Daz Dillinger is looking for his royalties for his work on Dr. Dre’s The Chronic. Hitting Instagram, Daz asked when he could expect his royalties to come in.
“HAPPY 31st C DAY TO THE CHRONIC @drdre BUT WHEN CAN WE RECEIVE OUR ROYALITIES,” Daz wrote.” ARE YOU OR @interscope GONE ROBB US LIKE @deathrowrecords 2024 & THE N-GGAS FROM THE PAST WHO RAN IT. Str8 Bitchez FUCEM.”
During his recent appearance on The Bootleg Kev Podcast, Berner revealed that Dr. Dre once turned down his idea to team up to produce a strain of weed called “The Chronic.” According to Berner, the performer was concerned about getting himself into the industry before weed was federally legal, which is why he declined the offer. Despite him passing on the opportunity, Berner reflected on the memory of meeting with Dr. Dre “three or four years ago” fondly.
“Dre sat down with me and I showed him a jar of what we wanted to call ‘The Chronic,’” Berner explained. “It was by far the best-looking weed we’ve ever produced — it was incredible, beautiful, it was orange, purple, funky, stanky … it looked like it was out of a f*cking movie, how good this weed looked.”
Dr. Dre Wanted To Wait Until Weed Was Federally Legal
“I showed him ‘The Chronic’ and he was just like, ‘yeah, I f*ck with it I appreciate Slim [the Mobster] putting this play together and, y’know, we’ll think about it, but like I don’t know if I really want to put myself in the industry.’” According to Berner, Dr. Dre told him that since he had already managed to make it big, he didn’t want to put everything on the line with a venture into the weed space. “He told me, ‘I got money money and I don’t really want to play with that until, y’know, maybe it’s federally legal,” he explained. “‘I just don’t want to risk it.’”
Though the strain surely would have been a hit among fans, nobody can blame the 58-year-old for opting to play it safe. What do you think of Dr. Dre turning down Berner’s offer to produce “The Chronic” weed? Would you have given the strain a try if Dr. Dre had agreed to Berner’s idea? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Dr. Dre and Berner.
The Chronic stands as one of the greatest albums of all time (although DJ Clark Kent might say otherwise). But perhaps, one of the reasons why it came out as a a bonafide classic is because Dre felt he had his back against the wall. Following the tumultuous falling out between members of N.W.A., Dr Dre could’ve easily failed to realize his potential but apparently, a push from The D.O.C. helped him challenge himself in the studio to concoct a timeless body of work that would withstand the test of time.
In a clip from Kevin Hart’s Hart To Heart series obtained by Billboard, Dre detailed how he shifted towards a solo career after NWA. “The difference there was money and business got involved, and it separated the friendship,” Dre tells Hart in a clip. “I had to separate myself from [Eazy-E] because he decided to take a different route. [Ice] Cube had already left, so I’m out here on my own. I have absolutely no idea what the f**k I’m gonna do, I just know I have this talent.”
Dr. Dre Made The Chronic With His Back Against The Wall
Eventually, a conversation with a close friend of his – the D.O.C. – convinced him to begin working on The Chronic. “A close friend of mine, we’ll call him D.O.C., talked me into doing the Chronic album,” he reveals. “It wasn’t my decision, I was talked into doing that. I just went in there and went for it because I felt, at that time, it was a life-or-death situation… Back was against the wall. Life or death situation. This record is going to determine whether I’m going to stay in the studio or not.”
Kevin Hart explained that’s often when people do their best work – when they have everything to lose. “When all the eggs are in one basket and either, this basket is going to be responsible for how I eat or it’s going to break,” Hart said. Dre explained that type of hunger is not common to find these days among artists, either. Check out the clip above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.
Dr. Dre presents as someone who does what he wants and only what he wants. That wasn’t always the case in the early 1990s. The former N.W.A. member discussed the surprising origin story of his seminal solo album, The Chronic, during an episode of Kevin Hart’s Hart To Heart on Peacock.
“Money and business got involved, and it separated the friendship,” Dre said of N.W.A.’s breakup in a clip shared exclusively with Billboard. “I had to separate myself from [Eazy-E] because he decided to take a different route. [Ice] Cube had already left, so I’m out here on my own. I have absolutely no idea what the f*ck I’m gonna do. I just know I have this talent.”
He added, “A close friend of mine — we’ll call him D.O.C. — talked me into doing The Chronic album. It wasn’t my decision. I was talked into doing that. I just went in there and went for it because I felt, at that time, it was a life-or-death situation. […] Back is against the wall. Life-or-death situation. This record is gonna determine whether I’m gonna stay in the studio or not.”
Earlier this year, Dr. Dre’s genre-defining album, The Chronic, returned to streaming services after being pulled in 2022 to sort out some ownership issues. While its return just barely missed out on the album’s 20th anniversary, the album’s creator isn’t letting the occasion go without celebration.
Fans looking for a physical product to celebrate the anniversary won’t be disappointed. Today, Interscope and Trophy announced “The Chronic Masters,” a series of collectibles commemorating the seismic shift caused by the album’s release. Included in the collection are replicas of the session tapes; a series of limited-edition prints of the tapes; and a series of skateboard decks bearing images of the session tapes and the album’s cover.
The runs are limited to 310 copies of each — a nod to the area code of Dre’s native Compton, California — although there are also oversized replica tapes in even more limited quantities; just 30 of each will be produced. You can find a few select images below and get more information about the drops at thechronicmasters.interscope.com.
The collection would be a worthy addition to a fan’s art collection — and, unlike NFTs, you can actually hold them in your hands. Meanwhile, another Dr. Dre production celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, is getting a different kind of celebration: A one-weekend engagement at the Hollywood Bowl.
Dr. Dre’s excitement for Snoop Dogg’s upcoming album reportedly matches that of The Chronic, according to producer Smitty. The Grammy Award winner sat down with AllHipHop to discuss the highly-anticipated project. He detailed what the studio sessions have been like with the two legendary artists.
“It’s gonna be great music,” Smitty said. “That’s not even the given. What people won’t expect is the level of execution that Snoop is committed to. Snoop’s in his bag. I was in Hawaii working with other projects last week. He called me — I’m three hours behind, it has to be 8 in the morning — he’s like ‘Man, this is Snoop. Little bro, I ain’t seen Dre this excited since The Chronic. He’s really excited about what we’re doing.’ I said, ‘Nah, you think?’ He said, ‘Y’all ain’t got what we got. Y’all go on trips on yachts with him, record and all that shit,’ because that’s how we started.”
INDIO, CA – APRIL 15: Rappers Dr. Dre (L) and Snoop Dogg perform onstage during day 3 of the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 15, 2012 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
He continued: “He took us on a yacht trip to Croatia. We were recording every day, we had three records for Snoop. When we came back, Snoop said ‘Yo, this could be something!’ That’s what set the plug, that’s what started it. That’s the last thing Snoop said to me: ‘Man, he’s really excited.’ And Snoop’s commitment to execution makes us all humble.”
As for Snoop and Dre’s chemistry in the studio, he added: “I’ve seen Snoop come in and not be in the mood to record, and he’ll still give it his all. Because a lot of people are intimidated to record with Dre. I’ve seen some of the biggest names not want to record with him because he’s that meticulous. He’ll make you do the line over and over a thousand times, then tomorrow say, ‘Yeah, I was wrong.’ That’s him. It takes a certain level of commitment to even rock with him.”
Snoop first announced that he’d be dropping an album with Dr. Dre while appearing on Stephen A. Smith’s Know Mercy podcast back in October. He hasn’t given the project an official release date, but he recently promised it’s arrival will come this summer.
Dr. Dre’s growth of his businesses over the past two decades has solidified far more than solely as a hip hop pioneer. Dr. Dre’s career began in the West-Coast world of cassette tapes and flamboyant bars. An integral member of N.W.A., he was rapping on Southern California’s sunny and impoverished streets. Over time, he would become one of the most celebrated entertainers in music history. However, he was more than an influential producer and rapper. An instrumental teacher, he developed the businesses of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and 50 Cent under Death Row Records and Aftermath Entertainment. From The Chronic to 2001, Dr. Dre flexes a musical resume that only a select few rappers can live up to.
However, Dr. Dre’s cultural blueprint has changed dramatically over the decades. Even if his career began behind the mic, he’s propelled himself into a figure whose impact surpasses the streaming charts. Many Gen-Z kids associate Dr. Dre with his external business ventures, notably Beats by Dre, rather than music. Directing several artists from the streets to the top of the world, Dr. Dre began to realize that he could operate in the shadows rather than on a concert stage.
Beats By Dre Got Started On A California Beach
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Dr. Dre performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
By the early 2000s, the groundwork had been set for Dr. Dre to transition into the business world. As the Compton-born icon was jotting down ideas for which industry he’d dive into, moving into the hardware world of sound wasn’t on his mind. It took running into the co-founder of Interscope Records, Jimmy Iovine, during an impromptu day at the beach for the soul of Beats by Dre to begin. Iovine stated, “I was walking down the beach one day and I ran into Andre Young, Dr. Dre. He just said to me, ‘Yo, my lawyer wants me to sell sneakers, what do you think?’ I said, ‘Dre, nobody in the world cares about how you dress or will care about your sneakers. What you should sell is speakers.’”
Ten years later, Iovine and Dre had spearheaded a company controlling over 50 percent of the market for premium headphones. Growing under the platform of a fantastic marketing campaign, Beats by Dre would also gradually become the go-to headphones for athletes and musicians alike. Of course, having Dr. Dre as the bannerman for the brand was crucial. He was influential in attracting various athletes and musicians to their commercials. The Defiant Ones, a four-part documentary series, focuses on the partnership and growth between Iovine and Dre while creating Beats by Dre. In May 2014, Apple purchased Beats by Dre for a staggering $3.2 billion. It was the most expensive acquisition Apple had ever made.
Dr. Dre Co-Produced Straight Outta Compton
Dr. Dre also sports a strong resume in the film and television arenas. In 2015, he co-produced Straight Outta Compton with Ice Cube, a film depicting N.W.A’s rise and fall. A tragic film depicting the unhealthy realities of street life, Straight Outta Compton would gross over $200 million worldwide. It wouldn’t be the first time that Dre would attempt to depict the harshness of his upbringing through film. In 2016, he began working on an Apple Music series titled Vital Signs. However, the series was shelved due to excessive depictions of cocaine use, gun violence, and an explicit sex scene.
Dr. Dre’s cultural influence beyond music even surpasses solely the business world. Beyond his larger-than-life persona, Dre and Iovine donated $70 million to the University of Southern California. The purpose of the donation was to fund a new generation of talent for the growing music technology business. They funded a four-year program that blends liberal arts, graphic and product design, business, and technology.
Dr. Dre’s Business Acumen Matches Jay-Z & Diddy
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 21: Sean Combs and Dr. Dre attend the Los Angeles Premiere of “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” at the Writers Guild of America, West on June 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images)
Over the past decade, it’s become a norm rather than an exception for rappers to diversify their portfolio beyond sound. Childish Gambino starred in the hit show Atlanta as Earn. Nicki Minaj has had various successful voiceover roles in Ice Age: The Continental Drift and The Angry Birds Movie 2. Dr. Dre’s success outside of the music world has rappers realizing they can leverage their fame as an entry into other career paths.
At age 58, Dr. Dre reportedly now sports a net worth of $500 million. He sits at the table with fellow hip-hop business tycoons such as Jay-Z, Diddy, and Snoop Dogg. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Chronic, Dr. Dre is releasing The Chronic Masters collection – a slow-burn series of limited-edition releases honoring the timeless classic. Released under the monger of Interscope Records, Dr. Dre’s legacy will remain legendary for decades.
Even with his controversies in mind, Dr. Dre’s impact on hip-hop, from before N.W.A. all the way to today, continues to shake its foundation. Decades after its release, publications still call a song like “Still D.R.E.” the best rap beat of all time. Now, for the 30th anniversary of his classic album The Chronic, some rare collectibles will now be available for purchase to fans. Moreover, the first drop consists of session tape prints, the session boxes themselves with the master tapes, and four exclusive skate decks. According to a press release obtained by HipHopDX, these items will be available to the public for the first time in history. “The Chronic Masters” collection is a series of drops in collaboration with Interscope and Trophy,” the release reportedly read.
Furthermore, these drops will be up for sale on June 1, and Interscope shared a stylish teaser for them. “On May 20, 1993, @drdre’s single “Fuck wit Dre Day” began its explosion,” the record label captioned its Instagram post announcing the collectibles. “To celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Chronic album, we proudly present The Chronic Masters– a slow-burn series of limited edition releases honoring the timeless legacy of this classic.
“Kicking off on June 1, 2023, at 12pm PST and 3pm EST, The Chronic Masters will feature exclusive drops throughout the year that pay homage to the legendary work of Dr. Dre,” the post’s caption continued. “Fans and collectors alike are invited to join us on this journey as we revisit one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time. Stay tuned for all the latest updates and don’t miss your chance to own a piece of music history.”
Of course, all this acclaim and celebration around The Chronic is unsurprising. After all, Rolling Stone recently named one of its standout tracks, “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang” featuring Snoop Dogg, as the best West Coast hip-hop song of all time. Sure, lists alone aren’t the only valid criteria for acclaim, but the fact that his work remains revered for such a long time by fans old and new is impressive. Still, what’s your favorite song off The Chronic? Let us know in the comments and return to HNHH for the latest news and updates on Dr. Dre.
Dr. Dre’s The Chronicis undoubtedly an album that has every right to be a classic. From groundbreaking production to stand-out performances from Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre delivered a body of work that earned its place on the National Recording Registry. However, not everyone feels that way. During an appearance on Angie Martinez’s Iconic Records, DJ Clark Kent claimed that Dr Dre’s The Chronic doesn’t stand alongside albums like Doggystyle, Reasonable Doubt, or Ready To Die.
Clark Kent listed a number of classic albums before Angie Martinez mentioned Dre’s seminal debut album. “I can’t even put The Chronic before I put [Doggystyle],” he said. “Snoop Dogg’s album is better than The Chronic. Anyways – it definitely is.” Martinez was taken aback by DJ Clark Kent’s claim about Dr Dre’s album. He added that projects like Ready To Die, Reasonable Doubt, and Life After Death are “the same album.” “All of these albums do the same thing: they begin, they hold you in the middle, they hug you, and then they end,” he added.
DJ Clark Kent’s Take On “The Chronic”
RBX WAS ON DOGGYSTYLE, CLARK! SO DOES THAT ELIMINATE DOGGYSTYLE FROM THE CLASSICS CONVERSATION, NOW??!! pic.twitter.com/5JHT9gRIPv
Ultimately, he felt as though every classic album needs to captivate you from the beginning to the end. Even one skip deters a project from reaching the status of being a “classic,” he explained. “But you have to have great songs that make that thing happen. If you don’t – if you got one song that doesn’t hit properly, you done took yourself out of the classic [thing]. Because if you could, you ain’t got a classic,” he said. “That’s why, I won’t say The Chronic is a classic because I could skip RBX.”
Clark Kent later took to the comment section of @92bricks where he said that it was solely his opinion and not one that he expected others to share. Later on, he took to his Twitter page where he divulged further on his stance. “Having an opinion, that may not be popular, doesn’t make you a hater. Also doesn’t make you bias. It makes you human,” he wrote. “I respect everyone’s opinions as their own. I will never expect anybody to be in total agreement with me.” Check his comments above and sound off with your thoughts below.
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
