stringer bell
New member
36. “Next Episode” — Dr. Dre (1999)
Album: 2001
The West Coast legend took David McCallum’s “The Edge” and turned it on it’s head, creating one of the most gangsta, cinematic instrumentals of all time.
35. “Lil’ Ghetto Boy” — Dr. Dre (1992)
Album: The Chronic
While he borrowed both the song title and the sample from Donny Hathaway, Dre proved to fans that he also had enough soul to compose tunes that would one day put his name amongst the greats.
34. “Westside Story” — Game (2004)
Album: The Documentary
Dre laced the Compton MC with a menacing backdrop for this standout joint from 2005’s The Documentary, with a deep organ sounds and high pitch keys.
33. “Outta Control” Remix — 50 Cent (2006)
Album: The Massacre
The Mighty D-R-E slimmed down his G-Funk sound for the clubs, with this 2006 cut that you could easily dance to or play the wall and bop your head with the rest of the thugs
32. “Afro Puffs” — The Lady Of Rage (1994)
Album: Above The Rim (The Soundtrack
Lifting two grooves from Johnny Guitar Watson (“Superman Lover” and “Love That Will Never Die”), the good Doc concocted an evil sounding, trunk rattling banger for the West Coast rapstress that still rocks rough and stuff 16 years later.
31. “Ain’t No Fun” — Snoop Dogg (1993)
Album: Doggystyle
This classic track from Snoop’s heralded 1993 debut album, Doggystyle, showcases Dre’s signature laid-back G-Funk sound. Incorporating samples from Issac Hayes (“A Few More Kisses”) and Lynn Collins (“Think [About It]“), gang bangin’ never sounded so smooth.
30. “Keep Their Heads Ringin’ — Dr. Dre (1995)
Album: Friday (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
The spacey, funky production on this cut from the Friday soundtrack is still living up to its title 15 years later.
29. “Hello” — Ice Cube (2000)
Album:War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)
Dre and MC Ren hopping on this track from War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)created an N.W.A. reunion and Dre provided an updated sound to go along with it.
28. “Heat” — 50 Cent (2003)
Album: Get Rich or Die Tryin’
50 Cent luh dem gun sounds, and the Doctor laced him with plenty, as a gun being cocked provided the percussion on this Get Rich or Die Tryin’ banger.
27. “Forgot About Dre” — Dr. Dre (1999)
Album: 2001
To this day, this stringy 2001 standout remains one of the best collaborations between Dr. Dre and Slim Shady.
26. “Fuck Tha Police”— N.W.A (1988)
Album: Straight Outta Compton
One of the most controversial songs in hip-hop history wouldn’t have been the same without Dre’s aggressive, drum-heavy production.
25. “Imagine” — Snoop Dogg (2006)
Album: Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
Thanks to orchestral keys and D’Angelo’s soothing voice, this is one of the best Dre tracks to simply kick back and light up to.
24. “How We Do” — Game (2005)
Album: The Documentary
In addition to a hook and verses from 50, Game’s first top five hit propelled up the charts thanks to Dre’s claps and keys.
23. “Lay Low” — Snoop Dogg (2000)
Album: Tha Last Meal
Snoop Dogg’s Tha Last Meal was a slept on album, especially when one considers there were singles like this collaborative effort with Dr. Dre.
22. “Nas Is Coming” — Nas (1996)
Album: It Was Written
This track from Nas’ It Was Written—recorded during a time of heightened tension between the East and West Coasts—also marked the beginnings of Nas and Dre’s collaborative efforts, which soon resulted in The Firm, as well.
21.”Bad Intentions” — Knoc-turnal (2001)
Album: The Wash (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Dre lent his touch on the mic and the boards to this up-tempo Knoc Turn’al track which is marked by it’s constant flute sounds.
20. “X” — Xzibit (2000)
Album: Restless
How does a backpack rapper like Xzibit go from the underground to hosting MTV shows and plaques on his wall? He calls the good doctor. Dre comes with a bone-shattering beat that sounds like a great leftover from the 2001 sessions for Xzibit’s first single off the Restless album, which Dr. Dre also executive produced.
19. “Let Me Ride” — Dr. Dre (1992)
Album: The Chronic
What do you get when you mix James Brown drums, with a bit of Bill Withers’ percussion, then throw in some Parliament for good measure? 1992’s “Let Me Ride,” one of Dre’s most memorable tracks. 18 years later and the instrumental still stands up against anything being produced today.
18. “Phone Tap” — The Firm (1997)
Album: The Album
In the wake of the dreaded East Coast/West Coast beef and the deaths of both 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G., Dre hooked up with Nas’ The Firm and helped bridge the coastal divide. A testament to the union was “Phone Tap”, Dre’s take on New York’s then-Mafia inspired sound. Ironic how a flip of Chris Barber’s 1959 diddy “Petite Fleur,” (translation: little flower) turned out to be one of rap’s hardest beats ever.
17. “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” — Eve (2002)
Album: Scorpion
Always known for hip-hop hits, Dre once again proved his pop prowess in 2001 when he laced Eve and guest Gwen Stefani with the instrumental for “Let Me Blow Yar Mind.” Hard enough for E-V-E’s aggressive raps, by bright enough for Gwen’s crossover-styled vocals, Dre conjured up the best of both worlds and gained a Grammy for the track.
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