Posted by:

Big Ben68

| 11:08 AM ET  01.08 | "Who da ya think brought you da OGs, Eazy-Es, Ice Cubes, and DOCs, the Snoop D-o-double G, and the group that said motha f8ck the Po-lice?"

 

The above clip is from Dr. Dre's first verse in "Forgot About Dre" from his album 2001 (aka Chronic 2001).  This line just tells you a few of the greats in rap that Dr. Dre had a hand in bringing to the hip hop scene.  I decided to follow the example of Esco and continue this new series of Ultimate Playlists with not only one of the best West Coast rappers/producers, but also in hip hop/rap as a whole.  For this playlist I've decided to omit any songs that weren't actually Dr. Dre songs (like California Love despite it originally being Dre's, Suge Knight told him to give it to the new Death Row Records recruit Tupac Shakur).  Now just imagine jamming to these hot tracks as you roll down the street (NOTE: having completed this and looked it over, I've decided that this Dre list is NOT in order):

1. Forgot About Dre feat. Eminem: Near impossible to say this song (or really any song) can be number one, but this song is my absolute favorite Dr. Dre track. The chorus, provided by Eminem, was great along with his verse sandwiched between two Dr. Dre verses. If you haven't heard this song, then you MUST immediately buy this CD or if you don't like this song, then please kill yourself...rid the world of yourself (I am not held liable for anything).
2. Still D.R.E feat. Snoop Dogg: Now I know the top two are BOTH songs from 2001, but EVERY song on that album is good in some form or another. But Snoop, as with the previous Dre album The Chronic, is on a good amount of the songs. In this low riding classic Snoop Dogg hits us with the chorus and Dr. Dre provides his three verses. Nine-nine fo' pennies..."still hittin' them low-lows girl"
3. It's F8ck wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin') feat. Snoop Dogg: This is one of those tracks on The Chronic (like most of them) that concentrates just as much on talking s*it about Eazy-E and his click than on making an album, but it worked as The Chronic went like double or triple platinum...but it still comes out as a great track.
4. Let Me Ride feat. Snoop Dogg and Daz: Another of The Chronic's tracks aimed partially at dissing Eazy-E.  Also, like most of The Chronic, it has the G-Funk sound that dominated much of hip hop (and Death Row Records artists) during the 1990s.
5. The Watcher: well, personally, I like this song as it is the opening song on 2001 after the LOLO Intro and was laid with a great beat. Dr. Dre raps out three verses discussing what's changed for him in both his life and the business he works ("Things just ain't been the same for gangstas...").
6. The Next Episode feat. Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg: The track directly following Forgot About Dre keeps the s*it rolling as Dre and Snoop swap bars and Nate Dogg rounds out the song with the line "Smoke weed e'eryday" after a long pause having finished his sung bars.
7. What's the Difference feat. Eminem, Xzibit, and Hittman: Another 2001 highlight (sorry I love that album) with the newly (at the time) signed Eminem making his first appearance (this track appears on the CD before Forgot About Dre which is the 10^th track) and showcasing his abilities; Dre and Xzibit each give a verse and Hittman lays down the chorus.
8. California Love Remix feat. Dr. Dre: Tupac was given this track by Dr. Dre to help him burst into the hip hop industry and it worked to absolute perfection. They did have a falling out and on the track "To Live & Die in LA" Tupac says, "California Love Part 2...without Gay Dre." So as you see...anyway, I included this because I felt like it...good song has Pac and Dr. Dre...so why not?

 

For the sake of not wanting to use a plethora of songs from 2001 and only two or three from The Chronic I'll end at 7 (plus one) tracks, but...a little extra something for you readers as I give a 14 song listing of what I've listened to in the past few days (I have listened to far more songs than this, but here are some of my favorites).  If you want to listen along, I suggest pulling out the headphones and get to listening:

 

1. Dopefiend's Diner: This is track eleven on the Tupac compilation Best of Tupac Vol.2: Life. It's tough to describe just how great this track is...the chorus is heart felt and touching. The lyrics just send goose bumps down your body and all the while Tupac delivers in a style that I recently heard where it was originally used. I HIGHLY recommend either buying the album this song originated from or purchasing the compilation album.
2. Still Ballin' feat. Trick Daddy: Another Tupac song from the Vol. 2: Life compilation, but for just reasons. Despite the song clocking in at about 3 minutes it is able to fit in three outstanding verses (two from Pac, one from Trick). Tupac does most of the chorus with Trick Daddy providing extra in some places and all this is done over a catchy as well as addicting beat...kind of like Dopefiend's Diner.
3. Big Poppa: a bit old, but this was one of the FIRST songs (from a compilation of B.I.G.) that I loaded on my new MP3 player...great song from Big Poppa. Not much to say, but if you don't like Biggie, then find a different person to make a playlist for you.
4. Hip Hop Police feat. Slick Rick: Chamillionaire is an amazing lyricist and solidifies that fact on not only this track but the ENTIRE Ultimate Victory album, though he doesn't curse during the entire album and semi-censors his guest appearances it still shines. This track is a must hear for most any hip hop fan.
5. The Perfect Beat feat. KRS-ONE: Talib Kweli and KRS-ONE combine to create what is the Perfect Beat on Kweli's latest album Ear Drum. They interchange the chorus and to quote Dylan, "They speet hot fia!" This track highlights a very good effort from Kweli on Ear Drum. When I had it playing in my car I'd usually play this track twice...[shrugs] it's just that good.
6. Notorious Thugs feat. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: Yeah, another B.I.G. song, so shoot me >_>. I find this song to be a great example of B.I.G.'s lyrical prowess in that he sped up his own, normally slow deliver to keep pace with the mach speed spitting of the Bone Thugs Krayzie, Layzie, Wish, Flesh, and Bizzie.
7. What U Gon Do feat. Lil' Scrappy: Lil' Jon & The Eastside Boyz opened up the release of CrunkJuice with the hard crunk rock of What U Gon' Do. Now I'm not a fan of many Crunk, Snap, or other music like that, but Lil' Jon's Crunk music and his music overall is just addicting for me...I'm still waiting for CrunkRock [clenches $20 bill in right hand]. A bit more upbeat and in-your-face than the other songs upon this list, but definitely a pace changer for this playlist.
8. Touch It: Pick any remix or even the original track of Busta Rhymes' Big Bang Banger and you'll have a song you just want to listen to over and over and over and over again...if you get all the different mixes together on a CD you can go with that too...Keeps the bass heavy as we move along...
9. I Ain't Mad At Cha: More Tupac, but back from the 1996 release (and 2003 re-release) of All Eyez On Me. Slowin' it down as we get to the end.
10. F8ck Tha Police: Aah, classic N.W.A. Yeah, I just got back up into people's faces with this one...anyway, onto the home stretch. If you've been listening along with me, then I hope you enjoy the ending.
11. Let's Go feat. Lil' Jon and Twista: Gettin' s*it crunk again with the Trick Daddy, Lil' Jon, and Twista collaboration...LET'S GO!!! Ah, I love this song...this is a song for those rock people too as Lil' Jon used the Ozzy Osbourne song, "Crazy Train" as his base beat...actually Crazy Train and Let's Go sound nearly the same in terms of music, but obviously different in terms of lyrics.
12. Holidae Inn feat. Snoop Dogg and Ludacris: Chingy's biggest hit besides Right Thurr is my favorite song by Chingy...unfortunately he's fallen on his face a bit with his last two albums (Big Balla and Hoodstar) even though Hoodstar had at least five or six good songs. His latest album Hate It or Love It is decent as well if you were wondering...
13. Duffle Bag Boy feat. Lil Wayne: Wayne may not be amazing on his own albums, but man does he light s*it on fire on other rappers albums and that pattern continues as all he does is supply the chorus on Duffle Bag Boy while Playaz Circle dishes out the bars and a white hot track is made.
14. International Player's Anthem feat. Outkast: And now the finale of a great playlist as I finish it off with two of the best groups in southern rap and rap overall in Outkast and UGK. Andre 3000 hits us off first, then Pimp C (RIP) breaks in followed by Bun Beater and wrapped up by Big Boi. A great way to end a playlist.

I hope you enjoyed listeningalong with me today and I can't (and hopefully you can't) wait until the next time we blast some heat out of the speakers.  Also, remember to listen to some good hip hop/rap...that means put down the Soulja Boy CD and pick up that Tupac album...and so, that's my time for today.  Rest in Peace Pac!

"Okay...I will!"