Many rappers during the mid to late 80s into the early 90s were celebrated for their lyrics. The term “lyricism”, however, was used to describe the more complex verses by east coast MCs.
That changed when The D.O.C., a former member of Fila Fresh Crew, emerged from the shadows of iconic west coast super group, N.W.A.
Backed almost entirely by Dr. Dre’s sample-heavy, funk-laden, attitudinal production, Doc championed terminology and wordplay for the left coast, confidently proclaiming No One Can Do It Better – his platinum-selling solo debut.
“It’s the diggy-diggy Doc, y’all!” he announces on “The D.O.C. & the Doctor”, stamping his arrival with rhymes like this: “When I hear a bass drum I gotta get dumb/ but some think it’s a fable and label me not able /to come correct, so I cold jet back to my room/and invent something to compliment the boom/of a kick ‘cause I want it all like Monopoly/the great make not a mistake, make sure it’s properly…done”.
The D.O.C flips incredibly throughout, especially on “Mind Blowin” and the title track.
It must also be noted that popular singles “Funky Enough” and “The Formula” launched Dre’s reputation for turning fresh skillful rhymers into chart-toppers. |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
