Album Review : Dr. Dre – The Chronic (2023 Reissue)

One of the most essential rap records ever

The Chronic was nothing short of revolutionary when it first arrived in 1992. The debut album of rap legend Andre Romelle Young, better known as Dr. Dre, released by his record label Death Row Records, The Chronic oozes self-confidence, anger and passion. The record has now been reissued in honor of its 30th anniversary.

“The Chronic (Intro)” is a bass-heavy track with high-pitched synths that distort the listening experience; a reminder that this is no ordinary opening track. Dr. Dre welcomes the listener to what would become the iconic Death Row Records and scornfully disses former N.W.A member Eazy-E and Jerry Heller, former partners of Dre’s who co-owned Ruthless Records. This intro became a crucial part of West Coast rap/hip-hop history and a game-changer for producers everywhere.

There’s something for every rap fan on The Chronic, even casual rap listeners will recognize the hit “Nuthin’ but a G-thang” from its ’70s-like funky instrumental to a fun chorus graced by Snoop Dog a perfect song to inhale the good and exhale the bad.

Storytelling is a big part of the album. “Lil Ghetto Boy” is an inside perspective of street life in Compton. The intro is from a snippet of the 1992 Los Angeles riots which feels like the underbelly theme of the whole album.  The violence that altered California history is on full display with lyrics such as “…it’s only me little ghetto boy..what you gonna do when you grow up and have to face responsibility?” These lyrics paint a sad truth about inner city youth culture in south Los Angeles.

At a time when glitz and glamour filled the Hollywood industry and pop and indie-ruled radio station viewers, this album shows a very real and street-like point of view. A story that wouldn’t dare be televised, working in Dre’s favor. The Chronic is authentic gangsta rap and the influence is still present in West Coast music thirty years later. This album is great for listeners who want to expand their hip-hop knowledge or want to learn what the real LA county is all about.