2001 is the second studio album by American hip hop producer and rapper Dr. Dre, released November 16, 1999 on Aftermath Records. The album was produced by Dr. Dre, Mel-Man, Lord Finesse, and Scott Storch, and it was recorded during 1998 and 1999. 2001 features guest appearances from rappers such as Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Xzibit. It is the follow-up to Dr. Dre's debut album, The Chronic (1992). 2001 exhibits an expansion on the G-funk sound of The Chronic, and it features gangsta rap lyrical themes such as violence, promiscuity, drug use, street gangs, and crime. 2001 debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 charts with sales of over 550,000 units. On November 21, 2000, it was certified six times platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), following sales in excess of 6 million in the United States. Despite some negative criticism towards the album's gangsta motifs, 2001 received generally positive reviews from music critics. The album has been credited with bringing the West Coast hip hop scene back to the spotlight after years of obscurity, while showing that Dr. Dre could still remain prominent with a new generation of listeners and viewers. 2001 also further established the career of Eminem, who eventually became one of the best-selling rappers of all time. In 2006, Hip Hop Connection named 2001 the tenth best album in hip hop. ConceptionBackgroundIn an interview with The New York Times, Dr. Dre talked of his motivation to record the album and how he felt that he had to prove himself to fans and media again after doubts arose over his production and rapping ability. These doubts came from the fact that he had not released a solo studio album since The Chronic (1992). He stated: He went on to speak of how the album was originally intended to be a mixtape; with tracks linked through interludes and turntable effects, but then changed to be set-up like a film, stating "Everything you hear is planned. It's a movie, with different varieties of situations. So you've got buildups, touching moments, aggressive moments. You've even got a 'Pause for Porno.' It's got everything that a movie needs. [ He talked of how he did not record the album for club or radio play and that he planned the album simply for entertainment with comical aspects throughout, stating "I'm not trying to send out any messages or anything with this record. I just basically do hard-core hip-hop and try to add a touch of dark comedy here and there. A lot of times the media just takes this and tries to make it into something else when it's all entertainment first. You shouldn't take it too seriously."]RecordingSome of the lyrics on the album used by Dre have been noted to be penned by several ghostwriters. Jay-Z wrote lyrics for Dr. Dre on the track "Still D.R.E." Jay-Z is given writing credit under his real name, S. Carter, in the album liner notes. Royce Da 5'9" was rumored to be a ghostwriter on the album. He was noted for writing the last track, "The Message" [ Selina Thompson. . The Situation. Accessed June 12, 2008.] however, he is not credited by his legal name or alias in the liner notes. A track he recorded on the album, originally named "The Way I Be Pimpin'", was later retouched as "Xxplosive"; this version has Dr. Dre rapping penned verses by Royce and featured Royce's vocals on the chorus. Royce wrote several tracks such as "The Throne Is Mine" and "Stay In Your Place" which were later cut from the final track list. The tracks have been leaked later on several mixtapes, including Pretox.[ . DatPiff.com. Accessed May 12, 2008.]
The album was recorded during 1998 and 1999, following Eminem's release of The Slim Shady LP, which Dr. Dre executive produced. This style of production was continued onto 2001, with new, sparse beats and reduced use of samples which were prominent on his debut album.[ Co-producer Scott Storch talked of how Dr. Dre used his collaborators during recording sessions: "At the time, I saw Dr. Dre desperately needed something. He needed a fuel injection, and Dre utilized me as the nitrous oxide. He threw me into the mix, and I sort of tapped on a new flavor with my whole piano sound and the strings and orchestration. So I'd be on the keyboards, and Mike [Elizondo] was on the bass guitar, and Dre was on the drum machine."][ . Rolling Stone (June 29, 2006). Accessed May 25, 2008.] Josh Tyrangiel of Time has described the recording process which Dr. Dre employs, stating "Every Dre track begins the same way, with Dre behind a drum machine in a room full of trusted musicians. (They carry beepers. When he wants to work, they work.) He'll program a beat, then ask the musicians to play along; when Dre hears something he likes, he isolates the player and tells him how to refine the sound."[ Josh Tyrangiel (September 15, 2001). . Time. Accessed May 25, 2008.]MusicProductionThe album primarily featured co-production between Dr. Dre and Mel-Man and was generally well-received by critics. Allmusic writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted that Dr. Dre had expanded on the G-funk beats on his previous album, The Chronic, and stated, "He's pushed himself hard, finding new variations in the formula by adding ominous strings, soulful vocals, and reggae, resulting in fairly interesting recontextualizations" and went on to say "sonically, this is first-rate, straight-up gangsta".[ Entertainment Weeklys Tom Sinclair depicted it as "Chilly keyboard motifs gliding across gut-punching bass lines, strings and synths swooping in and out of the mix, naggingly familiar guitar licks providing visceral punctuation".][ NME described the production as "patented tectonic funk beats and mournful atmospherics".][ PopMatters praised the production, stating that "the hip-hop rhythms are catchy, sometimes in your face, sometimes subtle, but always a fine backdrop for the power of Dre's voice."][ Jon Pareles of The New York Times mentioned that the beats were "lean and immaculate, each one a pithy combination of beat, rap, melody and strategic silences".][ Jon Pareles (November 14, 1999). . The New York Times. Accessed May 25, 2008.] The album marked the beginning of Dr. Dre's collaboration with keyboardist Scott Storch, who had previously worked with The Roots and is credited as a co-writer on several of 2001s tracks, including the hit single "Still D.R.E.". Storch would later go on to become a successful producer in his own right, and has been credited as a co-producer with Dr. Dre on some of his productions since.[ Jason Birchmeier. . Allmusic. Accessed May 24, 2008.]LyricsThe lyrics on the album received criticism and created some controversy. They include many themes associated with gangsta rap, such as violence, promiscuity, street gangs, drive-by shootings, crime and drug usage. Erlewine said that the only subject matter on the album was "violence, drugs, pussy, bitches, dope, guns, and gangsters" and that these themes have become repetitive and unchanged in the last ten years.[ Critics noted that Dr. Dre had differed from his effort to "clean-up his act" which he tried to establish with his 1996 single, "Been There, Done That" from ]Dr. Dre Presents...The Aftermath.[ Jon Pareles (November 14, 1999). . ] NME mentioned that the album was full of "pig-headed, punk-dicked, 'bitch'-dissing along with requisite dollops of ho-slapping violence, marijuana-addled bravado and penis-sucking wish fulfilment."[ Massey noted that the lyrics were overly explicit but praised his delivery and flow: "His rhymes are quick, his delivery laid back yet full of punch."][ The rhymes involve Dr. Dre's return to the forefront of hip hop, which is conveyed in the singles "Still D.R.E." and "Forgot About Dre". Many critics cited the last track, "The Message"; a song dedicated to Dr. Dre's deceased brother, as what the album could have been without the excessively explicit lyrics,][ with Massey calling it "downright beautiful" and "a classic of modern rap".]SinglesThree singles were released from the album: "Still D.R.E.", "Forgot About Dre" and "The Next Episode". "Fuck You", "Let's Get High", "What's The Difference" and "Xxplosive" were not officially released as singles but received some radio airplay which resulted in them charting in the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.[ . Allmusic. Accessed May 24, 2008.] "Still D.R.E." was released as the lead single in October 1999. It peaked at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 32 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and reached number 11 on the Hot Rap Singles.[ It reached number six on the UK single charts in March 2000.][ . everyHit.com. Accessed May 24, 2008. Note: User must define search parameters, i.e., "Dr Dre".] The song was nominated at the 2000 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, but lost to The Roots and Erykah Badu's "You Got Me".
"Forgot About Dre" was released as the second single in 2000 and like the previous single, it was a hit on multiple charts. It reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 14 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and number 3 on the Rhythmic Top 40.[ It reached number seven on the UK single charts in June 2000.][ The accompanying music video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video in 2000. The song won Dr. Dre and Eminem Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2001 Grammy Awards.][ . Grammy. Accessed May 24, 2008. Note: User must define search parameters, i.e., "Dr. Dre"] "The Next Episode" was released as the third and final single in 2000. It peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 11 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and number 2 on the Rhythmic Top 40.[ It peaked at number three on UK single charts in February 2001.][ It was nominated at the 2001 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, but the award went to Dr. Dre and Eminem for "Forgot about Dre".]ReceptionCommercial performanceThe album has sold 7.23 million copies in the United States up to July 2008 and was certified six times Platinum by the RIAA on November 21, 2000.[ . Recording Industry Association of America. Accessed May 25, 2008.] It is Dr. Dre's best selling album, as his previous album, The Chronic, was certified three times Platinum.[. Recording Industry Association of America. Accessed May 25, 2008.] The album first appeared on music charts in 1999, peaking on the Billboard 200 at number two behind nu metal band KoЯn's 4th studio album Issues and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums at number one.[ The album was successful in Canada where it reached number three on the charts.][ The record was mildly successful in Europe, reaching number 15 in France, number 17 in the Netherlands and number 26 in Norway. It peaked at number 11 on the New Zealand album chart.][ At the end of 2000, the album was number five on the Billboard Year-End Top Albums and number one on the Billboard Year-End Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.][ . ]Billboard. Accessed May 25, 2008.[. Billboard. Accessed May 25, 2008.] It re-entered the charts in 2003, peaking on the UK Albums Top 75 at number 61 and on the Ireland Albums Top 75 at number 30.Critical responseThe album was generally well-received by critics. In Rolling Stones The Immortals - The Greatest Artists of All Time, where Dr. Dre was listed at number 54, Kanye West talked of how the track "Xxplosive" inspired him: "'Xxplosive', off 2001, that's [where] I got my entire sound from—if you listen to the track, it's got a soul beat, but it's done with those heavy Dre drums. Listen to 'This Can't Be Life,' a track I did for Jay-Z's Dynasty album, and then listen to 'Xxplosive'. It's a direct bite."[ Kanye West (April 7, 2005). . ]Rolling Stone. Accessed May 21, 2008.[ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. . Allmusic. Accessed May 21, 2008.] Entertainment Weeklys Tom Sinclair praised the production, calling it "uncharacteristically sparse sound" from Dr. Dre and that it was as "addictive as it was back when over 3 million record buyers got hooked on The Chronic and Snoop Dogg's Dre-produced Doggystyle" and went on to commend Dr. Dre, stating, "If any rap producer deserves the title "composer", it's he."[ Tom Sinclair (November 15, 1999). . Entertainment Weekly. Accessed May 21, 2008.] NME mentioned that Dr. Dre didn't expand the genre, but it was "powerful enough in parts, but not clever enough to give Will Smith the fear".[ . NME (November 18, 1999). Accessed May 21, 2008. 2009-05-14.] PopMatters writer Chris Massey declared that "Musically, 2001 is about as close to brilliant as any one gangsta rap album might possibly get."[ Chris Massey. . PopMatters. Accessed May 21, 2008.] Christopher John Farley of Time stated that "The beats are fresh and involving, and Dre's collaborations with Eminem and Snoop Dogg have ferocity and wit."[ Christopher John Farley (November 29, 1999). . Time. Accessed May 21, 2008.]
The album received negative criticism. Rock critic Robert Christgau of The Village Voice gave 2001 a C rating and wrote unfavorably of Dr. Dre's misogynistic lyrics, stating "It's a New Millennium, but he's Still S.L.I.M.E.".[ Sinclair mentioned similar views of the lyrics, calling them "filthy", but noted "none of [this] should diminish Dre's achievement".][ NME spoke of how the lyrics were too explicit, stating, "As the graphic grooves stretch out, littered with gunfire, bombings and 'copters over Compton, and the bitch-beating baton is handed from Knock-Turnal to Kurupt, 2001 reaches gangsta-rap parody-level with too many tracks coming off like porno-Wu outtakes."][ Massey referred to the lyrics as a "caricature of an ethos [rather] than a reflection of any true prevailing beliefs."][ In its March 2006 issue, Hip Hop Connection ranked 2001 number 10 on its list of the 100 Best Albums (1995–2005) in hip hop.][Staff. "". Hip Hop Connection: Issue #198. March 2006. Accessed 2009-08-14. 2009-08-16.]Track listing{|class="wikitable"
!#
!Title
!Featured Performer(s)
!Samples
!Time
|-
|1
|"Lolo" [Intro]
|Xzibit, Tray Deee
|
|0:41
|-
|2
|"Watcher"
|
|
|3:26
|-
|3
|"Fuck You"
|Devin The Dude, Snoop Dogg
|
|3:25
|-
|4
|"Still D.R.E."
|Snoop Dogg
|
|4:30
|-
|5
|"Big Ego's"
|Hittman
|
|3:58
|-
|6
|"Xxplosive"
|Hittman, Kurupt, Nate Dogg, Six-Two
|- "Bumpy's Lament" by Soul Mann & the Brothers
|3:35
|-
|7
|"What's The Difference?"
|Xzibit, Eminem
|
|4:04
|-
|8
|"Bar One" (Skit)
|Traci Nelson, Ms. Roq, Eddie Griffin
|
|0:50
|-
|9
|"Light Speed"
|Hittman
|
|2:40
|-
|10
|"Forgot About Dre"
|Eminem
|- "Born and Raised in Compton" by DJ Quik
|3:42
|-
|11
|"Next Episode"
|Kurupt, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg
|
|2:41
|-
|12
|"Let's Get High"
|Hittman, Kurupt, Ms. Roq
|
|2:27
|-
|13
|"Bitch Niggas"
|Snoop Dogg, Hittman, Six-Two
|- "Break Hard, Dude" by AC/DC
|4:13
|-
|14
|"Car Bomb" (Skit)
|Mel-Man, Charis Henry
|
|1:00
|-
|15
|"Murder Ink"
|Hittman, Ms. Roq
|
|2:28
|-
|16
|"Ed-Ucation"
|Eddie Griffin
|- "Diamonds Are Forever" Franck Pourcel
|1:32
|-
|17
|"Some L.A. Niggas"
|MC Ren, Time Bomb, King Tee, Knoc-turn'al, Kokane, Hittman, Xzibit, Defari
|
|4:25
|-
|18
|"Pause 4 Porno" (Skit)
|Jake Steed
|
|1:32
|-
|19
|"Housewife"
|Hittman, Kurupt
|
|4:02
|-
|20
|"Ackrite"
|Hittman
|
|3:39
|-
|21
|"Bang Bang"
|Hittman, Knoc-turn'al
|
|3:42
|-
|22
|"Message"
|Mary J. Blige, Robert Hall Jr.
|
|5:04
|-
|23
|"Outro [Non Album Version]"
|
|0:25Chart historyPersonnel- Dr. Dre – executive producer/producer/mixer/performer
- Eminem – performer, vocals, ghostwriter
- Hittman – performer, ghostwriter
- Camara Kambon – keyboards
- Larry Chatman – production manager
- Kirdis G. Tucker – Aftermath product manager
- Charles "Big Chuck" Stanton – A&R director
- Damon "Bing" Chatman – Aftermath project coordinator
- Michelle Thomas – Interscope product manager
- Andrew Van Meter – Interscope production coordinator
- Ekaterina Kenney – Interscope photo shoot coordinator
- Richard "Segal" Huredia – album/mix engineer/collage photographer
- Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – masterer
- Paul Foley – album editor
- Charis Henry – collage concept
- Stan Musilik – photographer
- Donn Thompson – photographer
- Jason Clark – art director/designer
|
|
