20 Ways Dr. Dre's The Chronic Changed Music

20 years later, the legacy of this classic album lives on.

When Rap Beef Got Real - Diss tracks had been a part of hip hop since the beginning, but "F--k Wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin')," which called out Eazy-E, Luke and Tim Dog, elevated them to a new, scarier level. Rather than just a string of insults and ya-mama jokes, Dr. Dre threatened to shoot, beat down and even rape his foes on the track. And the hilarious video, which featured Eazy E and Luke impersonators, was straight-up character assassination. This song is the moment when rap beef got real. (Photo: Interscope)
Rap Meets the 'Burbs - Rap had been making inroads into suburban, mainstream America for years, but The Chronic broke through like never before. "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang" was party-starting, nationwide hit; all the sudden, you'd hear 808s on Main Street. Rap was becoming as American as apple pie. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
Stranded on Death Row - The Chronic introduced Death Row's shockingly deep roster—Dr. Dre, Snoop, Nate Dogg, Dogg Pound, Lady of Rage, RBX—and immediately made it hip hop's biggest powerhouse for much of the decade. Other classic, best-selling releases, including Tupac's All Eyez on Me and Snoop's Doggystyle, followed, and stars including Hammer and Left Eye later gravitated to the label.  (Photos From Left: Chris Weeks/Liaison Robert Mora/Getty Images)
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Rap Meets the 'Burbs - Rap had been making inroads into suburban, mainstream America for years, but The Chronic broke through like never before. "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang" was party-starting, nationwide hit; all the sudden, you'd hear 808s on Main Street. Rap was becoming as American as apple pie. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

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