Dr. Dre: 2001 (2LP) [AFTERMATH/INTERSCOPE]

Why you'll love it

This 2LP reissue is fully uncensored, sleeve included. 2001 debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 516,000 copies in its first week and has sold more than 7.8 million in the US.

This edition

• 2LP set
• Uncensored edition

About the album

Seven years after The Chronic, the whispers said Dr. Dre had lost his touch. He took it personally. Working mostly with Mel-Man at his new Aftermath label, he built an album he described as a movie, with build-ups, quiet moments and a dark sense of humour, and it was originally meant to be called Chronic 2001 until a trademark tussle shortened the name.

"Still D.R.E.," with Snoop Dogg, rides one of the most famous piano figures in hip hop. "Forgot About Dre" hands the mic to a young Eminem, "The Next Episode" brings in Snoop, Kurupt and Nate Dogg over a cinematic sample, and "Xxplosive" lays down the slow, bass-heavy bounce that a generation of producers copied. Xzibit, Hittman, Devin the Dude and MC Ren all pass through, and the whole thing sounds expensive in a way few rap records did in 1999.

It went six times platinum, and the production still sets the bar for West Coast rap. Customers tend to hum the beat at the counter while asking if we have it in stock, which does save everyone time.

Also at Kops: more Dr. Dre on vinyl · browse Hip Hop / R&B

Tracklist

Listen

On Aftermath / Interscope (cat# B0030217-01), a reissue of the 1999 album.