Happy 44th birthday today to Andre Young, better known as Dr. Dre. At this point I’ve completely given up on hearing Detox, but Dre’s existing discography—between N.W.A., his solo albums and the work he’s done for other artists—is enough to make his birthday worthy of a tribute post.
If you happen to be one of those lucky bastards in the New York City area, you can celebrate Dre’s birthday in style at Santos Party House with some DJs spinning classic Dre tracks. It’s possible the irony factor might be in danger of sucking the fun out of the festivities (an open bar of 40s? really?), but with top-quality DJ Cosmo Baker hosting, a good time is nearly guaranteed.
If you’re like me and more than a subway trip away from Santos, enjoy these Dr. Dre productions. (Sadly, I couldn’t find an embeddable video for Michel’le’s “No More Lies.”)
Knoc-turn’al, “The Knoc”:
Mary J. Blige, “Family Affair”:
2pac & Dr. Dre, “California Love”:
J.J. Fad, “Supersonic”:
Dre Day 2009 [The Fader]
Sacrilegious debate du jour: Dre’s The Chronic is an important, pivotal album but not a great album. Discuss.
I think uptight music writers who scoff at free 40s run more of a risk of sucking the fun out of this event than free 40s.
@Weezy F Baby: Word. In this economy, a free 40 is nothing to laugh at.
@Weezy F Baby: I have no problem with 40s, just with people who choose their alcoholic beverages ironically.
@Dan Gibson: It’s not ironic if it’s free.
@K-Rex: I never knew that was a caveat, but I see your point. However, if you replaced 40s of OE with cans of Sparks, would your maxim still ring true?
@Chris Molanphy: If no one else is going to take the bait I’ll chime in. About 3/4 of the album is amazing, but tracks like “Lyrical Gangbang” and “High Powered” kinda plod along. The extreme sexism and homophobia don’t help.
At the same time, when he says “motherfucker I’m Dre” in “Let Me Ride” it’s hard to argue. It’s true in a literal sense, but also in the sense that you aren’t Dre and that there’s no way your beats will ever be that fresh.
No World Class Wreckin’ Cru videos?
FAIL!
40’s ain’t shit…
@Rob Murphy: Ha! That’s the only reason I clicked through.
Nothing from the D.O.C. either, damn.
@How do I say this … THROWDINI!: Oh, but just so I’m not a hater, the JJ Fad video was a good touch.