I Hope Detox Is Not Recovery 2.0
Those who love this thing we call hip-hop have been waiting on Detox for years. We’ve followed ever clue Dr. Dre has dropped on us over the years, wildly speculating on when we may see the long-anticipated to Chronic 2001. Now that we’ve pretty much been guaranteed that Detox will drop this year, the question becomes: what will it sound like?
As an artist who has changed and evolved his sound over the years, it’s not entirely predictable what the 2011 Andre Young will sound like. Right now, we can only speculate. The easiest route is to look official releases put out thus far. The Snoop-assisted “Kush” seems like a natural progression of the traditional Dr. Dre sound, (although it was not produced by Dre): piano hooks, booming bass drums and a gang of live instruments. Classic.
But then drops “I Need A Doctor”, which again, was not produced by Dr. Dre (Alex Da Kid gets the credit), but obviously provides some indication on where Detox may be headed musically. And I have to say: I hope Detox is more “Kush” than “I Need A Doctor”.
“Doctor” could easily found a place on Eminem’s Recovery album that was released last year: the pop-rock hook, the guitars, Marshall Matthers in full self-reflection mode. I know I’m in the minority here, but I never really go into Recovery. I respect Eminem, but I can’t say Recovery was (or is) a joint that enjoys heavy rotation. In fact, I don’t think I’ve listened to it start to finish since I actually bought it (yeah, bought it).
Frankly, Em can keep that sound. That works for him, so he should stay in that lane. But as a long-time Dre fan (as in “NWA and the Posse” days), I’m pretty specific on what I’m expecting when I load up a Dr. Dre track. Admittedly, given how long we’ve all had to wait for any new music, I pretty much demand he doesn’t stray too far off that familiar path.
Ultimately, Detox will be what it is. I can’t hate on an artist as brilliant as Dr. Dre taking his music in a completely new direction. But that doesn’t mean that I have to like it.
As YFWB readers will know – I’m a hip-hop traditionalist. I’m hoping Dre is too.
Tags: Detox, Dr Dre, Eminem, I Need A Doctor
