While the first Chronic slowed down rap’s radically brash tempo while still maintaining a hard yet convivial street edge, 2001 blasts it into the future, no longer ripping drum breaks and samples off vinyl records, now dialling in resolute drum programming, full orchestra strings, and brand new synthesizers. They also represented a new futuristic, digitally clean sound.

“Still D.R.E.”, “Big Ego’s”, “The Watcher”, “Light Speed”, “The Next Episode’, “Ackrite”, and “Forgot About Dre” have solidified classic status, paving the way for the next generation of hitmaking. The reach of 2001 could not be grander with a plethora of massive singles that have been embroidered in the cultural fabric, most of them mixed into a mind boggling Side A. Much like Star Wars for space movies or even Apple for computers, it’s hard for some to properly credit something so hugely popular that it became the commercial standard and one of the main agents that propelled its art out of the underground. 2001, known by many as The Chronic 2001, represents something of a leap forward for hip hop music.

Dr dre chronic 2001 tracklist