Studio Album · No. 2
2001 Songwriting Credits by Dr. Dre
Produced by Dr. Dre, Mel-Man · Engineered by Richard "Segal" Huredia, Brian "Big Bass" Gardner
Aftermath / Interscope
West Coast Hip-HopGangsta RapG-FunkHardcore Hip-Hop
74%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 17 of 23 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 17 / 23 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 23 tracks with documented writers, by whether Dr. Dre carries a lyricist or composer credit.
17 trackswritten by Dr. Dre
6 tracksoutside writers
Dr. Dre's roles on this album
Share of the 23 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist74%
Composer74%
Producer91%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
23
Tracks
28
Lyricists
3
Producers
7.8 million
US Copies Sold
1999
Released
Awards & Recognition 2
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("Forgot About Dre") (2001)
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("The Next Episode") (2001, Nominated)
Data Insight
Though credited to Dr. Dre as producer and rapper, 2001 relied heavily on uncredited ghostwriting, a practice Dre has openly acknowledged across his career. Eminem co-wrote and shaped several tracks including Forgot About Dre, while newcomer Hittman wrote and performed on a large share of the record, and Jay-Z penned Still D.R.E. Royce da 5'9" contributed to writing as well, leaving Dre to function as a producer-auteur who directed the sound and delivered verses others largely composed.
Dr. Dre's second solo studio album, released November 16, 1999 on Aftermath Entertainment. Co-produced with Mel-Man (Melvin Bradford) throughout, 2001 debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and sold over seven million copies in the United States. Widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever recorded, it features an all-star cast including Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Nate Dogg, and The D.O.C. 'Still D.R.E.', 'Forgot About Dre', 'The Next Episode', and 'Xxplosive' are among its most enduring tracks. The album marked Dre's commercial comeback following his acrimonious departure from Death Row Records and the founding of Aftermath Entertainment.
Track Listing & Credits 23 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lolo (Intro)
|
Tracy DavisAlvin Nathaniel Joiner | Tracy DavisAlvin Nathaniel Joiner | Dr. DreMel-Man | XzibitBig Tray Deee |
| 2 |
The Watcher
|
Andre Romelle YoungMarshall Bruce Mathers III | Andre Romelle YoungMarshall Bruce Mathers III | Dr. DreMel-Man | EminemKnoc-Turn'al |
| 3 |
Fuck You
|
Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyDevin CopelandCalvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. | Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyDevin CopelandCalvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. | Dr. DreMel-Man | Devin the DudeSnoop Dogg |
| 4 |
Still D.R.E.
#93
|
Andre Romelle YoungMelvin BradfordShawn Corey CarterScott Storch | Andre Romelle YoungMelvin BradfordShawn Corey CarterScott Storch | Dr. DreMel-Man | Snoop Dogg |
| 5 |
Big Ego's
|
Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMelvin BradfordScott StorchTracy Lynn CurryRichard Bembery | Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMelvin BradfordScott StorchTracy Lynn CurryRichard Bembery | Dr. DreMel-Man | Hittman |
| 6 |
Xxplosive
|
Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyRicardo Emanuel BrownCraig LongmilesNathaniel Dwayne HaleChris Taylor | Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyRicardo Emanuel BrownCraig LongmilesNathaniel Dwayne HaleChris Taylor | Dr. DreMel-Man | HittmanKuruptNate DoggSix-Two |
| 7 |
What's the Difference
|
Melvin BradfordAlvin Nathaniel JoinerMarshall Bruce Mathers IIIRichard BemberyStefan Harris | Melvin BradfordAlvin Nathaniel JoinerMarshall Bruce Mathers IIIRichard BemberyStefan Harris | Dr. DreMel-Man | EminemXzibit |
| 8 |
Bar One (Skit)
|
Andre Romelle Young | Andre Romelle Young | Dr. DreMel-Man | Eddie GriffinMs. RoqTraci Nelson |
| 9 |
Light Speed
|
Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyRicardo Emanuel Brown | Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyRicardo Emanuel Brown | Dr. DreMel-Man | Hittman |
| 10 |
Forgot About Dre
#25
|
Marshall Bruce Mathers III | Marshall Bruce Mathers III | Dr. DreMel-Man | Eminem |
| 11 |
The Next Episode
#23
|
Andre Romelle YoungRicardo Emanuel BrownBrian BaileyMelvin BradfordCalvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.Nathaniel Dwayne Hale | Andre Romelle YoungRicardo Emanuel BrownBrian BaileyMelvin BradfordCalvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.Nathaniel Dwayne Hale | Dr. DreMel-Man | Snoop Dogg |
| 12 |
Let's Get High
|
Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMarshall Bruce Mathers IIIRicardo Emanuel BrownRacquel Weaver | Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMarshall Bruce Mathers IIIRicardo Emanuel BrownRacquel Weaver | Dr. DreMel-Man | HittmanKuruptMs. Roq |
| 13 |
Bitch Niggaz
|
Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMelvin BradfordCalvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.Craig Longmiles | Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMelvin BradfordCalvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.Craig Longmiles | Dr. DreMel-Man | Snoop DoggHittmanSix-Two |
| 14 |
The Car Bomb (Skit)
|
Andre Romelle YoungMelvin Bradford | Andre Romelle YoungMelvin Bradford | Dr. DreMel-Man | Charis HenryMel-Man |
| 15 |
Murder Ink
|
Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyRacquel Weaver | Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyRacquel Weaver | Dr. DreMel-Man | HittmanMs. Roq |
| 16 |
Ed-Ucation (Skit)
|
Eddie Griffin | Eddie Griffin | Dr. DreMel-Man | Eddie Griffin |
| 17 |
Some L.A. Niggaz
|
Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyAlvin Nathaniel JoinerDuane Johnson Jr.Royal HarborMarquese HolderRoger McBride | Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyAlvin Nathaniel JoinerDuane Johnson Jr.Royal HarborMarquese HolderRoger McBride | Dr. DreMel-Man | DefariXzibitKnoc-Turn'alTime BombKing TMC RenKokane |
| 18 |
Pause 4 Porno (Skit)
|
Jake SteedAndre Romelle YoungMelvin Bradford | Jake SteedAndre Romelle YoungMelvin Bradford | Dr. DreMel-Man | Jake Steed |
| 19 |
Housewife
|
Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMelvin BradfordRicardo Emanuel BrownTracy Lynn Curry | Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMelvin BradfordRicardo Emanuel BrownTracy Lynn Curry | Dr. DreMel-Man | KuruptHittman |
| 20 |
Ackrite
|
Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMelvin Bradford | Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMelvin Bradford | Dr. DreMel-Man | Hittman |
| 21 |
Bang Bang
|
Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMarshall Bruce Mathers IIIRoyal Harbor | Andre Romelle YoungBrian BaileyMarshall Bruce Mathers IIIRoyal Harbor | Dr. DreMel-Man | Knoc-Turn'alHittman |
| 22 |
The Message
|
Ryan Daniel MontgomeryRobert Lester HallCrystal Johnson | Ryan Daniel MontgomeryRobert Lester HallCrystal Johnson | Lord Finesse | Mary J. BligeRell |
| 23 |
Outro
|
Tommy Chong | Tommy Chong | - | Tommy Chong (Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 51 contributors
AR
Andre Romelle Young
Writer
BB
Brian Bailey
Writer
MB
Melvin Bradford
Writer
MB
Marshall Bruce Mathers III
Writer
RE
Ricardo Emanuel Brown
Writer
AN
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner
Writer
CC
Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.
Writer
CL
Craig Longmiles
Writer
ND
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale
Writer
RW
Racquel Weaver
Writer
RB
Richard Bembery
Writer
RH
Royal Harbor
Writer
More from Dr. Dre
Frequently Asked Questions 2001
Did Dr. Dre write 2001 himself?
No, Dr. Dre did not write most of 2001 himself. He has openly admitted to using ghostwriters throughout his career, and on this album writing duties were shared by Eminem, Hittman, Jay-Z, and Royce da 5'9". Dre's role was that of producer-auteur, directing the sound and performing verses largely composed by others.
Who wrote Forgot About Dre?
Forgot About Dre was co-written by Eminem, who also performs the second verse. Eminem shaped much of Dr. Dre's lyrical contribution to the track, which won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2001.
Who wrote Still D.R.E. for Dr. Dre?
Still D.R.E. was written by Jay-Z, who penned the lyrics for both Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on the song. The track was the lead single from 2001 and reached number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Who is Hittman on Dr. Dre's 2001?
Hittman was a then-unknown rapper signed to Aftermath who wrote and performed on a large portion of 2001, appearing on numerous tracks. His extensive but uncredited contributions made him one of the most prominent writing voices on the album behind Dre himself.
What are the singles from Dr. Dre's 2001?
The album produced three charting singles: Still D.R.E., Forgot About Dre, and The Next Episode. The Next Episode was the highest charting, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.
What awards did Dr. Dre's 2001 win?
Forgot About Dre, featuring Eminem, won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2001 Grammy Awards. The Next Episode was nominated in the same category that year but did not win.
How many copies did Dr. Dre's 2001 sell?
2001 was certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA and had sold roughly 7.8 million copies in the United States as of August 2015. It remains one of the best-selling hip-hop albums of its era.