It has been well documented that Dr. Dre is a perfectionist in the studio. One can only imagine the ridiculous amounts of music he has stashed in the vaults.  Music that fans would go crazy for.  Songs if they were ever released would stand the test of time and be considered classics.  Here and there you will have songs leak that were originally meant for his mythical album Detox.  Each and every time it makes a big splash in social media.  Wanted to revisit a couple tracks that Snoop and Dre were involved in early on that were original demo versions or songs originally unreleased.

The first song was the original demo version of “Rat Tat Tat Tat” with both Snoop and Dre recorded around 1991. The beat is completely different than the version that would ultimately land on The Chronic.  The demo beat would find a home several years later on Warren G’s 1994 debut album Regulate …G Funk Era on the track “And Ya Don’t Stop”.

Dr. Dre – Rat Tat Tat Tat feat. Snoop Dogg (demo version)

Dr. Dre- Rat Tat Tat Tat feat. Snoop Dogg (album version)

 

Warren G – And Ya Don’t Stop

Two tracks that Dr. Dre and Snoop did in 1992 that were initially meant for the Chronic album but would be reworked years later for Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000 were “O.G to B.G” and “Hoe Hopper”.  Both tracks would have fitted well with the original Chronic album.  Another track that was recorded around the same time was “Smoke On”. It was Snoop by himself with the vocals with Dr. Dre handling the production.  It finally saw the light of day when the Chronic was reissued in 2012.

Dr. Dre – O.G to B.G. feat. Snoop Dogg

Dr. Dre – Hoe Hopper feat. Snoop Dogg

 

Snoop Dogg – Smoke On (prod. by Dr. Dre)

 

The next gem to mention is the track “Fallin’ Asleep On Death Row” which was recorded in 1993 and meant to be on Snoop’s debut album Doggystyle. Dr. Dre would continue to record for what would have been his second album for Death Row Records.  Before that album would materialize he left the label.  However he did leave behind tracks such as “My Life” which was recorded in 1995.

Snoop Dogg – Fallin’ Asleep On Death Row (prod. by Dr. Dre)

Dr. Dre – My Life

The last two tracks to discuss are “Zoom” and “No Bacctraccin’”. “Zoom” was a track initially intended to serve as a promo single for a Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg collaboration album Break Up To Make Up that never came to fruition. At that point Dr. Dre had departed from Death Row Records.  It did get some spins from California radio but was never officially released in 1997.  Ultimately Dr. Dre re-recorded the track with LL Cool J for Bulworth: The Soundtrack which came out the following year.  The other track “No Bacctraccin’” was intended for Snoop Dogg’s album Tha Last Meal which came out in 2000.  It featured funk legend George Clinton who had worked together with Snoop prior.

Dr. Dre – Zoom feat. Snoop Dogg

Dr.Dre – Zoom feat LL Cool J

Snoop Dogg – No Bacctraccin feat. George Clinton (mixed by Dr. Dre)

 

As a fan I am grateful that these tracks which were intended to stay in the vault were able to see the light of day. The tracks made their way onto compilations years later or onto cyberspace.  All tracks discussed in this article were worthy being put on the projects they were intended to.  It may have been due to record company politics, sample clearance issues, or the fact that at times Dr. Dre is a perfectionist almost to a fault as to why the tracks were not initially released.  Nonetheless it is a reflection of how rich that era was with timeless classics being made.

Nas and Dr Dre: During the 90s Bicoastal Conflict and Beyond

 

5610cookie-checkDr. Dre and Snoop Dogg: Rare and Unreleased Gems
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