By Odeisel
While The Chronic was not initially met with universal acclaim by reviewers, its staying power as a genre changing album is well established. 18 years and amazingly only two albums later, Dr. Dre is still enamored by weed. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg are still there with a little Akon sprinkled on top for the latest Detox cock tease, “Kush.”
The clichés begin with the lame refrain, “Hold up, wait a minute, let me put some kush up in it.” It’s not catchy it’s just boring and lazy from the caliber of artists on this song. That it’s delivered Roger Troutman style makes it even lamer. The deep end keys contrasted with the high key stabs are typical Dre and the distorted synth on the wings is also retread. The drums do bang, but they are a basic pattern,just well mastered. You expect more after a decade off. Nate Dogg reprises his “Hold up” cadence from 2001’s “Next Episode,” while Akon’s faux island accent on top of his already prevalent accent does his part to fill out the empty spaces. Dre’s ad libs fall short of Pete, Ye’ or Diddy.
The best part of Dr. Dre’s verse is trying to figure out who wrote it for him. The verse is littered with weed euphemisms like “puff puff pass” “Cheech & Chong” “Mary J” et cetera. Listening to an almost 50 year old man talking about partying all night and getting high is ridiculous and further illustrates the stunted growth of Dr. Dre’s music and concepts.
Surprisingly, Snoop Dogg is the clear highlight of the song. He’s been laying down some really crappy verses on pop guest appearances lately, but he’s in rare form here (or whoever wrote the verse). He’s strong with his delivery and comes out the gate with it, rapping, “Still I am, tighter than the pants on Will.I.Am,” and flows tight for the balance of the verse. His weed has no seeds and it ain’t hydro, chump. And he got a pound of it. We’ve heard it all before from Snoop, but his delivery is so crisp we can keep hearing it.
This song bumps but it would have bumped better in the early part of the decade. In 2010 it is retread and not genre bending or even top tier of contemporary music. For someone of Dre’s myth and legend and considering the wait for this, it’s certified lackluster. Will it hit? Depends on how lazy and desperate the marketplace is. I’m sure the next track will feature Eminem. “Kush.”
Dr. Dre Feat Snoop, Nate Dogg & Akon-“Kush”
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I actually dug it, it’s more of the same old dre.. but its ok I can can get my progressive hip hop from the other cats, theres plenty of them, I don’t expect these old dogs to try and reinvent themselves and completely alienate everyone in the process. when I read Dre’ I just want the bangin beats n a good delivery. Dre has never been a deep artist its never been why I enjoy his music, I get where your coming from but your review made it sound like i should expect Birdman caliber music, it really is not that bad, like u said “We’ve heard it all before from Snoop, but his delivery is so crisp we can keep hearing it.” same applies to Dre, cheers.
the difference my friend is that Snoop comes out every year. Dre has taken a decade off and the beats are still the same. I do understand the point you ewre trying to make however. Live Well