PROLOGUE:

As the picture above and the video just below reveal, Dr. Dre wasn’t always about being gangster, In fact, many questioned if his later gangster rap persona was a pose based on the fact that before he was part of the 80’s electro group World Class Wreckin Cru. It’s a situation that was parodied in the film CB4 which is, if you haven’t seen it, a Chris Rock comedy masterpiece. Anyway, enjoy Dr. Dre’s sick scratching. Also keytars are dope. This track is hilarious and awesome.

Eazy-E – Boyz In Da Hood

Yo, guys. I had no fucking idea this fucking track dropped in 1986. Holy shit. That is almost 30 fucking years ago. Damn. I love this track. I still bang it. The beat is crazy for 1986, as is the subject matter when you think of all the other rap being made at that time. As a young nubile boy the lyrics of this track shocked and delighted me.

N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton

This 1988 track changed everything and it’s just a fucking obvious track to include in this list. This was in style of many other “fast” rap productions coming out at this time like the Public Enemy type shit. I never found this track to be super amazing but if I didn’t include it, y’all would cry.

The D.O.C. – Doc & The Doctor

People forget about The D.O.C. or at least I do. Don’t really know what happened to this dude after the early 90s. This beat is so huge. It’s awesome. So hard. Don’t have much more to say about it than that. Sorry.

Dr. Dre ft Snoop Doggy Dogg – Nuthin But a G Thang

Here we go. You gotta know this one or you can’t say you know rap. That’s just the law, don’t look at me that way. This 1992 track from The Chronic is important in two ways. First, it’s the first big appearance of Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart’s favourite rapper. Second, it’s the beginning of that west coast breezy rap sound. It’s music to drive to while you blaze it up.

Snoop Dogg – Who Am I (What’s My Name)

What’s not to like about this track from Snoop’s OG 1993 album that is still arguably his best. Funk levels are at an all time high on here. Not only that, but did you know that Snoop Dogg was an animorph? Well watch the video and you’ll see.

2pac ft Dr. Dre – California Love

This is one of those “forever bangers” that our grandchildren and even the cockroaches that take over the Earth after we are wiped out will enjoy. I forgot that they did a whole Mad Max Thunderdome thing with this video but now that I see it, I love it. Let’s just say it too: this is the only 2pac track that can be actually called a banger. The remix that is the “continuation” of the vid was way shittier than this one. Also check out the funk track this was based on.

Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg, Kurupt & Nate Dogg – The Next Episode

Since I had decided to do a list of ten tracks I really could only put one from 2001 on here. It could only be this one. This is another Dr. Dre banger that will be beloved for a long time. Rightfully so. It just makes you happy and wanna smoke weed. What can I really say about this? It’s indisputably awesome.

Busta Rhymes – Break Ya Neck

Ignore the first part of the video. It’s a Neptunes produced track. “Break Ya Neck” doesn’t actually begin until part way through. Ok, you there? Listen. Shit is fucking advanced as fuck for a track that came out in 2001. Like the beat is like what grime today sounds like. Just think about that.

Dr. Dre ft Knoc-Turn’al – Bad Intentions

People forget about Knoc-Turn’al even more than they forget about Dre. He had like what? One other big track he was on? Yeah. This track is a banger. The sample with the flute shit is awesome. Check out the track it came from. It’s rather good if you like that old school funk.

50 Cent – In Da Club

This is the track that still gets white girls going crazy on their birthdays. This track came out 12 years ago. Yeah. You’re old. I’m old. We’re all gonna die soon. Anyway, it’s another Dr. Dre production that just stands the test of time and critique. It holds up. Maybe forever.

PS Yeah, I know I didn’t put any Eminem. “My Name Is” is good but I find other tracks better. I could have also put Eve and Gwen Stefani’s “Let Me Blow Your Mind” in here and Mary J Blige’s “Family Affair”. I know those tracks. I play them every fucking weekend.