he is most known for producing some of hip hop’s most legendary songs. He has been heavily involved in shaping the careers of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and 50 Cent, producing many of their first hits. We have previously compiled lists of Dr. Dre’s productions, focusing on his most haunting beats and his greatest productions from the Death Row era. This list looks at the entire span of Dr. Dre’s career and the best beats he has produced.
Dre has collaborated with many artists over the years, and some of his work also features co-producers. This list prioritizes those solely produced by Dr. Dre but includes songs that additional producers worked on that deserve mentioning. This list is in chronological order to emphasize the legendary production discography of Dr. Dre over his 30+ year career.
1. N.W.A. – “Sa Prize (Part 2)” (1990)
Because “F**k Tha Police” is such an iconic statement in hip hop history, the sequel to the song from N.W.A. ‘s EP 100 Miles and Runnin’ often goes unnoticed. It’s argued the production Is arguably better than the first. The tempo and percussion are mostly the same. However, the bassline and melody breathe new life into the song. The verses sound even more powerful, specifically Dr. Dre’s show-stealing verse that sets the bar very high for the rest of the song.
2. Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg – “Deep Cover” (1992)
Before The Chronic and Doggystyle, Dr. Dre reinvented his sound and introduced Snoop Dogg on “Deep Cover.” The track has one of the meanest basslines in hip hop history. The rugged drum break allows Dre and Snoop to showcase their chemistry. It is a classic instrumental that has also been repurposed by the likes of Big Pun and Tyga.
3. Dr. Dre feat. Jewell – “Let Me Ride” (1992)
The instrumental for “Let Me Ride” provides the perfect amount of smoothness and funky. Dre’s rap voice still cuts deep but also carries the infectiously catchy chorus. The song samples Parliament’s “Mothership Connection,” “Kissing My Love” by Bill Withers, and James Brown’s “Funky Drummer.” The three classics are among the most sampled songs ever. The squeaky melody and groovy bassline on this song is a prime example of why The Chronic is so significant to hip hop.
4. Snoop Dogg – “G Funk Intro” (1993)
The instrumental of Snoop Dogg’s G Funk Intro sounds almost identical to Dr. Dre’s “F**k Wit Dre Day.” It’s a more upbeat instrumental, along with a different melody. That’s what makes “G Funk Intro” among one of Dr. Dre’s best productions. It is quintessential G Funk, which is what made Doggystyle such a classic album.
5. Snoop Dogg – “Gin and Juice” (1993)
It is impossible to discuss Dr. Dre’s best beats without mentioning “Gin and Juice.” It is one of the most legendary songs in the history of west coast hip hop. Dr. Dre provides a bouncy yet lowkey sound for Snoop’s rhymes and one of the catchiest hip hop songs of the ’90s. It’s no wonder this is a classic staple in rap, encompassing the genre’s popular Golden Era.
6. Snoop Dogg – “Tha Shiznit” (1993)
“Tha Shiznit” is one of Snoop’s best lyrical moments on Doggystyle. However, it would arguably not be one of the highlights of Doggystyle without the incredible instrumental. The pulsing bassline, along with the classic flute and organ, allow for Snoop Dogg to freestyle some of his greatest rhymes so casually.
7. Snoop Dogg – “Who Am I? (What’s My Name?)” (1993)
Snoop Dogg’s Dre-produced debut single is arguably as funky as the songs it sampled. “Who Am ?” takes from George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog,” Funkadelic’s “(Not Just) Knee Deep,” and Parliament’s “Give Up the Funk.” Dr. Dre used parts of these songs from Clinton’s extensive catalog to create the ultimate single. Snoop’s introduction as a rap superstar exemplifies Dre’s talent as a producer.
8. Snoop Dogg – “Gz and Hustlas” (1993)
A highlight from Doggystyle, “Gz and Hustlas” is one of Snoop Dogg’s greatest songs. The instrumental is easily one of Dr. Dre’s best. The music box sound perfectly transitions from the “Class Room Intro” to the most complex beat on the entire album. The deep bass, along with the high-pitched synthesizers, are one of the finest moments on Doggystyle.
9. 2Pac feat. Roger Troutman & Dr. Dre – “California Love” (1995)
2Pac’s “California Love” is an anthem for the entire state for a good reason. The classic verses from Dr. Dre, 2Pac, and vocals from Roger Troutman are backed by an instrumental that is quintessentially Dr. Dre. The piano provides the main backing for the song with the additional horns, bass, and Troutman’s use of the talk box. It also has a remix on 2Pac’s All Eyez on Me that has an instrumental equally as good.
10. Dr. Dre – “The Watcher” (1999)
Dr. Dre’s production contains a lot of intricacies, whether it comes to instrumentation or a sample. The beat on “The Watcher” is simple yet effective, as it only comprises a few sounds. The space in the beat allows for Dre’s verse to stand out, and the rest of the song comes together with the whispers of the title in the actual beat. The space in the beat on “The Watcher” is similar to 50 Cent’s “If I Can’t,” which Dre produced four years later.
11. Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg – “Still D.R.E.” (1999)
“Still D.R.E.” is such a classic song that it is almost larger than life 24 years after its release. The piano melody is known by hip hop fans of all ages and transcends the late-’90s era. It is also a simple but potent instrumental by Dr. Dre and Mel-Man. “Still D.R.E.” makes for the perfect soundtrack for bouncing lowriders, precisely what the song’s music video is.
12. Dr. Dre feat. Hittman, Kurupt, Nate Dogg & Six-Two – “Xxplosive” (1999)
Dr. Dre’s hip hop production is consistently mid-tempo, making the “Xxplosive” instrumental so amazing. It is slower yet still funky. The high-pitched guitar sound, complimented by bass and xylophone, makes for a smooth listening experience. It perfectly contrasts the jarringly explicit lyrics from Hittman, Kurupt, Nate Dogg, and Six-Two.
13. Dr. Dre feat. Eminem – “Forgot About Dre” (1999)
“Forgot About Dre” has a unique bounce that very few Dr. Dre instrumentals had before its release. The beat was shaped around Eminem’s syllable-heavy hook. It allowed for both Dre and Eminem to rap double-time. Not many Dr. Dre beats were known at the time for featuring a double-time tempo. This instrumental likely paved the way for Busta Rhymes’s “Break Ya Neck,” which is even faster and also produced by Dr. Dre.
14. Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg & Kurupt – “The Next Episode” (1999)
“The Next Episode” is another one of those songs that is an essential hip hop classic. It is vital for Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, as well as west coast hip hop. Dr. Dre’s production of songs like this one encapsulates the period in which it was released but also stands the test of time.
15. 50 Cent – “In Da Club” (2003)
The greatness of 50 Cent’s iconic hit single “In Da Club” is that the instrumental shines equally on the song as 50 does. Though the rapping and the beat shine as co-stars, they do not depend on each other. One is just as great without the other. Each component of the beat is balanced and comes together to make one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time.
16. Dr. Dre – “Talking To My Diary” (2015)
The closing track on Dr. Dre’s third album, Compton, co-produced by DJ Silk and Mista Choc, could not be a more fitting send-off. It is the only song on the album where Dr. Dre raps independently, and the beat is just as challenging as it is reflective. It is the ultimate soundtrack for Dr. Dre to look at the success that he has reached while also reminiscing about his beginnings. The song’s end features a two-minute trumpet solo from Dontae Winslow, making the song even more cinematic. Overall, Dr. Dre’s catalog as a producer is hard to beat, and there are so many iconic instrumentals to choose from. Here are the honorable mentions of the best beats that Dr. Dre has produced that did not quite make the list:
On this day in Hip-Hop history, Death Row Records, in conglomeration with Interscope Records, released the soundtrack to the popular film, Above the Rim. Winning the 1995 Source Award for Soundtrack of the Year, this album featured so many hits that it could have stood alone from the movie as a compilation album.
Acting as executive producers of the project, Suge Knight and Dr. Dre curated one of the most popular movie soundtracks of all time. This album featured artists 2Pac, Warren G, SWV, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, The Lady of Rage, and more. Due to the popularity of the artists and the success of the movie, the soundtrack sold 2,000,000 copies in the year of its release and peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Although it fell short on the mainstream chart, the album was able to grab hold of that #1 spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. Here are some videos from the outstanding soundtrack to help jog your memory of its greatness.
Mad close to the Deegan, the records were spinning. Hip-Hop was only a few seconds old. They weren’t quite rapping yet, but they were “EQin’’ it. However, since every time the beat drops … the party is still poppin’, and every party for the last five decades has introduced new dance styles and moves. If […]
Sending a 21 gun soldier salute Rest In Peace one of Hip Hop’s favorite crooners
There were many who tried, but nobody put R&B into Hip Hop the way it was supposed to sound better than the late, great Nate Dogg of the legendary Dogg Pound. The Source Magazine would like to send him a posthumous shout in recognition of his contributions to the game.
Besides his obvious links to Snoop Dogg and the original Death Row Family, Nathaniel Hale, born on this date in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1969, Nate appeared alongside several iconic artists in the game including 2Pac, 50 Cent, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z. The world lost a talented singer, actor and musician when Nate succumbed to multiple strokes on March 15, 2011. He was 41 years old.
Condolences go out to Warren G, Dr. Dre, Snoop and the entire 213 on the day an entire community lost a Hip Hop legend.
After being removed from all digital streaming platforms last year, Death Row Records has announced that its legendary collection of hip-hop albums will once again be available for streaming tonight (March 9). The news arrives via an announcement on the label’s social media handles.
We heard you. The time has come. Death Row Records catalog is back streaming everywhere tonight 9pm pst. pic.twitter.com/06FBF3eLTm
Among the classic Death Row albums are Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, Tupac’s All Eyez On Me, and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, the latter of which recently made a reappearance on DSPs. Much of the earlier Death Row projects were removed from streaming last year, following Snoop Dogg’s acquisition of the label.
Last year, in an interview on the Drink Champs podcast, Snoop revealed that he removed the masters after entertainment distributor eOne allegedly tried to pull him into a shady deal.
“They had the label, and for a year and a half two years I was trying to get my masters. All I wanted was Doggystyle. I was originally trying to say, ‘eOne, how can we work a deal where I can get my masters?’ Then Hasbro bought eOne so I was dealing with Hasbro and eOne. I was talking to eOne they were giving me the runaround so I said ‘Why don’t you let me come work for y’all so I can get my masters? I can blow your sh*t up make it go you can give me the Death Row Catalogue and let me get my masters’.”
The Death Row line-up will arrive to streaming platforms at 9 p.m. PST
On this date in 1995, Dr. Dre, along with producer Sam Sneed, put together the lead single “Keep Their Heads Ringin’” from silver screen hood favorite Friday. Within two months, the Death Row Records-owned single was certified gold and appeared on Death Row’s Greatest Hits just a year later.
TheF. Gary Gray-directed video of the single features Friday cast members Faizon Love (Big Worm), Chris Tucker (Smokey), and Nia Long, ending with Chris Tucker and Faizon Love taking the plane and flying away from the police.
Shout out to the Doctor and Sam Sneed for cooking up this classic hit for a timeless flick! Salute!
Yesterday (March 2), Rockstar Games announced the new Grand Theft Auto Online event. Through March 8, users now have the chance to earn “even more lucrative” rewards in all of the missions that feature Dr. Dre.
According to NME, “the event will offer double in-game cash and RP rewards for completing F. Clinton & Partner’s Security Contract missions.” The publication also notes that “finishing Payphone Hits for Franklin” will earn fans more money.
Finally, anybody who simply logs on to GTA Online before the set date will receive a free White DJ Pooh Tee.
Last December, Rockstar Games unveiled The Contract expansion — which included the rapper’s new music on the soundtrack, given it serves as a direct tie-in to the game. Players have to help him track down his stolen music.
“Dr. Dre’s stolen phone is the talk of the town. Word is the device is loaded with never-before-heard music,” the company posted on social media. “Tracking it down before it leaks could make or break your new “celebrity solutions Agency” — and you’ll be the one getting your hands dirty.”
Dr. Dre’s stolen phone is the talk of the town. Word is the device is loaded with never-before-heard music.
In other recent news within the Grand Theft Auto realm, 50 Cent hinted on social media that he might have some possible involvement in the forthcoming game — so there’s plenty happening for players to be excited for.
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have proven to be an iconic duo over the past three decades, and now they are uniting once again for the reboot of The Wash. Still starring both rappers, The Wash will now be conveyed as a television series. DJ Pooh, the director of the original 2001 film, took to Twitter to confirm the upcoming project. “It all comes out in ‘The Wash,’” he wrote, “series coming.” The post was accompanied by an orange pail and hanging car freshener, both which were branded with the movie’s logo.
The 53-year-old film director first hinted at the resurgence of The Wash in an Instagram post back in December. The photo showcases a scene featuring his character, Slim, along with Mr. Washington and Face (played by George Wallace and Sean Fonteno respectively). The original film also boasted a star-studded cast, including Eminem, Ludacris, and Shaq. Unsurprisingly, the soundtrack for the 2001 comedy amounted to a significant effort, with features from Truth Hurts and Xzbit among others, both of whom also made appearances in the film. Of course, both Snoop and Dre also added their flare to the movie’s music. The long-established partners collaborated on the songs “On the Boulevard” and “The Wash.”
Although it is unclear when the TV series will grace our screens, we can only hope it continues to capture the lives of Dee Loc and Sean (played by Snoop and Dre). In the original film, these two roommates take up a job at a car wash in order to pay rent. The endeavors of Dee Loc and Sean result in an action-packed comedy that continues to be referenced today. Most recently, Blxst and Bino Rideaux paid homage to the film in their music video for “Movie.”
Snoop and Dre will also be joining forces in their upcoming album, Missionary, which follows three decades after the release of Doggystyle. When the “Bad Decisions” rapper initially announced the new project on Instagram, he cited his partnership with Dre as a “dynamic duo.” Missionary is expected to drop this summer. For more news on hip hop, be sure to check out HNHH.
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre Will Drop “Missionary” This Summer
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