Released: 2015
Label: Dr. Dre LP3 PS
Featuring: Mez, Justus, Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius, Candice Pillay, BJ The Chicago Kid, Anderson .Paak, Xzibit, Cold 187um, Sly Pyper, Ice Cube, Dem Jointz, Jon Connor, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Asia Bryant, Jill Scott, Eminem
In the annals of hip-hop history, few names ring as loud as that of Dr. Dre. With his third and final studio album, ‘Compton’, Dre further cements his spot in the hip-hop pantheon. Released in 2015, ‘Compton’ is not only a lyrical feast but also a masterful exploration of the socio-political landscape surrounding the rapper’s hometown. Each track serves as a chapter in the intricate narrative Dre crafts, enlisting the talents of the industry’s foremost voices like Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Anderson .Paak to drive the story home. ‘Compton’ is a profound intersection of introspection, observation, and commentary, oozing with the raw authenticity and heated passion that’s become synonymous with Dre’s legacy. So let’s get into it. From ‘Intro’ to ‘Talking to My Diary’, here we are breaking down the album “Compton” by “Dr. Dre”.
1 Intro
2 Talk About It
Features: Mez, Justus
Dre’s relentless ambition and unapologetic confidence, threading the narrative of his ascent and continued dominance in the hip-hop game. With Mez and Justus contributing their fervor, the track is a boastful declaration of success against all odds, the relentless pursuit of dreams, and the realization of those dreams to a tangible reality. Dre’s lines, “Still got Eminem checks I ain’t opened yet / MVP shit, this is where the trophies at,” stand out as a testament to his legacy and influence, showcasing not only his financial success but also his monumental impact on the industry. The song, in essence, is a triumphant acknowledgment of achieving everything once dreamt of, and then some, embodying the spirit of victory in the face of adversity.
3 Genocide
Features: Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius, Candice Pillay
Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius, and Candice Pillay bring to life the chilling reality of a community plagued by systemic violence, underscored by the menacing hook: “Stone cold killers in these Compton streets / One hand on the 9, all eyes on me.” Yet, it’s the lyrical depth, notably Kendrick’s vivid storytelling and introspective critique, that propels the track beyond mere observation. The standout line, “Fucked the world up when we came up, that’s Compton homie,” serves as a poignant reminder of Compton’s influential yet tumultuous legacy within the broader narrative of hip-hop and American society.
4 It’s All On Me
Features: Justus, BJ The Chicago Kid
Dre, detailing the colossal weight of personal and professional pressures, from family woes and industry demands to the echo of his Compton roots. With BJ The Chicago Kid and Justus lending their voices, the track encapsulates the journey from humble beginnings to hip-hop royalty, underscored by the constant hustle and the heavy crown of expectations. A standout line that reverberates with the gravity of Dre’s narrative is, “Dope dealers overtipping and bitches stripping / And any minute niggas start tripping and start shooting shit.” This line paints a vivid picture of the chaotic environment that shaped Dre, highlighting the thin line between success and survival in the streets of Compton.
5 All In A Day’s Work
Features: Anderson .Paak, Marsha Ambrosius
Dre featuring Anderson .Paak and Marsha Ambrosius takes listeners through the relentless grind and mentality required to thrive amidst adversity and pressure. Dre’s narrative, interspersed with .Paak’s gritty vocal performance, delves into the psyche of someone who’s faced with the weight of expectations and the hustle to not just succeed, but excel. It’s a reflection on the hunger that drives success in the ruthless music industry, underscored by the line, “It’s all in a day’s work, my whole life, all I ever thought about is grindin’.” This track embodies the ethos of never settling, constantly pushing boundaries, and the unyielded pursuit of greatness despite the pitfalls that fame and the industry bring.
6 Darkside/Gone
Features: Mez, Marsha Ambrosius, Kendrick Lamar
Dre’s introspective thoughts, flanked by the lyrical prowess of Kendrick Lamar, Mez, and the soulful hooks of Marsha Ambrosius. This track is a testament to Dre’s legacy, juxtaposing his humble beginnings against his monumental success, all while addressing the looming presence of mortality and the dark allure of the streets. It’s a reflective piece on survival, influence, and the cost of success—highlighted by Dre’s declaration, “30 years in this bitch and I’m still here, decade after decade.” A line that not only asserts his longevity in the game but also nods to the grit it took to maintain it. The song poses a stark reminder of the realities that shape us and the legacies we leave behind, all wrapped in a menacing beat that underscores the gravity of the message.
7 Loose Cannons
Features: Xzibit, Cold 187um, Sly Pyper
Dre, Xzibit, and Cold 187um take us deep into the psyche of individuals who’ve walked the thinnest lines of morality and survival, painting vivid pictures of life in the trenches where the rules are different. Xzibit delivers a brutal truth: “I’m ready to die I can’t control this fuckin’ anger,” exposing the visceral, often uncontrollable emotions that drive the actions within these urban battlegrounds. This line encapsulates the explosive temperament that can define and, at times, destroy lives.
8 Issues
Features: Ice Cube, Anderson .Paak, Dem Jointz
Dre, Ice Cube, Anderson .Paak, and Dem Jointz. The track lays bare the reality of Los Angeles streets, intertwined with personal strife, ambitions, and the unyielding pursuit of respect and legacy in the rap game. Ice Cube’s verse, reminiscent of his N.W.A days, delivers a poignant critique of the music industry’s current state, boldly stating, “Man this industry to me, it feels a little plastic / I ain’t heard nothin’ that I can consider classic, ugh.” This line not only showcases Cube’s discontent with the superficiality in modern hip-hop but also echoes a wider sentiment for authenticity and the crafting of timeless music, setting “Issues” apart as a testament to resilience and realness in a polished industry.
9 Deep Water
Features: Kendrick Lamar, Justus, Anderson .Paak
Dre, alongside Kendrick Lamar, Justus, and Anderson .Paak, dives into the treacherous currents of Compton’s streets, contrasting their journey with an unforgiving ocean filled with sharks – metaphorically speaking, the dangers lurking in their pursuit of success within the music industry and life in the hood. The verses move fluidly from Dr. Dre’s reflection on his influential role and the expectations placed upon him, to Kendrick Lamar’s raw narrative of survival and struggle in a cutthroat environment. A standout line that encapsulates the song’s essence is from Kendrick Lamar, “I’m a C-O-M-P-T-O-innovator, energizer, inner city bullet flyin’ ’til that bitch on auto pilot.” This line not only pays homage to Compton’s legacy but also to the resilience and innovation that has propelled them forward, despite the deep waters they navigate.
10 One Shot One Kill
Features: Jon Connor, Snoop Dogg
Jon Connor’s aggressive flow combined with Snoop’s iconic, laid-back delivery creates a juxtaposition that’s as compelling as it is lethal. The line, “I came here to raise hell, I can’t lie / One shot, one kill, it’s real, I ain’t hidin’,” encapsulates the track’s essence – raw, unfiltered ambition and the readiness to stand tall in the face of adversity. This song isn’t just a display of lyrical prowess; it’s a manifesto of resilience and unyielding spirit.
11 Just Another Day
Features: The Game, Asia Bryant
Vividly detailing the daily struggles and violent realities, the lyrics paint a portrait of survival amidst chaos. A standout line: “Been shot, robbed, stabbed, chased home, socked out,” highlights the relentless adversities faced. This track, featuring Asia Bryant’s haunting vocals, serves as a powerful narrative of resilience, entwining The Game’s personal experiences with the broader struggles of his community.
12 For The Love Of Money
Features: Jill Scott, Jon Connor, Anderson .Paak
With verses that weave through the highs and lows of chasing paper, amidst a world that’s as beautiful as it is cruel, Dr. Dre, alongside Jill Scott, Jon Connor, and Anderson .Paak, creates a resonant track. A standout line, “Ain’t no fake shit around here, ’cause my nigga my city is really as real as the fuck,” encapsulates the unapologetic honesty and tough exterior bred by streets that don’t forgive or forget. It’s a profound commentary on the dual nature of money as both a necessity and a catalyst for division, wrapped in beats that hit as hard as the message.
13 Satisfiction
Features: Snoop Dogg, Marsha Ambrosius, Mez
Dre, featuring Snoop Dogg, Marsha Ambrosius, and Mez, takes a critical look at the veneer of success in the rap game, stripping down the glamorous life to reveal a hollowness within the pursuit of material wealth. Through hard-hitting verses, it exposes the facade of luxury and fame that many aspire to, highlighting the emptiness that often accompanies such a lifestyle. Snoop Dogg lays it bare with, “You leased your car, leased your house, leased your spouse, No she leaving if you run outta paper.” This line encapsulates the transient, shallow nature of such satisfactions, pointing out the irony of leasing life’s pleasures, only to lose them when the money runs dry.
14 Animals
Features: Anderson .Paak
Through a blend of aggressive beats and poignant lyrics, the track critiques the media’s portrayal of these communities only in times of conflict, illuminating the broader societal issues that breed desperation and unrest. A standout line, “Don’t treat me like an animal cause all this shit is flammable,” encapsulates the song’s plea for humanity and forewarns the consequences of continued oppression.
15 Medicine Man
Features: Eminem, Candice Pillay, Anderson .Paak
Dr. Dre, alongside Eminem, Candice Pillay, and Anderson .Paak, weave through themes of misunderstanding, the burdens of fame, and the artists’ frustration with the superficiality in the industry. Eminem delivers a hard-hitting line that encapsulates the ethos of the track, “I’d rather be hated on for who I am / Than to be loved for who I’m not, that’s word to Doc.” This declaration stands as a testament to authenticity in an era where artists often grapple with losing themselves in the pursuit of success.
16 Talking To My Diary
Dre reflects with raw honesty on his journey from the streets to the pinnacle of hip-hop royalty. This track is a confessional outpouring, where nostalgia meets gratitude and introspection. Dre recounts the trials, transformations, and triumphs of his career, acknowledging the shift from survival to success, and from dreams to reality. The essence of his narrative is captured poignantly when he says, “I used to be a starving artist so I would never starve an artist.” Here, Dre not only acknowledges his past struggles but also his commitment to support others in their journeys, demonstrating a cycle of empowerment rooted in his own experiences. The song stands as a testament to Dre’s legacy, offering a glimpse into the pressures and pleasures of his monumental career, all while paying homage to those who paved the way alongside him.
