You might know his headphones.
But do you know his music? Dr Dre — or as we can now refer to him, the first billionaire of hip-hop — has been an acclaimed rapper and producer for nearly 3- years. Get to know the man and his music as, drawing from Dre’s work both as a producer and artist, Danny C picks his top five tracks.
1. The Next Episode
Die-hard hip-hop fans may disagree with me, but I’d have to say this track rates top on the Dre spectrum. Drop this track in any club anywhere in the world at any time during the night and you’re a winner. Also debatably the best track from Dre’s 2001 album.
2. Still D.R.E
This beats on this track are so influential that the sample has been use again and again, crossing genres and back. This track is iconic in the hip-hop genre.
3. Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang
True hip-hop fans might put this track on top — and I can see why: it reached No 1 on the Billboard rap, hip-hop and R&B charts, and No 2 in the Billboard 100.
4. Forgot About Dre
This was considered Dre’s return to the hip-hop scene, almost a decade after his debut album. With one song and a little help from Eminem, Dre answered his critics, won a Grammy and reminded the hip-hop scene how significant his influence really is.
5. Califonia Love
I know what you’re thinking — this is 2Pac’s track. Yes it is and he did make it famous, and this is why it’s five and not one on my list. But Dre not only featured but actually produced the track too, making it iconic and hammering it home in the hip-hop hall of fame.
— Listen to Danny C’s Rude Awakening, every weekday morning from 6am.
