Dr. Dre and Jay-Z’s The Chronic 2001 and The Blueprint, respectively, are two impressive bodies of work. Though HHAD has not ran neither albums on the polls yet, the Hip Hop world hold them both to high regard. With that being said, let’s discuss those two albums.
Released in November 1999, it was much hype surrounding The Chronic 2001 — mainly due to Dre’s near 8-year hiatus. Fans, critics, and the streets wondered was he still an asset to the culture. Dre would address the elephant in the room in “Forgot About Dre,” the album’s second single.
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“Who you think brought you the oldies, Eazy E’s, Ice Cubes, and D.O.C.’s, the Snoop D-O-double-G’s, and the group that said ‘mothaf*ck the police!’ Gave you a tape full of dope beats to bump when you stroll through in your hood, and when your album sales wasn’t doing too good, who’s the Doctor they told you to go see?,” Dre raps.
As Dre usually does, he recruited a host of top notch rappers and writers to help create his sophomore album. Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Jay-Z, Devin The Dude, Kurupt, Hittman, Xzibit, and The D.O.C., among others, were listed as contributors.
Dre handled the production, however, he didn’t act alone. Scott Storch and Mel-Man would assist.
Aside from the album’s hit singles such as the aforementioned track, “Still D.R.E.,” and “The Next Episode,” other tracks such as “Fuck You,” “Let’s Get High,” “What’s the Difference,” and “Xxplosive” got a lot of radio play which resulting in the them charting.
The Chronic 2001 peak at number 5 and number 1 on the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, respectively. It would go 7x platinum (over 7 million copies sold) as well.
There were much hype surrounding the release of Jay-Z’s The Blueprint as well. Despite being released on 9/11, the day of the terrorist attacks, “The Blueprint classic couldn’t even be stopped by Bin Laden.”
Like Dre, Jigga had to do some outsourcing, however, it wasn’t in the lyrics department. Producers Kanye West and Just Blaze reported when duty called.
Just Blaze produced “Girls, Girls, Girls,” and “Song Cry.” While Ye handled “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” “Never Change,” and the controversial “Takeover,” a track consisting of Jay taking shots at Mobb Deep and Nas. Beef with the latter is considered one of the greatest beefs in Hip Hop.
“Renegade,” a track produced by and features Eminem, was another non-single that garnered a lot attention due to Nas and some fans claiming Em got the best of Jay.
Jay did his part in terms of superb lyrics — in addition to production — which resulted in The Blueprint being labeled as one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time.
The Blueprint peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified double-platinum.
Two dope albums–who you guys got?
Which was the better album; Dr. Dre’s The Chronic 2001 or Jay-Z’s The Blueprint?
[Polls Are Closed!]
Dr. Dre – The Chronic 2001 – 67%
Jay-Z – The Blueprint – 33%