By Chris Yuscavage
Yeah, yeah, we've all been fooled by Dr. Dre before.
It seems like every few months or so for the last ten years, a new Dr. Dre song hits the Internet. Rap fans begin clamoring about how it must be the good Doctor's new single. A rumor starts and suddenly everyone thinks Dre's long-awaited, much-talked-about, oft-delayed Detox album is coming. And then ... nothing.
Well, listen up, folks: Detox is dropping. For real this time. And not just because RapFix says so. But because Dre said as much when he jumped onto the cover of the December's XXL and told the world definitively that the LP will drop early next year. He's even got a street single, "Kush," featuring Snoop Dogg and Akon, making the rounds on the Internet (and iTunes!) and a Joseph Kahn-directed music video in the works. And, you know what? We believe him this time. Why, you ask? Well, to help show you, we came up with a list of 10 reasons why we think Dre is actually serious this time when he says he's dropping Detox. Here's why it's time to start believing the hype.
1. There are no more Eminem albums to hide behind
A couple of years ago, it sounded like Detox was really going to drop. It was finished, according to several artists who had worked closely with Dre, and it reportedly sounded great. Then, Slim Shady jumped back into the picture and Dre put everything on hold in order to work with his protege. But now that Relapse and Recovery are both in the bag, Dre's got no other major projects to impede his progress.
2. Dre—and all his ghostwriters—have to be getting tired of seeing his music leak to the Internet
From "Could Have Been You," featuring 50 Cent, R. Kelly and Slim da Mobster to "Under Pressure," featuring Jay-Z, Dre's had a handful of unfinished tracks leak to the Internet. No offense, Dre, but when you wait ten years to put out any new product, these things tend to happen. At this point, can he really risk holding onto Detox for another couple years and seeing spring it leak every couple months? He'd be better off finishing it and putting it out on his own terms.
3. "Kush" is featured on iTunes
One song that did leak that doesn't have Dre throwing a fit is the weed anthem, "Kush," which hit the 'net a couple weeks ago. It's already on iTunes for purchase and Dre's parent label Interscope Records seems to be standing behind it. It's the first time that's happened with one of Dre's song in a long time, leading us to believe that Detox is officially more than just an urban legend.
4. The good Doctor isn't getting any younger
Believe it or not, Dre is 45 years old. Yes, you read that right—45 years old. If he waits any longer to put Detox out, he'll be going through a midlife crisis when this album hits stores. And that's not exactly the look you're going for during a promo run for a new album.
5. The new generation of rap fans is too young to remember 2001
Think about this: People who were in high school back in 1998 when 2001 dropped are pushing 30 right now. People who were born shortly after it dropped are almost ready to enter high school (yikes—we feel old!). That means you've got a whole generation of rap fans who probably don't know Dre as anything other than "the guy who produces songs for Eminem." It's time to reintroduce yourself, Dre.
6. The response to Dre's appearance at Em and Jay-Z's Home & Home concerts was amazing
Thousands of fans chanted "DEEEEEE-TOX!" in unison when Em brought Dre out to perform "Still Dre," "Nothin' But A G Thang" and several other classic cuts. If that didn't inspire him to get back in the studio and put the finishing touches on the album, we don't know what will.
7. He has other projects that he wants to work on
Detox is not a swan song for Dre. He's not retiring or falling back once he puts it out (though, for the record, it does sound like he's hanging up the mic). In fact, he's already got a lineup of other projects he wants to work on, such as an instrumental album called The Planets (Sidebar: Odds on us hearing this before 2020?) and the N.W.A. biopic, "Straight Outta Compton," that he's helping Ice Cube produce. In order to get to those, he needs to get through Detox.
8. There are more Beats by Dre headphones to be sold!
If nothing else, Dre releasing a new album is good for business. More new songs means more new music videos which means more product placement for Beats By Dre headphones—which means more sales. A new album will also raise Dre's profile even higher than it already is and probably help him snag another endorsement deal or two. Releasing Detox ASAP is a good business decision.
9. The buzz for the album isn't going to get any bigger than it is right now
Between the XXL cover, the appearances on the Home & Home bill, and the release of "Kush," the buzz for Detox is just about as big as it's gonna get from this point forward. If Dre doesn't release it now, he's not going to find a better time to do it.
10. The album has to be finished by now ... right?
The one thing we've heard over (and over and over and over and over) for the last ten years is that Dre is a perfectionist. He tweaks every single sound, overanalyzes every lyric and pushes every artist that he works with to do bigger and better things. That was all well and good five years ago, but at this point, Detox has to be finished. Or, at least, as close to "finished" as Dre is going to get it. Hey, Kanye West—a fellow perfectionist—just finished a damn-near-classic album in less than a year. It doesn't take forever. The time is now, Dre.
Do you believe Dr. Dre will drop Detox in 2011? Are you excited to see what he has in store for us? Tweet us at @MTVRapFix or tell us in a comment below!