Tracy Lynn Curry, known as
The D.O.C., is an American
rapper from
Dallas,
Texas. He was a member of the
Fila Fresh Crew and a creative force behind the rap group
N.W.A.
History
Early career
The D.O.C. contributed lyrics and vocals to
N.W.A.'s second album,
Straight Outta Compton and to
Eazy E's debut,
Eazy-Duz-It. He was recruited as a member of
Fila Fresh Crew which turned out successful until he went to California for N.W.A.. When
Ice Cube left the group, the group remained impressed with The D.O.C.'s work and kept him on board. In 1989, The D.O.C. released his
Dr. Dre-produced debut album,
No One Can Do It Better. The album was very well received by critics, and sold very well, peaking at #20 on the
Billboard 200.
Allmusic gives the album a five-star rating and describes it as "an early landmark of West Coast Rap" as well as "an undeniable masterpiece"
Accident
Not long after his debut album was released, his
vocal cords were damaged in a car accident, which would prove to be an insurmountable obstacle for his continued career as a vocalist. In 2006, Jerry Heller of
Ruthless Records stated that The D.O.C. could have had his voice recovered up to 90% but was suffering from depression and was "lazy", causing the voice we now know today.
However, The D.O.C. remained important to
Dr. Dre, who used his talents as one of the writers for his debut solo album
The Chronic, contributing to the tracks "Lil' Ghetto Boy," "A Nigga Witta Gun," and "
Bitches Ain't Shit". He also appeared on the skit track "The $20 Sack Pyramid." He is referenced by name in "Nuthin' but a G Thang," and appears in the song's video as well. The liner notes to
The Chronic say, "I want to give a special shout out to The D.O.C. for talking me into doin' this album." The D.O.C. also worked on
Snoop Dogg's debut album
Doggystyle and added some vocals on the song "Serial Killa". Also, the words, "No one can do it better", the name of his first album, were featured on the song "The Next Episode" by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg and "Public Service Announcement" by Jay-Z as a direct reference to the rapper.
Surgery
It was revealed by The D.O.C. himself on Twitter, that LA-Based Publicist, Idalyze Nasiha Rose assisted him in finding the doctor that would perform the surgery to repair his vocal cords.
In a
2009 interview that fellow rapper
Snoop Dogg assisted him in seeing this voice therapist in which resulted in him learning that his vocal chords have not been severed nor crushed and could be repaired up to 70%. He is currently undergoing final tests before the surgery takes place, which could possibly be televised.
Media appearances
- He made a guest appearance in Shyne's music-video for the song "That's Gangsta", which samples the same beat D.O.C. uses for his first hit "It's Funky Enough", Foster Sylvers's "Misdemeanor". The song "Lend Me An Ear was featured on Lakai skate shoe's video "Fully Flared
Discography
