Although yesterday was technically his birthday, today is Dre Day in Milwaukee. Make sure you celebrate appropriately, as many people will be doing at The Hotel Foster tonight. The event will feature a Miltown Beatdown-esque Dr. Dre Battle, the $20 Sack Pyramid game show, Hip Hop Karaoke and more. In celebration of all things Dre, I decided to rank the top 10 Dr. Dre beats here. It should be noted that, due to Dre’s extensive production credits, we’re going with only the singles that he’s produced. To be fair, there’s 29 years of content to go through, and I don’t have that kind of time. Anyway, to the countdown we go:
- Eve Featuring Gwen Stefani – “Let Me Blow Ya Mind”
A lot of people don’t associate this song with Dr. Dre, but he actually produced it, and listening to it again, you can hear that signature Dre sound. True story, Dre also produced Gwen Stefani’s 2004 single, “Rich Girl”, which uses an interpolation from Fiddler on the Roof, too. However, this is one of those beats where you know the song by the time that guitar finishes the intro.
- N.W.A. – “Express Yourself”
This is a timeless song, plain and simple. With the rework of Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, this song peaked at #2 on the rap charts at the time. It’s just a straight up classic.
- Snoop Dogg – “Who Am I? (What’s My Name?)”
Excuse the acting in this video, but this song helped make 1993’s “Doggystyle” the album that broke Snoop Doggy Dogg into the mainstream. Dre and Snoop got the idea to make this song while driving and listening to George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog”, which the song pulls its chorus from.
- The Game Featuring 50 Cent – “How We Do”
Just as Dr. Dre had introduced Eminem, and then Eminem had essentially introduced 50 Cent, this was 50’s chance to introduce protege The Game in 2004. The song was a huge hit, and the beat is one that you’ll never get sick of hearing.
- Eminem featuring 50 Cent and Dr. Dre – “Crack A Bottle”
Although not the most commercially successful song, this is a personal favorite of mine. With the signature Dre bounce to it, and a catchy piano riff, it’s an underrated track from Eminem’s “Relapse”
- Eminem featuring Dr. Dre – “Forgot About Dre”
As great as this song is, it only barely cracks the top five Dre beats. As a kid, I will not forget seeing this top the TRL countdown at arguably the height of the pandemonium around Eminem.
- 2Pac Featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman – “California Love”
I mean, you didn’t think this would be off the top five, did you? This is another timeless track. Everyone knows it, and it’s one of 2Pac’s biggest hits.
- 50 Cent – “In Da Club”
Although I can remember the buzz around 50’s “Wanksta”, this is the record (and video) that broke 50 to the world. It’s a beat that will probably live on forever, and everyone’s rapped along with this at some point. Admit it. Side note: is Xzibiit still in the cut? Is that where he’s been all this time post “Pimp My Ride”?
- Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg – “Nuthin But A G Thang”
The first single from “The Chronic”, this is forever the jam. This is the essence of west coast hip hop, and a track that you could ride around to forever. Also, this is one of the first times that Snoop Doggy Dogg caught America’s ear.
- Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre – “The Next Episode”
This song made “Dr. Dre 2001”, plain and simple. As soon as this song comes on, you know what it is. It’s inescapable. I’m fairly convinced no person ever has turned this song off in the history of ever. While “Nuthin But A G Thang” is a close second, this is the top Dre beat of all time. Hands down. Heeeyyyyy…
