The Chronic's lush, sophisticated production smoothed out the rattly aesthetic of hip-hop's first "golden age" with radio-friendly audio opulence. But it was the lyrics – the nihilistic lifestyles of the gangbangers and weed dealers – that had the most lasting impact. The discovery that small-time crime narratives could spur huge sales meant that the hustler on the make became rap's predominant persona – whether the rappers who followed Dre, Snoop and the D.O.C. were "keepin' it real" or not.
Dre's The Chronic and the ascent of the west coast
Angus Batey
December 1992: Number 31 in our series of the 50 key events in the history of R&B and hip-hop music
Contributor
Angus Batey
Angus Batey is a freelance journalist who has written extensively on music
(particularly, though not exclusively, hip-hop), defence and aerospace.
His music journalism has been published in most British national newspapers and in
specialist music magazines such as Mojo, NME, Q and the late and lamented
Hip Hop Connection. His defence writing has appeared in newspapers and in
specialist titles including Aviation Week, Combat Aircraft, Digital
Battlespace and Unmanned Vehicles. He has also written about cinema, TV,
literature, football and cricket. He can be contacted via his website,
www.angusbatey.com, or through @angusbatey on Twitter.
Angus Batey
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