Death Row Greatest Hits | ||||
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Greatest hits album by | ||||
Released | November 26, 1996 | |||
Recorded | 1992–1996 | |||
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Length | 2:28:01 | |||
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Producer |
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Death Row Records chronology | ||||
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Singles from Death Row Greatest Hits | ||||
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Death Row Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album and second double album released by Death Row Records. Released on November 26, 1996, the thirty-three song compilation contains hits by former and then-current Death Row artists as well as previously unreleased tracks and remixes. [2] The album peaked at number 35 on the Billboard 200 [3] and was certified platinum on August 12, 1999. [4]
To counter cannibalising sales of other 1996 Death Row releases, no songs from 2Pac's All Eyez on Me and The 7 Day Theory and Snoop Dogg's Tha Doggfather were included on the compilation. [5] From the seven tracks on the compilation that feature 2Pac, only two were recorded during his time spent at Death Row Records; "Hit 'Em Up" and "Smile For Me Now", which are both non-album tracks. [6] Four of the other five tracks were songs previously released under Interscope Records before his signing to Death Row. The other track, "Pour Out a Little Liquor", was recorded before 2Pac's time at Death Row, however, it was originally released on the 1994 Death Row soundtrack, Above the Rim . [7] [8] The four songs not affiliated with Death Row were able to be included on the album because Interscope, at that time, was the parent company and distributor of Death Row Records. In 2003, tracks from the other 1996 Death Row albums were featured on the compilation's follow-up, Death Row Greatest Hits, Volume 2. [9]
Disc two of the compilation is mostly made up of remixes and new tracks, notable inclusions being:
Following suit with 2Pac's The 7 Day Theory, [19] Death Row continues to show animosity towards former signee and co-founder, Dr. Dre, by including a diss track directed towards the rapper/producer on each disc of the release. The diss tracks included were:
It is heavily rumoured that Suge Knight is responsible for casting the inklings of animosity towards Dr. Dre on the album, as he, CEO of Death Row Records and known instigator, served as executive producer on the album.
The album's cover and insert artwork was designed by California based artist, Ronald "Riskie" Brent, a recurrent Death Row collaborator. Brent was also commissioned to create covers and inserts for albums such as All Eyez on Me , The 7 Day Theory , Tha Doggfather , Christmas on Death Row , and Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back . [27]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Nuthin' but a G Thang" | Dr. Dre | 3:41 | |
2. | "Gin & Juice" |
| Dr. Dre | 3:31 |
3. | "Afro Puffs" |
| 4:45 | |
4. | "Natural Born Killaz" |
|
| 4:46 |
5. | "Who Am I (What's My Name?)" |
| Dr. Dre | 4:07 |
6. | "Keep Their Heads Ringin'" |
|
| 3:58 |
7. | "No Vaseline" |
| Sir Jinx | 4:04 |
8. | "Doggy Dogg World" |
| Dr. Dre | 4:40 |
9. | "Keep Ya Head Up" |
| DJ Daryl | 4:22 |
10. | "Murder Was the Case" |
| Dr. Dre | 4:19 |
11. | "Lil' Ghetto Boy" |
| Dr. Dre | 4:20 |
12. | "Ain't No Fun" |
| Dr. Dre | 4:09 |
13. | "Lodi Dodi" | Dr. Dre | 4:24 | |
14. | "Stranded on Death Row" |
| Dr. Dre | 4:40 |
15. | "The Shiznit" |
| Dr. Dre | 4:15 |
16. | "Dear Mama" |
|
| 4:55 |
17. | "Me Against the World" | Soulshock and Karlin | 4:39 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
18. | "Let Me Ride (Rmx)" | Dat Nigga Daz | 6:01 | |
19. | "Gin & Juice (Rmx)" |
| Dat Nigga Daz | 5:02 |
20. | "Daydreaming" | Aretha Franklin |
| 4:53 |
21. | "Who Am I (What's My Name?) (Rmx)" |
| Dat Nigga Daz | 4:09 |
22. | "Nuthin' But a G Thang (Rmx)" |
|
| 4:33 |
23. | "I Get Around (Rmx)" | Kevyn "Cavi" Lewis | 4:00 | |
24. | "Lil' Ghetto Boy (Rmx)" |
|
| 4:52 |
25. | "Hit 'Em Up" |
| 5:10 | |
26. | "Who Been There, Who Done That?" |
|
| 4:29 |
27. | "Fuck wit Dre Day (Rmx)" |
| Kevyn "Cavi" Lewis | 4:36 |
28. | "Pour Out a Little Liquor" |
| Johnny "J" | 3:28 |
29. | "What Would You Do" |
| Dat Nigga Daz | 5:08 |
30. | "Come Up to My Room" |
| 4:36 | |
31. | "Come When I Call" |
| DJ Quik | 4:55 |
32. | "Me in Your World" |
| Dat Nigga Daz | 3:47 |
33. | "Smile for Me Now" |
| 4:47 | |
Total length: | 2:28:01 |
Vocalists
Instrumentalists
Producers
Technical
Additional
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA) [33] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
G-funk, short for gangsta funk, is a sub-genre of gangsta rap that emerged from the West Coast scene in the early 1990s. The genre was heavily influenced by the synthesizer-heavy 1970s funk sound of Parliament-Funkadelic, often incorporated through samples or re-recordings. It was represented by commercially successful albums such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992) and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (1993).
Doggystyle is the debut studio album by American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. It was released on November 23, 1993, by Death Row and Interscope Records. The album was recorded and produced following Snoop Doggy Dogg's appearances on Dr. Dre's debut solo album The Chronic (1992), to which Snoop contributed significantly. The West Coast style in hip-hop that he developed from Dre's first album continued on Doggystyle. Critics have praised Snoop Dogg for the lyrical "realism" that he delivers on the album and for his distinctive vocal flow.
Murder Was the Case is a 1994 short film and soundtrack album starring and performed by Snoop Doggy Dogg. The 18 minute film was directed by Dr. Dre and Fab Five Freddy and chronicles the fictional death of Snoop Dogg and his resurrection after making a deal with the Devil. The film's title comes from Snoop's song of the same name from his debut album, Doggystyle, which had been released a year earlier.
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory is the fifth studio album by American rapper Tupac Shakur, his first posthumous album and the last released with his creative input. Recorded in July and August 1996, it was released on November 5, 1996, almost two months after his death, under the stage name of Makaveli, through Death Row Records, Makaveli Records and Interscope Records.
"California Love" is a song by American rapper 2Pac featuring fellow American rapper-producer Dr. Dre and American singer Roger Troutman of the funk group Zapp. The song was released as 2Pac's comeback single after his release from prison in 1995 and was his first single as the newest artist of Death Row Records. The original version is featured on the UK version of his fourth album, All Eyez on Me (1996), and is one of 2Pac's most widely known and most successful singles. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and also topped the charts of Italy, New Zealand, and Sweden. The song was posthumously nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1997.
Nu-Mixx Klazzics is a remix album by American rapper 2Pac, released in 2003 under Death Row Records and Koch Records. The album includes several songs from All Eyez on Me and The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, with remixed instrumentals and new guest vocals from artists such as Crooked I, Aaron Hall, K-Ci & JoJo, and Danny Boy. Nu-Mixx Klazzics was generally disliked by critics upon its release. The remixes were criticized for being another Death Row 'cash in' featuring low quality versions of the original tracks.
Tha Doggfather is the second studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 12, 1996, by Death Row and Interscope Records. After the success of his debut album Doggystyle (1993), Snoop was arrested and charged with murder and in 1995, spent time preparing for the case that went to trial. On February 20, 1996, he was cleared of all charges and began working on his second album without Dr. Dre providing work as a record producer. This was Snoop's final album on Death Row until 2022, when he acquired the rights to the Death Row trademarks from MNRK Music Group, releasing BODR the same year. This would also be his last album under the moniker Snoop Doggy Dogg before it was shorted to Snoop Dogg. Recording sessions took place from February 1996 to October 1996, with Suge Knight as the executive producer on the album, alongside the additional production from several record producers such as DJ Pooh, Daz Dillinger, Soopafly and L.T. Hutton; as well as guest appearances from Charlie Wilson, Kurupt, Tray Dee and Warren G, among others.
2001 is the second studio album by American rapper and hip hop producer Dr. Dre. It was released on November 16, 1999, by Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records as the follow-up to his 1992 debut album, The Chronic. The album was produced mainly by Dr. Dre and Mel-Man, as well as Lord Finesse, and features several guest contributions from Hittman, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Xzibit, Eminem, and Nate Dogg.
"Let Me Ride" is a song by rapper and producer Dr. Dre, released in 1993 as the third and final single from his debut studio album, The Chronic. It experienced moderate success on the charts, until it became a massive hit when Dre won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for the song during the Grammy Awards of 1994. The song features singers Ruben and Jewell, and uncredited vocals by fellow rapper Snoop Dogg
The Very Best Of Death Row is the second greatest hits album released by American record label Death Row Records on February 22, 2005. It contains some of the best recorded material from the label's former roster, such as 2Pac, Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, Warren G, The Lady of Rage, Nate Dogg, Michel'le, and a previously unreleased track from Petey Pablo and Kurupt. It was re-released on November 22, 2005 via Koch Records with accompanying music videos.
Christmas on Death Row is a Christmas compilation album by Death Row Records and Interscope Records on December 3, 1996. The album, Death Row's only Christmas-themed release, was made as a form of charity to the community.
"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" is a song by American rapper 2Pac from his fourth studio album, All Eyez on Me (1996). The song features fellow West Coast rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg and was produced by Dat Nigga Daz. The song was released as a promotional single for the album on May 7, 1996 and later as the B-side to the album's second major and third overall single, How Do U Want It. The song peaked at number 46 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. The song contains interpolations of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five's song "The Message" and "Radio Activity Rap " by MC Frosty and Lovin' C.
The East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry was a dispute between artists and fans of the East Coast hip hop and West Coast hip hop scenes in the United States, especially from the mid-1990s. Focal points of the feud were East Coast–based rapper The Notorious B.I.G. with Puff Daddy and their New York City–based label, Bad Boy Records, and West Coast–based rapper Tupac Shakur with Suge Knight and their Los Angeles–based label, Death Row Records. The feud culminated in the murders of both rappers in drive-by shootings within six months of each other; both murders remain unsolved. The rivalry ended with a "peace" summit in 1997 at the behest of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.
Too Gangsta for Radio is a compilation album by Death Row Records, released on September 26, 2000. Production was handled by Cold 187um, Break Bread Productions, Kenny McCloud, Myrion, Quincy Jones III, VMF, Ant Banks, Big Hollis, Blaqthoven, Daz Dillinger, Gary "Sugarfoot" Greenberg, Kurt "Kobane" Couthon, LJ and P. Killer Trackz, with Suge Knight serving as executive producer. It features contributions from the late 2Pac, Crooked I, Dresta, Swoop G, Tha Realest, Above The Law, CJ Mac, G.P., Juice, K-9, Keitarock, Lil' C-Style, Mac Shawn, Nuttz, The Relativez, Twist and Young Hoggs, as well as Ja Rule, Scarface, The Lox and Treach. Most of the songs are diss songs projected at former Death Row artists, including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Daz Dillinger among others. Although the album sold poorly, it peaked at #171 on the Billboard 200, #44 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #15 on the Independent Albums charts in the United States.
Above the Rim – The Soundtrack is the official soundtrack to the 1994 film of the same name. The soundtrack, released by Death Row and Interscope Records on March 22, 1994, was executive produced by Suge Knight. Dr. Dre acted as supervising producer on the project.
J-Flexx is an American former rapper and producer of Death Row Records.
All Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac and the last to be released during his lifetime. Released on February 13, 1996, by Death Row and Interscope Records, the album features guest appearances from Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Redman, Method Man, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, E-40, K-Ci & JoJo, and the Outlawz, among others.
Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000 - Still Smokin' is a compilation album released on May 4, 1999, by Death Row Records and Priority Records. The album features performances by various artists, including 2Pac, Treach, Scarface, Tha Realest, Swoop G, Lil' C-Style, K-Ci, Soopafly, Jewell, Danny Boy, Outlawz, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, E-40, Top Dogg, DJ Quik, and Miilkbone among others. Although the album charted well on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Billboard 200 charts, the album was received poorly by fans and critics.
Death Row: The Singles Collection is a compilation album released in 2007 by CEO of Death Row Recordings, Suge Knight, it contains hard to find remixes and b sides by artists such as Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, 2Pac, Dr. Dre plus more. This has been removed from Apple Music
Derrick Wade better known by his stage name Top Dogg and YGD Tha Top Dogg is an American rapper. Raised in Compton, California, Top Dogg was signed to Suge Knight's Death Row Records. He was shot in April 2003 by Los Angeles Police after a heated argument broke out resulting in a shoot out. He has been criticized for having a similar vocal style as former Death Row Records artist, Snoop Dogg.