Named after a slang term for top-of-the-line cannabis and sporting a tribute to Zig-Zag rolling papers on its cover, The Chronic caused a seismic shift in the music industry. Listen to The Chronic on Apple Music and Spotify. If there were any doubts in regard to Dre’s ability to craft music on his own, they were settled once and for all when he dropped his magnum opus, The Chronic, upon the masses. Following in the footsteps of Ice Cube, Dre headed for the exit and launched his own record label, Death Row Records, which gave him creative control and unlimited financial possibilities.
After crafting the sound of gangsta rap on NWA’s acclaimed albums Straight Outta Compton and Efil4zaggin, Dre had to prove he could stand on his own outside of Eazy-E’s shadow.
Dre broke ranks with NWA and Ruthless records, he was surrounded by a cloud of uncertainty.
