Still D.R.E is the most prominent song by Dr. Dre. It was launched on 2 November 1999 as part of the ‘2001’ album. It features Snoop Dogg and has cameos by Eminem, Pharrell Williams, The D.O.C and Shaquille O’Neal.
Background
Dr. Dre was a well known rapper and producer in the music industry at that time. His debut studio album ‘The Chronic’ was released in 1992 and put him at the forefront of the rap scene.
Before that, Dr. Dre was involved with a music group called ‘World Class Wreckin’ Cru’ which released a song called ‘Turn Off the Lights’ in 1986 which Dre references in ‘Still D.R.E’. Dre later found success as a part of N.W.A which was another group that was about gangsta rap.
Hailing from California, Dre was a key player in bringing not only California but also the entire west of the United States in the hip hop picture.
He was affiliated with the Crips earlier in his life, although as of now he is an artist ambassador for Peace N Harmony which is about stopping gang crime.
Some sources question his gangster roots claiming that he only associated himself as a thug for clout. However, his connection with the Crips and notable Crip members is evident. Snoop Dogg for instance was a Crip member.
After Dre released ‘The Chronic’ album which also featured Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre took a step back from the rap business. He started working with Snoop Dogg to produce his debut album ‘Doggy Style’ which was released in 1993 and was a major success.
Dre left ‘Death Row Records’ to establish his own label called ‘Aftermath Entertainment’ in 1996. He signed Eminem in 1998, who went on to become another sensational phenomenon.
Dre was working on producing Eminem’s debut album ‘The Slim Shady LP’ released in 1999. Dre launched his second studio album ‘2001’ in 1999 around 7 years after he launched ‘The Chronic’.
Still D.R.E Song Meaning
The song is about Dre announcing to the world that he is indeed back for real. He hasn’t changed and he still has his buddy ‘Snoop Dogg’ alongside him even though he has had a falling out with other people as he mentions loosing friends in his lyrics.
Dre was excited about his return and wanted to tell the world what all had been going on since he took a step back from the rap scene.
Dre is talking about how he had always remained prominent in the hip hop business ever since he was part of ‘World Class Wrecking Cru’ in 1985.
He mentions how he signed Eminem who was only getting bigger with time during that era. Dre is answering back at his critics and also telling his fans that he has still got ‘it’ in him.
Things haven’t changed much in his life as he is doing pretty much the same things he was doing earlier puffing leaves, making beats and driving around in low rider cars. He claims that he has still got love for the streets and embraces his gangster roots saying that he is the icon for gangsters all across the world.
The song is about his lifestyle and him telling everyone that he is still the same even though you might not have heard directly from him over the last few years.
He has all the credibility in the world as he has been producing fire records ever since he stepped into the music business.
He faced challenges and rose up to face them. He evolved as time went by and was able to thrive with his street knowledge and also launched Aftermath Entertainment.
Song Facts
Scott Storch produced this track with Dre and Mel-Man. This was a major break for him and it later landed him opportunities of producing tracks for Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé and 50 Cent. Even now people want to know who wrote still d.r.e.
Jay Z wrote the song under his actual name ‘Shawn Carter’ and gave it to Dre. He talked about it with LeBron and others present in ‘The Shop: Interrupted’.
You gotta have like somewhat of a reverence for them, the music they were making. The Chronic and all of that. In order for me to really nail the essence of Dre and Snoop, it had to be like a studied reverence of what they were doing.”
Jay Z on ‘The Shop: Interrupted’
Dre performed this song at the end of the Super Bowl LVI halftime show along with Snoop Dogg. It currently has over a billion views on youtube.
Let me know your opinion regarding the song in the comments.
