The 50 Greatest Hip-hop Albums Ever - #50...

[Twentytwofifty]

Dr. Dre - 2001 (1999)


    One of the most anticipated albums ever, a full seven years after he blessed us with his certified classic The Chronic he released this bomb on us.  As expected the production is top notch but Dr. Dre actually comes through better than expected on the mic.  On one of the few solo tracks on this LP, "The Watcher" he provides one of the best performances as he sounds better than ever.  In fact pretty much all the MCs on this album come off nice.  Devin The Dude provides a stellar verse and chorus on "Fuck You", Eminem does the same on "Forgot About Dre", Xzibit rips his two verses on "Whut's The Difference" and "Some L.A. Niggaz" but it's Hittman who gets most of the spotlight on this album:

I know yo' type, so much bitch in you, if it was slightly darker
lights was little dimmer my dick be stuck up in yo' windpipe!
Hmm, you'd rather blow me than fight, I'm from the old school
like Romey Rome homey yo, you owe me the right
to slap you, like the bitch that you are, that wanted to cap you
every since you was mad doggin me with that bitch in yo' car
Fool {singing} "Who do you think you are?  Mr. Big Stuff"
Man, you shit on Hit, get yo' shit bust; plus
pistol-whipped, cover it up - use yo' bitch's blush
Mr. Powder Puff yo', bark ain't loud enough, huh
I know chihuahuas that's mo' rah-rah, HA HA
I have to laugh Dre, I bet he take bubble baths
You don't want no trouble with the Aftermath staff, trust me
Doggy Dogg, Diggy Doctor plus me
No youse a busta slash hussy, soft as a Hush Puppy
Must we break you down to estrogen most hated specimen's
a bitch nigga!

    Every song on this album is great with bangin' beats, catchy hooks and good MCin' are provided from front to back.  Each of the songs has a different feel; some are old-school and make your adrenaline pump, others are more laid-back and a few are a combination.  It's not the most groundbreaking album contentwise but dope nevertheless.  The only knock on this album is that it's a little too long and the skits drag it down a bit.  But now looking back I guess he had to fill up that CD with 22 tracks since this album has to keep us satisfied for seven years until his next one.

[mauzip]

E. 1999 Eternal > 2001

[Machiavelli]

E. 1999 Eternal > 2001

I agree E.1999 Eternal is in my top 10 of all time...


but btw, where the rest of the lis?

[Twentytwofifty]

E. 1999 Eternal > 2001

The 50 Greatest Hip-hop Albums Ever

but btw, where the rest of the lis?

It's coming slowly but surely.

[Jip]

chronic 2001 is #50, is that the top of the list, or the bottom?

[Lord Funk]

Yeah, I'd pretty much agree with that review. Falls off a bit towards the end but for the first two-thirds or so it's an absolutely amazing album.

[Elevz]

Falls off a bit towards the end 

No.

Ummm... If this is #50, then what the hell are the 49 better hiphop albums?

[notorious^q8I]

i cant think of 49 albums with better production and mc'ing than dre 2001
shit i cant even think of 10

['EclipZe]

i cant think of 49 albums with better production and mc'ing than dre 2001
shit i cant even think of 10

[-Euthanasia-]

expand your scope past the bay

[Lord Funk]

Falls off a bit towards the end 

No.

Yep. 'Ackrite', 'Murder Ink' and 'Housewife', not to mention all those bullshit skits crammed into the second half, are nowhere near the quality of 'The Watcher' through to 'Bitch Niggaz', either in terms of beats, production, lyrics or MC'ing.   

[TheDeli]

i cant think of 49 albums with better production and mc'ing than dre 2001
shit i cant even think of 10

Very true, its in my all time top 10

[Kill]

i cant think of 49 albums with better production and mc'ing than dre 2001
shit i cant even think of 10

production, aight, 10 albums with better MC´ing is not such a challenge to come up with

[Elevz]

Falls off a bit towards the end 

No.

Yep. 'Ackrite', 'Murder Ink' and 'Housewife', not to mention all those bullshit skits crammed into the second half, are nowhere near the quality of 'The Watcher' through to 'Bitch Niggaz', either in terms of beats, production, lyrics or MC'ing.   

Some LA niggaz... Lovely track
Housewife... Man, I love the performance of Hitt and Kurupt together on this one, along with a great beat
Ackrite, might be one of the best Hittman tracks I've ever heard?
Bang Bang... I used to love this one, it got somewhat played out after all these years tho.
The message - sensitive but great, it's just that I think Mary J kinda spoiled the fun once again (near the end of the track).

Man... The album is straight fire, all the way through... Ain't no falling off near the end!

[Lord Funk]

^^^ We'll have to agree to disagree on this one Honestly, I rarely bump this CD the whole way through anymore. I know I'm in the minority cuz everyone else holds it as a 5/5 classic. It just doesn't do it for me beyond 'Bitch Niggas'.