The Chronic
194546
226078604
2008-07-16T19:00:23Z
75.9.12.253
{{Infobox Album <!--See Wikipedia:WikiProject Albums-->
|Name = The Chronic
|Type = studio
|Artist = [[Dr. Dre]]
|Cover = Dr.DreTheChronic.jpg
|Caption =
|Released = [[December 15]] [[1992]]
|Recorded = June 1992 at [[Death Row Records|Death Row Studios]]; mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering; mixed at Larrabee Sound Studios
|Genre = [[West Coast hip hop]], [[gangsta rap]], [[G-funk]]
|Length = 62:52
|Label = [[Death Row Records|Death Row]] (1992, 2007 edition)<br>[[Interscope]] (1992)<br>[[Priority Records|Priority]] (1992 distribution)<br>[[Koch Records|Koch]] (2007 edition)
|Producer = [[Dr. Dre]]
|Reviews = *[[Allmusic]] {{rating|5|5}} [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:my5a8qttbtb4~T1 link]
*''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' {{rating|4|5}} [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=949 link]
*{{Review-Christgau|C+|name=Dr.+Dre}}
*''[[Rolling Stone]]'' {{rating|4|5}} [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/drdre/albums/album/111976/review/18944957/the_chronic link]
*''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' (A+) [http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1631677/a/Chronic.htm link]
*''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' (7/10) [http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1076536/a/Dr+Dre+2001.htm link]
*''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' {{rating|5|5}} [http://flickr.com/photos/10808336@N07/973252159/sizes/l ]
|This album = '''''The Chronic'''''<br>(1992)
|Next album = ''[[2001 (album)|2001]]''<br>(1999)
{{Singles
|Name = The Chronic
|Type = studio
|single 1 = [[Nuthin' but a "G" Thang]]
|single 1 date = [[January 19]] [[1993]]
|single 2 = [[Fuck wit Dre Day]]
|single 2 date = [[May 20]] [[1993]]
|single 3 = [[Let Me Ride]]
|single 3 date = [[September 13]] [[1993]]
}}}}
'''''The Chronic''''' is the debut album from [[United States|American]] [[hip hop]] producer [[Dr. Dre]], released in 1992 through his own label, [[Death Row Records]]. The album was named after a slang term for high-grade [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]]. The album cover is a homage to [[Zig-Zag (company)|Zig-Zag]] rolling papers.<ref name=RapCentral/> The album was recorded by Dr. Dre after he left [[N.W.A]] over a financial dispute, and consequently featured subtle and direct insults at [[Ruthless Records]] and its owner, Dr. Dre's former N.W.A. group mate, [[Eazy-E]].
Dr. Dre Patel's production is noted for founding and popularizing the [[G-Funk]] sub-genre within [[gangsta rap]]. The album peaked at number three on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and has sold over three million copies,<ref name=AMG-NBAGT/> which led to him becoming one of the top ten best-selling American performing artists of 1993.<ref name=NYTimes-ThePopLife> Stephen Holden ([[January 12]] [[1994]]). [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9905E3D61231F931A25752C0A962958260&scp=22&sq=%22Dr.+Dre%22&st=nyt The Pop Life]. ''The New York Times''. Accessed [[March 24]] [[2008]].</ref> It is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential albums of the 1990s and believed by some to be the best produced hip-hop album of all time.<ref name=RapCentral>[http://www.rapcentral.co.uk/drdreLyricsCHRON.html Dr. Dre The Chronic Album Info]. RapCentral. Accessed [[March 5]] [[2008]].</ref><ref name=BBC25Years> [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3734910.stm Timeline: 25 years of rap records] BBC News ([[11 October]] [[2004]]). Accessed [[April 8]] [[2008]].</ref><ref name=AMG/>
==Overview==
Having split from [[N.W.A]], Dr. Dre's first solo album established him as one of the biggest hip hop stars of his era.<ref name=RapCentral/> ''The Chronic'' brought [[G-funk]] to the mainstream—a genre defined by slow bass beats and melodic synthesizers, topped by [[P-Funk]] samples, female vocals, and a [[Laconic phrase|laconic]], laid-back lyrical delivery referred to as a "lazy drawl". The album takes its name from a slang term for premium grade cannabis, Chronic. The album cover is a homage to [[Zig-Zag (company)|
Zig-Zag]] rolling papers.<ref name=RapCentral/>
The album launched the careers of [[West Coast hip hop]] artists, including [[Snoop Dogg|Snoop Doggy Dogg]], [[Dat Nigga Daz]], [[Kurupt]], [[Nate Dogg]], and [[Warren G]], Dr. Dre's half-brother—all of whom pursued successful commercial careers.<ref name=RapCentral/> ''The Chronic'' is widely regarded as the album that re-defined West Coast hip hop,<ref name=AMG>Steve Huey. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:g9fexqedldhe The Chronic > Overview]. Allmusic. Accessed [[March 4]] [[2008]].</ref> demonstrated [[gangsta rap]]'s commercial potential as a multi-[[Music recording sales certification|platinum]] commodity, and established G-funk as the most popular sound in hip hop music for several years after its release, with Dr. Dre producing major albums that drew heavily on his production style.<ref name=AMG-Bio>Stephen Thomas Erlewine. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wpfqxqt5ldhe~T1 Dr. Dre > Biography]. Allmusic. Accessed [[March 5]] [[2008]].</ref> The album's success established [[Death Row Records]] as a dominant force in 1990s hip hop.<ref name=AMG-Bio/> It has been re-released twice, first as a remastered CD, then as a remastered [[DualDisc]] with enhanced stereo and four videos.<ref name=AMG/>
==Music==
===Production===
The production on ''The Chronic'' was seen as innovative and ground-breaking, and received universal acclaim from critics. [[Allmusic]] commented on Dr. Dre's efforts, "Here, Dre established his patented G-funk sound: fat, blunted [[Parliament (band)|Parliament]]-[[Funkadelic]] beats, soulful backing vocals, and live instruments in the rolling basslines and whiny synths"<ref name=AMG/> and that "For the next four years, it was virtually impossible to hear mainstream hip-hop that wasn't effected in some way by Dre and his patented G-funk."<ref name=AMG-Bio/> Unlike other hip hop acts (such as [[The Bomb Squad]]) that sampled heavily, Dr. Dre only utilized one or few samples per song.<ref>Ethan Brown, (2005). ''Straight Outta Hollis, Queens Reigns Supreme: Fat Cat, 50 Cent, and the Rise of the Hip Hop Hustler''. Anchor. ISBN 1400095239. "[Unlike] popular hip-hop producers like the Bomb Squad, Dre instead utilized a single sample to drive a song."</ref> In ''[[Rolling Stone]]'''s ''The Immortals - The Greatest Artists of All Time'', where Dr. Dre was listed at number 54, [[Kanye West]] wrote on the album's production quality: "''The Chronic'' is still the hip-hop equivalent to [[Stevie Wonder]]'s ''[[Songs in the Key of Life]]''. It's the benchmark you measure your album against if you're serious."<ref name=TheImmortals> Kanye West ([[April 7]] [[2005]]). [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7235469/the_immortals__the_greatest_artists_of_all_time_54_dr_dre The Immortals - The Greatest Artists of All Time]. ''Rolling Stone''. Accessed [[March 9]] [[2008]].</ref>
Jon Pareles of the ''[[The New York Times]]'' described the production, writing "The bottom register is swampy synthesizer bass lines that openly emulate Parliament-Funkadelic; the upper end is often a lone keyboard line, whistling or blipping insouciantly. In between are wide-open spaces that hold just a rhythm guitar, sparse keyboard chords."<ref name=NYTimes-Dr.Dre> Jon Pareles ([[November 14]] [[1999]]). [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E6DF103AF937A25752C1A96F958260&scp=10&sq=The+Chronic+Dr.+Dre&st=nyt Music; Still Tough, Still Authentic. Still Relevant?]. ''The New York Times''. Accessed [[March 18]] [[2008]].</ref> Pareles observed that the songs "were smoother and simpler than East Coast rap, and [Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg] decisively expanded the hip-hop audience into the suburbs.<ref name=NYTimes> Jon Pareles ([[July 11]] [[2000]]). [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E2DE123BF934A25754C0A9669C8B63&scp=1&sq=The+Chronic+Dr.+Dre&st=nyt Rap Review; Four Hours Of Swagger From Dr. Dre And Friends]. ''The New York Times''. Accessed [[March 18]] [[2008]].</ref> Until this point, hip hop had been primarily party music (for example, [[Beastie Boys]])<ref name=AMG-BeastieBoys> Stephen Thomas Erlewine. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3ifqxq95ld6e~T1 Beastie Boys > Biography]. Allmusic. Accessed [[April 6]] [[2008]].</ref> or angry and politically charged (for example, [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]] or [[X-Clan]]), and had consisted almost entirely of samples and breakbeats.<ref name=AMG-PublicEnemy> Stephen Thomas Erlewine. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kifixq95ld6e~T1 Public Enemy > Biography]. Allmusic. Accessed [[April 6]] [[2008]].</ref><ref name=AMG-XClan> Andy Kellman. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kxfoxq9gld6e~T1 X Clan Biography]. Allmusic. Accessed [[April 6]] [[2008]].</ref> Dr. Dre ushered in a new musical style and lyrics for hip hop. The beats were slower and mellower, borrowing from late 1970s and early 1980s funk music. By mixing these early influences with original live instrumentation, he created a distinctive genre known as G-funk.<ref name=NYTimes-Dr.Dre/>
===Lyrics===
The album's lyrics caused some controversy, as the subject matter included homophobia and violent representations. It was noted that the album was a "frightening amalgam of inner-city street games that includes misogynist sexual politics and violent revenge scenarios".<ref name=RollingStoneOriginal/> [[Dr. Dre]]'s [[wikt:diss|diss]]ing of former band-mate, [[Eazy-E]], resulted in vicious lyrics, which were mainly aimed at offending his enemy with homosexual implications, although it was noted to have "a spirited cleverness in the phrasing and rhymes; in other words, the song is offensive, but it's ''creatively'' offensive".<ref name=AMG-FWDD/> [[Snoop Dogg]], who had a significant role on the album, was praised for his lyrics and flow, and it was mentioned that "Coupled with his inventive rhymes, Snoop's distinctive style made him a superstar before he'd even released a recording of his own"<ref name=AMG-NBAGT/> and that his involvement was as important to the album's success as its production.<ref name=AMG-SnoopDogg> Stephen Thomas Erlewine. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jxfwxql5ldse~T1 Snoop Dogg > Biography]. Allmusic. Accessed [[March 7]] [[2008]].</ref> [[Touré]] of the ''[[The New York Times]]'' remarks that "While Snoop delivers rhymes delicately, the content is anything but. Growing up poor, often surrounded by violence, and having served six months in the Wayside County jail outside of Los Angeles (for cocaine possession) gave Snoop Dogg experiences upon which he draws."<ref name=NYTimes-SnoopDogg> Touré ([[November 21]][[1993]]). [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEFDB133DF932A15752C1A965958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 Pop Music; Snoop Dogg's Gentle Hip-Hop Growl]. ''The New York Times''. Accessed [[March 18]] [[2008]].</ref> Snoop Dogg commented on the "reality" of his lyrics: {{quote|My raps are incidents where either I saw it happen to one of my close homies or I know about it from just being in the ghetto. I can't rap about something I don't know. You'll never hear me rapping about no bachelor's degree. It's only what I know and that's that street life. It's all everyday life, reality.<ref name=NYTimes-SnoopDogg/>}}
==Songs==
===Content===
Three singles were released from the album: "[[Nuthin' but a "G" Thang]]", "[[Fuck wit Dre Day]]" and "[[Let Me Ride]]", all of which featured [[Snoop Doggy Dogg]], who also featured on 12 of the 16 tracks on the album. Other guests included [[Kurupt]], [[Lady of Rage]], [[RBX]] and [[Dat Nigga Daz]]. "Nuthin' but a "G" Thang" and "Let Me Ride" were nominated at the [[Grammy Awards of 1994|1994 Grammy Awards]], with the latter winning [[Best Rap Solo Performance]] for Dr. Dre.<ref name=Grammy>[http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx Grammy Searchable database - Dr. Dre]. Grammy. Accessed [[March 4]] [[2008]].</ref> The singles "Fuck wit Dre Day" and "Nuthin' but a "G" Thang" are in best-selling video game ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]''<ref name=BBC>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4404088.stm GTA: San Andreas toasts success]. BBC News ([[November 4]] [[2005]]). Accessed [[March 28]] [[2008]].</ref><ref name=SOSD>Jonathan Sidener ([[September 25]] [[2007]]). [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070925-9999-1n25halo.html Microsoft pins Xbox 360 hopes on 'Halo 3' sales]. SignOnSanDiego. Accessed [[March 28]] [[2008]].</ref> on the fictional radio station [[Radio Los Santos]].<ref name=IGN>Spence D. ([[October 27]] [[2004]]). [http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/561/561107p1.html Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - Radio Los Santos]. IGN. Accessed [[March 28]] [[2008]].</ref>
==="Nuthin' but a "G" Thang"===
{{sample box start|'''The Chronic'''}}
{{multi-listen start}}
{{multi-listen item|
filename=Dr. Dre - Nuthin' But a "G" Thang.ogg|
title="Nuthin' but a "G" Thang" (sample)|
description=Dr. Dre's most successful single on the charts as it peaked at number two on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. The sample shows Dr. Dre's delivery and flow on the laid-back beat.|
format=[[Ogg]]}}
{{multi-listen item|
filename=Dr. Dre - Fuck Wit Dre Day.ogg|
title="Fuck wit Dre Day" (sample)|
description=Dr. Dre's "diss track" towards [[Eazy-E]], [[Luther Campbell|Luther "Luke" Campbell]] and [[Tim Dog]]. The sample conveys the aggressive production style, along with the vicious lyrics aimed at Eazy-E and the nature of the insults.|
format=[[Ogg]]}}
{{multi-listen item|
filename=Dr. Dre - Let Me Ride.ogg|
title="Let Me Ride" (sample)|
description=The song won Dr. Dre a [[Best Rap Solo Performance]] at the [[Grammy Awards of 1994|1994 Grammy Awards]]. The sample expresses the violent representations within Dr. Dre's lyrics and the relaxed, easy-going beat which accompanies the threatening ideas.|
format=[[Ogg]]}}
{{multi-listen end}}
{{sample box end}}
"Nuthin' but a "G" Thang" was released as the first single on [[January 19]] [[1993]]. It peaked at number two on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and number one on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks]] and [[Hot Rap Singles]].<ref name=AMG-Singles>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gbfuxq95ldae~T31 The Chronic - Billboard Singles]. Allmusic. Accessed [[March 6]] [[2008]].</ref> It sold over a million copies and the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) certified it [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] on [[March 24]] [[1993]].<ref name=RIAA-Singles>[http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Dr.%20Dre&format=single&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2007&sort=Artist&perPage=25 RIAA Searchable database - Dr. Dre Singles]. RIAA. Accessed [[March 7]] [[2008]].</ref> The song was nominated for [[Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group]] at the [[Grammy Awards of 1994|1994 Grammy Awards]],<ref name=RockOnTheNet>[http://www.rockonthenet.com/artists-d/drdre.htm Dr. Dre Timeline]. Rock on the Net. Accessed [[March 22]] [[2008]].</ref> but lost to [[Digable Planets]]' "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)". Steve Huey of [[Allmusic]] named it "''the'' archetypal G-funk single" and added "The sound, style, and performances of "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" were like nothing else on the early-'90s hip-hop scene."<ref name=AMG-NBAGT/> He praised [[Snoop Dogg]]'s performance, stating "[Snoop Dogg's] flow was laconic and relaxed, massively confident and capable of rapid-fire tongue-twisters, but coolly laid-back and almost effortless at the same time".<ref name=AMG-NBAGT> Steve Huey. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:gcfrxxe0ldae "Nuthin' But a "G" Thang" Review]. Allmusic. Accessed [[March 6]] [[2008]].</ref>. Today it is one of the most critically and commercially lauded hip-hop/rap songs of all time. It is rated the 131st best song of all time by Acclaimedmusic.net, and the sixth best hip-hop/rap song <ref>www.acclaimedmusic.net</ref>, and voted in a VH1 poll as the 13th best song of the 1990s. <ref>http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/127759/episode_featured_copy.jhtml</ref>
==="Fuck wit Dre Day"===
"Fuck wit Dre Day (and Everybody's Celebratin')" was released as the second single on [[May 20]] [[1993]] and like the previous single, it was a hit on multiple charts. It reached number eight on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and number six on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks]].<ref name=AMG-Singles/> It sold over 500,000 units and the RIAA certified it [[RIAA certification|Gold]] on [[October 8]] [[1993]].<ref name=RIAA-Singles/> Allmusic writer Steve Huey stated that the song was "a classic hip-hop single", citing Dr. Dre's production as "impeccable as ever, uniting his signature whiny synth melodies with a halting, descending bass line, a booming snare, and soulful female vocals in the background"<ref name=AMG-FWDD/> and alluded to Snoop Dogg, stating "Attitude was something Snoop had by the boatload, his drawling, laid-back delivery projecting unassailable control — it sounded lazy even though it wasn't, and that helped establish Snoop's don't-give-a-damn persona."<ref name=AMG-FWDD> Steve Huey. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:3cfrxxe0ldae "Fuck Wit Dre Day" Review]. Allmusic. Accessed [[March 6]] [[2008]].</ref>
==="Let Me Ride"===
"Let Me Ride" was released as a [[cassette single]] on [[September 13]] [[1993]].<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/dr_dre/albums.jhtml?albumId=611908 Dr. Dre | Let Me Ride (Dirty Cassette Single) | Album]. MTV. Accessed [[April 7]] [[2008]].</ref> It experienced moderate success on the charts, reaching number 34 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and number three on the [[Hot Rap Singles]].<ref name=AMG-Singles/> The song won Dr. Dre [[Best Rap Solo Performance]] at the [[Grammy Awards of 1994|1994 Grammy Awards]].<ref name=Grammy>[http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx Grammy Searchable database - Dr. Dre]. Grammy. Accessed [[March 4]] [[2008]].</ref> On this song and "Nuthin but a "G" Thang", ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine noted that Dr. Dre's verses were delivered with a "hypnotically intimidating ease" and made the songs feel like "dusk on a wide-open L.A. boulevard, full of possibility and menace".<ref name=TIME/>
==Reception==
===Critical recognition===
[[Image:Zig-Zag Papers & The Chronic.jpg|thumb|250px|Comparison of [[Zig-Zag (company)|Zig-Zag]] rolling papers with the album cover]]
The album was generally very well received by critics. On ''[[Rolling Stone]]'''s ''[[500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]'', it was noted that "Dre funked up the rhymes with a smooth bass-heavy production style and the laid-back delivery of then-unknown rapper [[Snoop Dogg|Snoop Doggy Dogg]]."<ref name=RollingStoneTop500/> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's Josh Tyrangiel states that Dr. Dre created "a sound that defined early 90's urban [[L.A.]] in the same way that [[Motown]] defined 60's [[Detroit]]".<ref name=TIME/> [[Allmusic]]'s Steve Huey compared Dr. Dre to his inspiration, [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]], stating "Dre's just as effortlessly funky, and he has a better feel for a hook, a knack that improbably landed gangsta rap on the pop charts"<ref name=AMG/> and his ''Rolling Stone'' review, Havelock Nelson wrote "''The Chronic'' drops raw realism and pays tribute to hip-hop virtuosity."<ref name=RollingStoneOriginal> Havelock Nelson ([[March 18]] [[1993]]). [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/drdre/albums/album/111976/review/18944957/the_chronic The Chronic Review]. ''Rolling Stone''. Accessed [[March 5]] [[2008]].</ref> [[Rhapsody]] writer, Brolin Winning, named the album as "an untouchable masterpiece of [[West Coast hip hop|California Gangsta Rap]]" and that it had "track after track of G-Funk gems".<ref name=Rhapsody> Brolin Winning. [http://www.rhapsody.com/drdre About Dr. Dre]. Rhapsody. Accessed [[March 9]] [[2008]].</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' writer, Jon Pareles, mentioned that ''The Chronic'' and [[Snoop Dogg]]'s ''[[Doggystyle]]'', "made the gangsta life sound like a party occasionally interrupted by gunplay".<ref name=NYTimes/>
===Accolades===
''The Chronic'' was included in ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' magazine's "100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century" and it was ranked at number six in their "Top 10 Rap Albums of All Time". ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it at number thirty-seven in their "Essential Recordings of the '90s" and was included in their ''[[500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]''.<ref name=RollingStoneTop500/> The record ranked at number eight in ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine's "90 Greatest Albums of the '90s" and in 2005, it was ranked at number thirty-five in their "100 Greatest Albums, 1985–2005". ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' magazine originally gave the album four and a half mics out of five and it was added to their "100 Best Rap Albums". In 2005, [[MTV Networks]] listed ''The Chronic'' as the third greatest hip hop album in history.<ref name=MTV>[http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index9.jhtml The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time]. MTV Networks. Accessed [[March 4]] [[2008]].</ref> In 2006, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine ranked it as one of the 100 greatest albums of all time<ref name=TIME> Josh Tyrangiel ([[November 13]] [[2006]]). [http://www.time.com/time/2006/100albums/0,27693,The_Chronic,00.html The All-Time 100 Albums]. ''Time''. Accessed [[March 4]] [[2008]].</ref> and it was listed in the book ''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]''.<ref name=1001A>[http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/1001albums.htm 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]. Rocklistmusic. Accessed [[March 5]] [[2008]].</ref>
==Sales and certifications==
The album has sold over four and half million copies in the United States and over eight million worldwide,<ref name=AMG-NBAGT/><ref name=RollingStoneTop500>[http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6598730/137_the_chronic 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]. ''Rolling Stone'' ([[November 1]] [[2003]]). Accessed [[March 4]] [[2008]].</ref> and was certified three times [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] by [[RIAA]] on [[November 3]] [[1993]].<ref name= RIAA-TheChronic>[http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=The%20Chronic&artist=Dr.%20Dre&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2007&sort=Artist&perPage=25 RIAA Searchable database - ''The Chronic'']. RIAA. Accessed [[March 4]] [[2008]].</ref> It is Dr. Dre's second best selling album, as his follow-up album, ''[[2001 (album)|2001]]'', was certified six times Platinum.<ref name=RIAA-2001> [http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=2001&artist=Dr.%20Dre&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2007&sort=Artist&perPage=25 RIAA Searchable database - ''2001'']. RIAA. Accessed [[March 4]] [[2008]].</ref> The album first appeared on music charts in 1993, peaking on the ''[[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]'' at number three, and peaking on [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] at number one.<ref name=AMG-Sales>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wpfqxqt5ldhe~T5 Dr. Dre - Discography, Charts and Awards]. Allmusic. Accessed [[March 4]] [[2008]].</ref> It re-entered the charts in 2003, peaking on the Ireland Albums Top 75 at number 48, and on the U.K. Albums Top 75 in 2004 at number 43.<ref name=acharts> [http://acharts.us/album/16663 Dr. Dre - The Chronic Chart Positions]. aCharts. Accessed [[March 4]] [[2008]].</ref>
==Track listing==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!align="center"|#
!align="center"|Title
!align="center" width="20"|Length
!align="center" width="350"|Performer(s)
!align="center" width="300"|Samples
|-
|1
|"The Chronic (Intro)"
|1:57
|Dr. Dre, [[Snoop Dogg]]
|
*"Impeach the President" by [[The Honeydrippers]].
*"Get Out of My Life, Woman" by [[Solomon Burke]].
*"Funky Worm" by [[Ohio Players]].
*"Country Cooking" by Jim Dandy
|-
|2
|"[[Fuck wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin')]]"
|4:52
|Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, [[Jewell (singer)|Jewell]], [[RBX]]
|
*"[[Atomic Dog]]" by [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]].
*"[[(Not Just) Knee Deep]]" by [[Funkadelic]].
*"Funkentelechy", "The Big Bang Theory" & "Aquaboogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)" by [[Parliament (band)|Parliament]].
|-
|3
|"[[Let Me Ride]]"
|4:21
|Dr. Dre, Jewell, Ruben, Snoop Dogg
|
*"[[Mothership Connection (Star Child)]]" and "Swing Down, Sweet Chariot (Live)" by [[Parliament (band)|Parliament]].
*"Kissin' My Love" by [[Bill Withers]].
*"[[Funky Drummer]]" by [[James Brown]].
|-
|4
|"The Day the Niggaz Took Over"
|4:33
|Dr. Dre, [[Daz Dillinger]], RBX, Snoop Dogg
|
*Samples live news reports and other soundbites of the [[1992 Los Angeles riots]].
*"Love's Gonna Get'Cha (Material Love)" by [[Boogie Down Productions]].
|-
|5
|"[[Nuthin' but a "G" Thang]]"
|3:58
|Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg
|
*"I Wanna Do Something Freaky to You" by [[Leon Haywood]].
*"Uphill (Peace of mind)" by [[Frederick Knight]].
|-
|6
|"Deeez Nuuuts"
|5:06
|Dr. Dre, Daz Dillinger, Snoop Dogg, [[Nate Dogg]], [[Warren G]]
|
|-
|7
|"Lil' Ghetto Boy"
|5:29
|Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger
|
*"Little Ghetto Boy" by [[Donny Hathaway]].
*"The Get out of the Ghetto Blues" by Gil Scott-Heron
|-
|8
|"A Nigga Witta Gun"
|3:52
|Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg
|
*"Big Sur Suite" by Johnny Hammond.
*"Who's the Man (With the Master Plan)" by the [[Kay Gees]].
|-
|9
|"Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat"
|3:48
|Dr. Dre, RBX, Snoop Dogg
|
*"Vegetable Wagon" by [[Donny Hathaway]].
*"Brothers Gonna Work It Out" by [[Willie Hutch]].
*"Pot Belly" by [[Lou Donaldson]].
|-
|10
|"The $20 Sack Pyramid" (skit)
|2:53
|Big Tittie Nickie, [[The D.O.C.]], Samara, Snoop Dogg
|
*"Papa Was Too" (live) by [[Joe Tex]].
|-
|11
|"Lyrical Gangbang"
|4:04
|[[Kurupt]], [[The Lady of Rage]], RBX
|
*"Damn" by The Nite-Liters.
*"[[When the Levee Breaks]]" by [[Led Zeppelin]]
|-
|12
|"High Powered"
|2:44
|Daz Dillinger, The Lady of Rage, RBX
|
*"Big Sur Suite" by Johnny Hammond.
|-
|13
|"The Doctor's Office" (skit)
|1:04
|Jewell, The Lady of Rage
|
|-
|14
|"Stranded on Death Row"
|4:47
|[[Bushwick Bill]], Kurupt, The Lady of Rage, RBX, Snoop Dogg
|
*"Do Your Thing (Live)" by [[Isaac Hayes]].
*"If it Don't Turn You On (You Outta Leave It Alone)" by [[B.T. Express]].
|-
|15
|"The Roach (Outro)"
|4:36
|Dat Nigga Daz, Emmage, Jewell, Lady of Rage, RBX
|
*"[[P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)]]" by Parliament
|-
|16
|"[[Bitches Ain't Shit]]"
|4:48
|Dr. Dre, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Snoop Dogg, Jewell, The Lady of Rage
|
*"Adolescent Funk" by [[Funkadelic]].
|}
==Personnel==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*[[Dr. Dre]] – [[singing|vocals]], [[Musical keyboard|keyboard]]s, [[record producer|producer]], drum programming, mixing
*[[Lady of Rage]] – vocals
*[[Bushwick Bill]] (credited as "Dr. Wolfgang Von Bushwickin the Barbarian Mother Funky Stay High Dollar Billstir") – vocals
*[[Snoop Dogg|Snoop Doggy Dogg]] – performer
*[[Warren G]] – vocals
*[[The D.O.C.]] – co-writer
*[[RBX]] – vocals
*[[Nate Dogg]] – vocals
*[[Daz Dillinger|Dat Nigga Daz]] – performer, drum programming
*[[Kurupt]] – vocals
*Katisse Buckingham – [[flute]], [[saxophone]]
*Emmage – vocals
*Bernie Grundman – [[Audio mastering|mastering]]
*Greg Royal – mixing
{{col-2}}
*Colin Wolfe – [[bass guitar|bass]], keyboards, keyboard bass
*Daniel Jordan – photography
*Cheron Moore – [[drum kit|drums]]
*Eric Borders – [[guitar]]
*Chris Clairmont – guitar
*Justin Reinhardt – keyboards
*[[Chris "The Glove" Taylor]] – mixing, mixing assistant
*[[Suge Knight]] – executive producer
*Guru Sandhu – assistant executive producer
*Willie Will – mixing, mixing assistant
*Kimberly Holt – artwork, art direction, design
*Kimberly Brown – project coordinator
*BJ "Tha Mocking Bird" – performer
*Matthew McDaniels – provided L.A Riot scenes
*John McClain – [[A&R]] Director
*Noor – vocals
{{col-end}}
==Charts==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Charts<ref name=AMG-Sales/><ref name=acharts/>
!Peak<br/>position
|-
|Ireland Albums Top 75
|align="center"|#48
|-
|U.K. Albums Top 75
|align="center"|#43
|-
|U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]
|align="center"|#3
|-
|U.S. [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]]
|align="center"|#1
|}
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Dr. Dre}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chronic, The}}
[[Category:1992 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Dr. Dre]]
[[Category:Death Row Records albums]]
[[Category:Debut albums]]
[[Category:Dr. Dre albums]]
[[Category:G Funk]]
[[Category:Hip hop albums]]
[[Category:Interscope Records albums]]
[[Category:Cannabis music]]
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[[cs:The Chronic]]
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[[es:The Chronic]]
[[fr:The Chronic]]
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[[he:The Chronic]]
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[[no:The Chronic]]
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