"Forgot About Dre" is a song by American rapper-producer

Dr. Dre Andre Romelle Young (born February 18, 1965), known professionally as Dr. Dre, is an American rapper and record producer. He is the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, and previously co-founded, co-owned, and ...

featuring vocals and sole songwriting from American rapper

Eminem Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem (; often stylized as EMINƎM), is an American rapper and record producer. He is credited with popularizing hip hop in middle America and is critically acclai ...

, released as second single from the former's album '' 2001'' (1999).

Background

The song is considered a response to

diss tracks A diss track, diss record or diss song (diss – abbr. from ''disrespect'') is a song whose primary purpose is to verbally attack someone else, usually another artist. Diss tracks are often the result of an existing, escalating feud between the ...

by Death Row artists on '' Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000'', a compilation released by Suge Knight that takes its title from Dre's 1992 album ''

The Chronic ''The Chronic'' is the debut studio album by the American hip hop producer and rapper Dr. Dre. It was released on December 15, 1992, by his record label Death Row Records and distributed by Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place in ...

''. The line "Who you think brought you the oldies, Eazy-E's, Ice Cube's, and

DOC DOC, Doc, doc or DoC may refer to: In film and television * ''Doc'' (2001 TV series), a 2001–2004 PAX series * ''Doc'' (1975 TV series), a 1975–1976 CBS sitcom * "D.O.C." (''Lost''), a television episode * ''Doc'' (film), a 1971 Wester ...

's, the Snoop D.O. Double G's, and the group that said 'Motherfuck the police'?" outlines Dre's importance in the rap world, the theme of the song. Dre also mentions how people said he turned to

pop music Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form during the mid-1950s in the United States and the United Kingdom. The terms ''popular music'' and ''pop music'' are often used interchangeably, although the former describe ...

and the criticism that

Nas Nas (born 1973) is the stage name of American rapper Nasir Jones. Nas, NaS, or NAS may also refer to: Aviation * Nasair, a low-cost airline carrier and subsidiary based in Eritrea * National Air Services, an airline in Saudi Arabia ** Nas Air ( ...

' supergroup The Firm received about '' The Album'', which Dre produced. Eminem's verse features the bizarre violence and aggression typical of his "Slim Shady" alter ego. In an interview,

Kendrick Lamar Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter. Known for his progressive musical styles and socially conscious songwriting, he is often considered one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generat ...

said this and Six-Two's verse from "

Xxplosive "Xxplosive" is a song by Dr. Dre from his album '' 2001''. It features Kurupt, Hittman, and Six-Two on the verses and Nate Dogg singing the chorus. The track is based upon the song "Bumpy's Lament" by Soul Mann & the Brothers. The original ti ...

" tied for the best verses on ''2001''.

Music video

The video was directed by Philip G. Atwell and was shot between December 24-26, 1999. It was released on January 9, 2000. The video opens at night with Dr. Dre rapping in front of a newsstand in a city. Eminem raps as he walks through a dark city street. A few explicit lines in Eminem's verse are replaced with a skit in which Eminem is answering reporter Jane Yamamoto's questions about a fire he and Dre started. When the video ends, it switches to "Last Dayz" by

Hittman Brian Anthony Bailey (born September 14, 1974), best known under his stage name Hittman (acronym for ''Highly Intense Tongue Talents Make All Nervous''), is an American West Coast rapper, songwriter and record producer originating from Los Ange ...

. This video won the

MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video The MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video was first given out in 1989, and it was one of the four original genre categories added at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards. This award was last given out in 2006, as MTV did not bring it back in 2008 like ...

in 2000.

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

called "Forgot About Dre" a standout track, praising Eminem's unpredictability. ''

NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming, and culture website and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a 'rock inkie', the NME would become a magazine that ended up as a f ...

'' wrote that the song "jogs isteners'memories" as to Dre's accomplishments" and keeps "his legend simmering." According to Chris Massey of PopMatters, "it's the frantic rap of Eminem that truly stands out, perhaps only because he's the freshest voice on board." Greg Tate of '' SPIN'' noted that Dr. Dre uses this song to "make sure all recognize his majesty", with Eminem "standing by him like a cartoon pitbull." "Forgot About Dre" has been widely regarded as one of Eminem's best songs. ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...

'' and ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

'' both ranked the song number three on their lists of the greatest Eminem songs.

Awards and nominations

Track listing

;UK CD single #1 ;UK CD single #2 ;12" vinyl

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

External links

* * {{authority control 1999 songs 2000 singles Eminem songs Dr. Dre songs Horrorcore songs Gangsta rap songs Hardcore hip hop songs Songs written by Eminem Interscope Records singles Aftermath Entertainment singles Song recordings produced by Dr. Dre Song recordings produced by Mel-Man