Song after song, there's a never-ending litany of violence, drugs, pussy, bitches, dope, guns, and gangsters. Scratch that, it's über-gangsta, blown up so large that it feels like a parody. That's the major problem with 2001: lyrically and thematically, it's nothing but gangsta clichés. The only difference is, there's pleasure in hearing Snoop's style, while the rest sound staid. Out of all the other rappers on 2001, only Snoop and Eminem - Dre's two great protégés - have character and while Eminem's jokiness still is unpredictable, Snoop sounds nearly as tired as the second-rate rappers. If only the same could be said about the rappers! Why does a producer as original as Dre work with such pedestrian rappers? Perhaps it's to ensure his control over the project, or to mask his own shortcomings as an MC, but the album suffers considerably as a result. Padded out to 22 tracks, 2001 isn't as consistent or striking as Slim Shady, but the music is always brimming with character. He's pushed himself hard, finding new variations in the formula by adding ominous strings, soulful vocals, and reggae, resulting in fairly interesting recontextualizations. It suggested that 2001 wouldn't simply be recycled Chronic, and, musically speaking, that's more or less true. Dre was anything but passé, thereby raising expectations for 2001, the long-anticipated sequel to The Chronic. The Slim Shady LP announced not only Eminem's arrival, but it established that his producer Dr.

Dr dre the chronic album cover 2001