Dr. Dre is riding high on the success of Missionary, his new album with Snoop Dogg, but when it comes to hip-hop, the iconic producer hasn’t found much inspiration in recent releases.
In a candid interview with Complex published on Monday (December 16), Dre reflected on the last time a rap album truly moved him. Fans have been awaiting his anticipated album, Detox, for decades.
“If we’re talking about new stuff, I’d have to say good kid, m.A.A.d city and To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar,” Dre revealed, praising the 2012 and 2015 projects that solidified Lamar as a generational talent. Both albums, hailed as masterpieces, were executive produced by Dre himself.
Missionary, released Friday (December 13), marks a triumphant return for Dre and Snoop, reviving their creative chemistry first showcased on 1993’s Doggystyle. One of the album’s standout moments comes with “Gunz N Smoke,” a powerhouse collaboration uniting Dre, Snoop, Eminem, and 50 Cent for the first time on a single track. The song pays homage to the late Notorious B.I.G., weaving his influence into its DNA.
Over Dre’s signature groove-heavy production, the track kicks off with 50 Cent’s razor-sharp verse, laced with menacing warnings and a nod to Biggie’s classic “Who Shot Ya.” Snoop Dogg follows with dynamic flows, channeling Biggie’s cadence while slyly repurposing lines from “Notorious Thugs.” The echoes of “Gunsmoke!” from Biggie’s “Dead Wrong” punctuate the track, blending nostalgia with fresh energy.
Eminem closes the song with a meticulously crafted verse, combining reflections on his turbulent upbringing with a nuanced perspective on growth and maturity. His technical prowess shines as he balances raw emotion with intricate wordplay, offering a fitting finale to this all-star collaboration.
Missionary, a 16-track album, serves as a spiritual successor to Doggystyle and features a star-studded lineup that extends beyond hip-hop. Method Man, Jelly Roll, Jhené Aiko, and BJ The Chicago Kid lend their talents, alongside unexpected appearances from rock legends Sting and Tom Petty. The project cements Dre and Snoop’s enduring legacy, bridging decades of innovation while honoring the roots of the genre.
Leave a Reply