the d.o.c. ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Dr. Dre & The D.O.C. Are Reuniting To Finish Snoop’s New Album

Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have the formula—especially when The D.O.C. is involved. After his 1989 debut solo album No One Can Do It Better, the Dallas, Texas native was highly involved in the direction and songwriting of Dr. Dre's The Chronic and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle. He offered lyrics to... Read more

August 30, 2023 News

The D.O.C.’s Documentary Shows His Next 10 Years

In 2022, The D.O.C. screened an autobiographical documentary at The Tribeca Film Festival. The self-titled doc features appearances by Dr. Dre, Eminem, Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Too Short, Tha Dogg Pound, Xzibit, Tone-Loc, and late Death Row songstress Jewell, as well as The D.O.C. and Erykah's daughter, Puma. The artist,... Read more

May 16, 2023 Exclusive, Interview, TV/Film, Video

The D.O.C. Explains Why Biggie Is His #1 MC

In September of 1994, photographs were taken of The D.O.C., The Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack, and Saafir together. The historic moment combining MCs from Texas, New York, California happened backstage at Chicago, Illinois' Riviera Theatre. That month, Bad Boy Records was amid its "Big Mack" campaign, when Craig Mack released... Read more

May 15, 2023 Exclusive, Interview, Video

The D.O.C. Is Performing Again For The First Time In 33 Years

Earlier this year, one of Hip-Hop's legendary songwriters, The D.O.C., gave fans his most comprehensive display of bars in 20 years. The MC closely associated with Dr. Dre, N.W.A., Snoop Dogg, and others, appeared on video single "Fast Ones" by The Codefendants. The track, later belonging to the This Is... Read more

May 13, 2023 Exclusive, Interview, Video

The D.O.C.’s 1st Verse In 19 Years Gets A Video

The D.O.C. remains one of Hip-Hop's great what-if stories. The Dallas, Texas native released just one solo album, 1989's No One Can Do It Better. With Dr. Dre and DJ Yella's production, the MC made a case for that title with elite lyricism, an incredible flow, and plenty of "high energy" and... Read more

March 11, 2023 Video

Snoop Dogg Confirms Details Of Upcoming Album With Dr. Dre

During the summer, one of Death Row Records' financiers, Michael "Harry-O" Harris revealed that Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre are making an album together. The revelation came on Kevin Garnett's KG Certified talk show. The man who supplied funds for a label intended to be Godfather Entertainment, spoke about reconnecting... Read more

October 2, 2022 News

Snoop Explains Why He Lets Other MCs Write His Rhymes

This year, Snoop Dogg has released lots of new music while also acquiring the label that birthed his career, Death Row Records. Among his songs on BODR (Bacc On Death Row), which released in conjunction with the announcement, Snoop solicited writing from other artists. Although not in the official credits,... Read more

August 25, 2022 Video

Death Row Records Investor Says Dr. Dre & Snoop Are Making An Album

In the early 1990s, Michael "Harry-O" Harris was as an alleged financier of Dr. Dre and Suge Knight's Death Row Records. An early iteration of the label was named Godfather Entertainment, in the incarcerated Harry-O's honor. Michael's then-wife, Lydia Harris, was to have a hand in the musical direction of... Read more

August 1, 2022 Fresh, Video

Many Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Rappers Name Their Top 5 MCs

Note: Jadakiss recently appeared on ESPN’s Jalen & Jacoby podcast and was asked who his top 5 Hip-Hop groups of all-time were. This article has been updated below with his response, as well as The Game’s top 5 LA Rap albums. A few days ago, during a podcast appearance, Ice... Read more

July 12, 2022 Video

The D.O.C. Explains The Real Elements Of The Rap Formula

On his 1989 solo debut, No One Can Do It Better, The D.O.C. had a highlight single with "The Formula." The Dr. Dre-produced Ruthless/Atlantic Records track begins with the lyrics, "High energy flowin' with the wisdom / Sense of a rich man, knowledge and the rhythm / This is what... Read more

June 30, 2022 Video

Eminem’s Mind Is Blown As He Raps The D.O.C.’s Lyrics

This week, Hip-Hop veteran The D.O.C. has been in New York City promoting his eponymous documentary film, a debut feature from director David Caplan. The 94-minute doc' is currently screening at the Tribeca Film Festival. The piece covers The D.O.C.'s rise to Rap stardom, his tragic 1989 car accident, his... Read more

June 13, 2022 Video

The D.O.C. Recalls The Night Of His Car Accident With New Details (Video)

For many Hip-Hop Heads, The D.O.C. is widely regarded as one of the most skilled lyricists and songwriters. A native of Dallas, Texas, the artist born Tracy Curry linked with Dr. Dre in the late 1980s to make history. After assisting with the writing on N.W.A.'s Grammy Hall Of Fame-inducted Straight... Read more

January 7, 2020 Video

Snoop Explains Why He Loves Suge Knight & How They Rebuilt Their Bond (Video)

Earlier this month, Snoop Dogg released his song, "Let Bygones Be Bygones" from his 17th solo album, I Wanna Thank Me. The 47-year-old Doggfather has been in a nostalgic spirit lately. More than 20 years after parting ways with the label, Snoop has been wearing his Death Row Records medallion,... Read more

August 19, 2019 Food for Thought, Video

Snoop Dogg Celebrates Suge Knight On A Song About Forgiveness & Respect

Snoop Dogg has just released what is perhaps the most anticipated song from his upcoming I Wanna Thank Me album. Last week, the Long Beach, California veteran released a "Countdown" video with Swizz Beatz modeled after his breakthrough smash hit, 1992's "Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang." With Swizzy's rendition of G-Funk,... Read more

August 7, 2019 Audio

MC Breed & Tupac’s Message Is Still Relevant. It’s Time To Get Yours

Tupac Shakur was born in New York City. He spent his teens in Marin City, California, following a brief but meaningful stop in Baltimore, Maryland. Pac's life is one of extremes and contradictions. At a time when Shakur was portrayed to be condemning the East Coast Rap community, he was... Read more

February 28, 2019 Do Remember, Video

Snoop Dogg Reveals The Original Beat For Nuthin But A G Thang & Raps To It

UPDATE: DJ Filthy Rich made a blend of the song, based on the Questlove Supreme conversation: ORIGINAL DECEMBER 19 STORY: The second song Snoop Dogg ever released to the public may be his most iconic. "One-two-three-and to the fo' / Snoop Doggy Dogg, and Dr. Dre is at the... Read more

December 19, 2018 Audio

The D.O.C. Sings Beautifully In A Video That Shows Anything Is Possible.

For decades, Hip-Hop Heads have known that The D.O.C. has a golden pen. The Dallas, Texas native MC is credited with writing songs and lyrics for Dr. Dre and other artists on Death Row and Ruthless Records. However, in the 1980s, the artist born Tracy Curry was a rapper with... Read more

August 28, 2018 Fresh, Video

OutKast Has Forgotten Songs On Soundtracks That Are Better Than Most MCs’ Catalogs (Audio)

"Imagine being able to control your own destiny. Shape your own future. And then, one mistake take all that away. The reality of it is, you do control your own destiny and future, and one mistake will take all that away. Think about it." - Big Rube, "Benz or Beamer." In... Read more

February 22, 2018 Do Remember

Scarface Rates The D.O.C.’s Rhymes Higher Than His Own (Video)

In the "Rate The Bars" series, guests on the video program are challenged when they are provided excerpts of verses from peers who often happen to be homies, band-mates, or nemeses. It is a test of objectivity set against the craft of MC'ing. This has led to some memorable appearances,... Read more

February 5, 2018 Video

The 1st Look At Death Row Series Shows Suge Strong-Arming Eazy-E To Get Dre (Video)

The Death Row Chronicles is an upcoming six-part series on one of music's most successful and most controversial record labels. Airing on BET February 20 (beginning with part one and two), a two-minute video trailer released, featuring commentary from some of the people closest to Death Row Records' former CEO... Read more

January 16, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

An Argument For Why Ghostwriting Is Good Starting With Exhibit D-R-E (Video)

The biggest MCs in Hip-Hop are talking about ghostwriting more than ever right now. Sixteen years after Puff Daddy proudly proclaimed, "Don't ask me if I write rhymes, I write checks," authorship in Rap verses is not something that anybody takes lightly. Since Meek Mill outed Drake's involvement of emerging... Read more

October 28, 2017 Exclusive, TBD, Video

The D.O.C. Speaks About Idolizing Rakim & Making Plans To Work On New Music Together (Video)

On August 1, 1989, The D.O.C. released his debut album, No One Can Do It Better. The Ruthless/Atco/Atlantic Records album was the solo debut from the Dallas, Texas MC, formerly of the Fila Fresh Crew. Produced by N.W.A.'s Dr. Dre, it was not only an important mainstream representation of Southern... Read more

October 23, 2017 Video

The D.O.C. Talks Accepting His Newfound Voice & Helping Others Find Theirs (Video)

The D.O.C. is one of the many Hip-Hop artists who appear in The Defiant Ones docu-series. From his days with the Fila Fresh Crew, the Dallas, Texas native MC is one of the few to have worked with Dr. Dre at Ruthless, at Death Row, and Aftermath. In the four-part... Read more

July 13, 2017 Video

Jimmy Iovine Reveals He Was Behind Suge Knight Bailing Tupac Out Of Jail

In October of 1995, Tupac Shakur signed with Death Row Records. Reportedly inking his deal on a napkin, Pac joined Dr. Dre and Suge Knight's reigning and equally notorious record label. In that transaction, Shakur was able to post bail and leave Clinton Correctional Facility. In a matter of days,... Read more

July 11, 2017 News, Throwback, TV, TV/Film

MC Ren Reveals That Dr. Dre Ghost-Wrote An Eazy-E Hit (Video)

Throughout his 30-plus-year career, Dr. Dre is one of the Rap superstars who has openly used other songwriters. Throughout the years, Eminem, Jay Z, Ice Cube, The D.O.C., Snoop Dogg, and others have written verses for Andre Young, which contributed to a legendary catalog with at least three storied labels.... Read more

May 15, 2017 Video

Cold 187um Claims He Created G-Funk & Got Snoop Signed To Death Row (Video)

Last week, Above The Law's Cold 187um released his single "Legacy" featuring Ice Cube and The D.O.C. Premiering at Ambrosia For Heads, the track marked a full-circle reunion with the Pomona, California production and rapping icon with two of his former Ruthless Records label mates. Having just released his The... Read more

October 11, 2016 Video

Police Violence Causes The D.O.C., Bishop Lamont & B-Real To Speak Up. Forcefully (Audio)

The murders of unarmed Black and Brown civilians (many of whom are minors) by law enforcement persists in the United States of America. This week is as disturbing of a reminder as any, following the murders of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. Now, matters have escalated with lethal retaliations, as... Read more

July 8, 2016 Audio

The D.O.C.’s No Can Do It Better vs. Ice Cube’s Death Certificate. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

February 24, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Ever Hear Dr. Dre’s Lost Song “My Life” From ’95? It’s One Of His Best (Audio)

Twenty years ago, Dr. Dre was gathering his things as he prepared to exit Death Row Records. As the legend has it, the label co-founder would relinquish his master recordings, and his stake in the multi-platinum dynasty. At the time, the label was overseen by Marion "Suge" Knight—Dre's manager and... Read more

February 21, 2016 Throwback

The Ultimate N.W.A./Ruthless Records Posse Cut Belongs To The D.O.C. (Audio)

In the last year, N.W.A. and Ruthless Records have been in strong focus thanks to the film Straight Outta Compton. In the movie, the label launched by Eric "Eazy-E" Wright is seen from its beginnings around N.W.A., to the 1990s, where the Los Angeles, California-based imprint would develop some key... Read more

January 28, 2016 Do Remember

The D.O.C. Calls Erykah Badu His Closest Friend & Talks Co-Parenting (Video)

Dallas, Texas rapper the D.O.C. is best known for his extensive working relationship with N.W.A., with whom he co-wrote much material before ushering in a celebrated solo career. The platinum-selling MC who almost lost his ability to speak in a near-fatal car accident has re-emerged triumphantly, after an announcement in the... Read more

January 25, 2016 Video

The D.O.C. Reveals Which Songs He Wrote For Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” Album (Video)

The D.O.C. is among Hip-Hop's most revered songwriters. The Dallas, Texas native worked extensively with N.W.A. and his Fila Fresh Crew before his heralded 1989 debut, No One Can Do It Better. Following the Dr. Dre-produced album, The D.O.C. would partner with then-manager Marion "Suge" Knight in helping launch the... Read more

January 11, 2016 Video

Ice Cube’s Death Certificate vs. N.W.A.’s efil4zaggiN. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

November 5, 2015 Finding the GOAT

The D.O.C. Breaks Down His “Formula.” He Says Yawning Helped Him Speak Again (Video)

In late August, it was revealed that The D.O.C. had regained use of his vocal chords. Displaying the regenerated ability in a Sirius XM interview then, the Dallas, Texas native has enjoyed a busy few months since. The former Ruthless Records star and Dr. Dre protege was portrayed in blockbuster... Read more

November 2, 2015 News, Video

Here Are Your Top 10 Rap Albums of the 80s. Get Ready For The 90s…

Today (October 25) closes Round 2 of the 1980s bracket of Finding The GOAT Albums. In the closing hour, there were no ties, and not even a race within even 5% of two candidates. You—the voter—definitively decided which 10 albums go forth to the final 32 albums across all eras.... Read more

October 25, 2015 Finding the GOAT

The D.O.C.’s No One Can Do It Better vs. Ice-T’s Rhyme Pays. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

October 15, 2015 Finding the GOAT

The D.O.C.’s No One Can Do It Better vs. King T’s Act A Fool. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

October 7, 2015 Finding the GOAT

25 Years After a Presumed Career-Ending Accident, The D.O.C.’s Voice Is Returning (Audio)

One of Hip-Hop's most tragic "what if's" surrounds Dallas, Texas MC The D.O.C. A onetime Ruthless Records artist, the rapper born Tracy Curry came into the music industry as a protege of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, and N.W.A. His 1989 album No One Can Do It Better is widely revered as... Read more

August 22, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT: The D.O.C. vs. Redman…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

October 6, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

RIP Marvin Gaye: Here’s a Playlist Celebrating the Hip-Hop Legacy He Left (Video)

Rest in peace to Marvin Gaye who died 30 years ago today. He left the world with countless soul classics, but he also had an incredible impact on Hip-Hop. To celebrate that legacy, here's a video playlist of songs that sampled his music. You'll hear Ice Cube, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, The... Read more

April 1, 2014 Playlists, Video

Suge Knight Talks About D.O.C., DJ Yella, Kendrick Lamar & Game, But What’s He Saying? (Video)

So many interviews with Marion "Suge" Knight are predictable. The Compton, California native will usually find a way to spill controversy into any statement he makes, likely focusing on defaming targets ranging from former partners like Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, to longtime foe Diddy. Enter Arsenio Hall, a longtime... Read more

February 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ruthless Records re-defined the boundaries of rap music, making them the 7th most important hip-hop record label of all time. Click here to read more about Ruthless and to hear a playlist of some of its key artists: NWA, Eazy-E, The D.O.C., Bone Thugs N Harmony and more.

#7 Ruthless Records Ruthless Records, founded by Eric "Eazy-E" Wright and Jerry Heller, in 1987 re-defined rap music in several ways. The label was the first to put the West Coast on the map as a force to be respected in hip-hop. Before Ruthless, there were outliers like Ice-T, but... Read more

December 9, 2011 Audio, Food for Thought, Playlists, Throwback, Video