On this day in 1992, Dr. Dre released his critically-acclaimed debut album The Chronic on Death Row Records.
At the time of its release, Dre had already made a name for himself as a producer and lyricist with the notorious Los Angeles-based rap group N.W.A. The group released its debut Straight Outta Compton on Eazy-E's Ruthless Records in 1988.
Dre eventually parted ways with the group and label, shortly after Ice Cube's departure in 1990. He went on to co-found Death Row Records with Marion "Suge" Knight. In 1992, the label released its first single Dre's "Deep Cover." The track featured a then up-and-coming rapper by the name of Snoop Doggy Dogg, who came highly recommended by Dre's step brother, rapper Warren G.
Snoop and Dre would go on to record several tracks, nine of which were featured on The Chronic. The two became the dynamic duo of the hip-hop world as Snoop's smooth signature flow meshed perfectly with Dre's nostalgic funk samples. Kurupt, Rage, RBX and Daz were also featured on the album
In its review, Rolling Stone gave The Chronic 4 stars out of 5, calling it a "hip-hop masterwork full of big beats and little surprises."
Although Dre's been making more trouble than music lately (the pummeling of a female video host, an assault in L.A., a brawl in New Orleans, other mayhem; the menacing single "Deep Cover" was his only output last year), the sonic architect - now charging that Eazy-E and N.W.A manager Jerry Heller robbed him - hasn't lost his stride in the studio. On The Chronic, he's conducting a hip-hop orchestra and stepping with a band of youngstas.
Throughout, The Chronic drops raw realism and pays tribute to hip-hop virtuosity.
The Chronic went triple platinum and earned Dre his first Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance on the track "Let Me Ride." In 1992, he also produced on Snoop Doggy Dogg's quadruple platinum debut Doggystyle.
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