Music Review: Compton

Album: ComptonComposer: Dr. DreMusic: UniversalPrice: Rs 376Ratings: 3.5Rap: Dr Dre has been likened to rap as to what the Beatles are to rock. Not only is his music seminal, but he also was one of the early pioneers of the genre. Eschewing the bling and shine of modern-day hip hop, Dre is a storyteller and an urban poet. This is his first full-length outing after a gap of 16 years and it is a colossus of an album; serious stuff that makes no pretence at artifice and gimmickry. It is basically a soundtrack that is inspired by the N.W.A (the group that made Dre famous) biopic Straight Outta Compton. The intro song of the album sets the tone and tenor to what is to follow; gritty urban talk that wouldn’t be out of place in say, in a Grand Theft Auto game. Yes, there are a large number of who’s who names in the rap world, who feature on this album. Accordingly, you have a namecheck list of artistes from Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Xzibit, The Game, Ice Cube and Cold 187um to Jon Connor, BJ The Chicago Kid, Anderson Paak, King Mez and Asia Bryant.Listen to Compton songs on Gaana.comNot all the songs are necessarily about street talk though. Take for example, the closing number 'Talking to my diary', which is reflective in theme. 'It’s all on me' is a standout track with an infections groove, while Animals is suitably biographical from Dre’s standpoint. While The Chronic remains Dre’s own Sgt Pepper, there’s no denying that this album is a contemporary classic in storytelling set to a hip hop beat.WATCH: Dr. Dre - Deep Water (Ft. Kendrick Lamar & Justus) Compton 2015