Compton
by Dr. Dre
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 275 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 237 out of 275
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 275
  3. Negative: 17 out of 275

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  1. alexnigel117
    Aug 2, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dr Dre directed an entire movie in this album what a maestro, 10/10 for production, beat selection, and storytelling. Dr Dre is a monster compared to himself in the 90s.… Expand
  2. JUXXXLIO
    Aug 22, 2022
    0
    When I listen to this crap the first thing I think of is the old people that blame ROCK for being repetitive. If you haven't heard this overrated album before; don't bother listening to it now.
  3. Nnaemeka
    Aug 29, 2021
    10
    A solid one from the talented Compton producer. Very wonderful mixes and a reason for us to forget detox for now.
  4. ChunkDump
    Dec 29, 2020
    6
    I have a strong feeling that this isnt the true "Detox" album that we as fans overhyped/anticipated. he claims to have "renamed" the detox to "Compton" how creative. its so hard to follow up with his two masterpieces Chronic and Chronic 2001 (Not including all the NWA **** that dont count). he released "Kush" as part of the REAL Detox project but its been damn near 10 years since thatI have a strong feeling that this isnt the true "Detox" album that we as fans overhyped/anticipated. he claims to have "renamed" the detox to "Compton" how creative. its so hard to follow up with his two masterpieces Chronic and Chronic 2001 (Not including all the NWA **** that dont count). he released "Kush" as part of the REAL Detox project but its been damn near 10 years since that singles release. he might not ever drop it. dont hold your breath because somethings telling me Dre isnt either.… Expand
  5. FruitJuice
    Jul 18, 2017
    7
    good album.....................................................................................................................................................................
  6. Jensen67
    May 23, 2017
    9
    2015 was a really good year for hip hop in my opinion, and this album did nothing but help it earn that sentiment from me. There are no bad songs on this in my opinion.

    Best songs: Deep Water / Issues / Loose Cannons
  7. jaramillo_ge
    Feb 3, 2017
    8
    I like this album a lot, but one of the songs is kind of cheesy, darkside/gone. I hate that song. All of the other songs i like, like deep water, talk about it, and talking to my diary.
  8. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    8
    8.0
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  9. Army_of_One
    Jun 24, 2016
    9
    I'm glad Dr. Dre waited sixteen years to give this to us. I really am. Detox may finally be officially over, but with the release of Compton, that's no matter at all. In the decade and a half since 2001, Dre's sophomore solo effort, Hip-Hop has undeniably changed. The 90's where crammed to the rafters with hardcore rap - The Wu-Tang, Nas, just to name a few - but now, that isn't the case.I'm glad Dr. Dre waited sixteen years to give this to us. I really am. Detox may finally be officially over, but with the release of Compton, that's no matter at all. In the decade and a half since 2001, Dre's sophomore solo effort, Hip-Hop has undeniably changed. The 90's where crammed to the rafters with hardcore rap - The Wu-Tang, Nas, just to name a few - but now, that isn't the case. Newcomers have tried new things; you'd never have caught a rapper singing on his albums before 2008, but Kanye did it, and then so did Drake, which resulted in R&B and Hip-Hop merging into one untidy mess. The era that Dre first made music in has long gone, and Compton makes a clear point at why this is a good thing. (Don't worry, there's no sappy R&B here though)

    I didn't like The Chronic. I didn't like 2001, besides a few of the better songs I picked out of it. (And it always confuses me why he called it that when it came out in 1999, only two years prior to the album title. Sure, you can name your album anything you like, but if you're going to title it a year that hasn't yet arrived, why not call name it a year that won't come and pass in such a short space of time?) Because this album is so sonically departed from the last two, and the topics are more serious, (less about smoking weed every day, for starters) I can easily say I really like this album. The beats are modern and heavily layered. The verses feel energized - Dre has an entirely new, almost unrecognizable flow. If there's ever a time where you want to hear him spit poison from his bared fangs, look at "Genocide". The beat is perfect here - it captures the atmosphere violently, powerfully. The steadily lowering bass line feels like it's shuddering down your spine. Dre unleashes an unseen fury, backed up by the one and only Kendrick Lamar, who seems to be using his To Pimp A Butterfly voice with his good kid, m.A.A.d city subject matter. Could it get any better? Speaking of Kendrick, all of the features on Compton all live up to expectations, showcasing both new talent (Anderson .Paak, Justus, and King Mez, the newcomers who are all scattered across the writing credits of the entire 16 songs of the album) and old talent from Dre's time (Ice Cube comes through with a verse, and Snoop Dogg is angrier than we've heard him in a long time). Kendrick delivers three solid verses on three tracks ("Genocide", "Darkside/Gone", and "Deep Water") and Eminem can be found right on the back end of "Medicine Man".

    Here's the thing with Eminem - we've already mentioned that Hip-Hop has drastically changed since Dre's time. Eminem proves the point harder than most - on 2001 we heard his 1999 nasally, pipsqueak, but still very compelling flow that was to be found on The Slim Shady LP and a few other places, like the Sway & King Tech posse cut. Now, we have his Shady XV, 40-year-old angry shout, the rage slowly building up from a calmness that I hoped would last, but didn't.

    Dre claimed that the inspiration for the album came from watching "Straight Outta Compton" the 2015 bio-film titled after N.W.A.'s 1988 debut album. It seems cliche, but it works; the album talk of Compton street violence and N.W.A. comes out fresh and re-polished, even after so many years. You can tell Dre misses N.W.A., especially Eazy-E, who succumbed to AIDS in 1995 after the group had fallen apart. A twenty year old Eazy voice sample is used for a spectacular beat switch on Darkside/Gone; "Eazy-E, CPT, OG from the other side" brilliant. Two decades down and Eazy still kills it from the grave.
    Another reason I'm glad Dre waited so long for Compton is because it feels like it's also inspired by so many things since the 90's, musically and otherwise. In terms of the music inspirations, I was drawing comparisons between good kid, m.A.A.d city and this album. Not the impeccable, genius, personally narrative flow that GKMC has, but it feels musically inspired by Kendrick's masterpiece, which isn't surprising due to Kendrick's appearances on this album, Kendrick and Dre's outside affiliation, and the fact both albums are set in Compton, Los Angeles. The the beats on both "Genocide", and also "Satisfiction", remind me of Chance The Rapper's "Paranoia" in the way that the sound almost draws you completely into the realm of the artist, and makes the lyrics feel so much heavier, with a much harder punch. But atmospheric music all we get; lines like "I lie on the side of a one way street / Nowhere to go, death all I can see" definitely wouldn't fit on the celebratory horns of "Talk About It" which instead houses the lines "I said I want it all! / Damn, I'm too old, I forgot I got it all." Dre just bought California. 9.0/10    … Expand
  10. raywithajay
    Jun 3, 2016
    8
    Compton has a unique style compared to Dre's classic g-funk records. Dre explores a more modern sound, with both eclectic and old school influences. Production in this album is excellent; it's amazing to see Dre adapt so well to modern hip-hop after not releasing a record in 16 years. He uses a wide variety of samples and production styles to create a refined yet gritty sound. While DreCompton has a unique style compared to Dre's classic g-funk records. Dre explores a more modern sound, with both eclectic and old school influences. Production in this album is excellent; it's amazing to see Dre adapt so well to modern hip-hop after not releasing a record in 16 years. He uses a wide variety of samples and production styles to create a refined yet gritty sound. While Dre features a lot of artists, this is his style. Dre's always been more of a producer than a rapper, but he allows featured artists to shine while not stealing his spotlight. However, his verses on this album are some of the best he's ever rapped. Since this album is supposed to be his final act, he touches on many subjects which he is able to rap wholeheartedly about. The variety in sound throughout the album contributes to its cohesiveness, rather than taking away from it. If you're just a hip-hop fan in general, I would highly recommend listening to this album… Expand
  11. Chrislex777
    Mar 22, 2016
    10
    I really like the way Dr. Dre diverse his sound with what is poppin' today. It shows his versatility as a producer and that's the main reason why i like this album so much!!!
  12. Mcgillacuddy
    Feb 4, 2016
    10
    Okay, I already did a review for this album, but I want to do a longer one and rate the songs track by track. I'm an audiophile, so I mostly pay attention to rhythms, rap flow, and other aspects of a song rather than the lyrical content, but I've listened to this album many times so I can give each track reasonable judgement. Since I'm an audiophile, if a song has a sick rhythm andOkay, I already did a review for this album, but I want to do a longer one and rate the songs track by track. I'm an audiophile, so I mostly pay attention to rhythms, rap flow, and other aspects of a song rather than the lyrical content, but I've listened to this album many times so I can give each track reasonable judgement. Since I'm an audiophile, if a song has a sick rhythm and excellent rap flow, then you'll expect a perfect score from me, so don't rely on me on how much the album stays true to classic Dre content or whatever, because that's not me.

    Intro 9/10: A simple intro explaining what Compton has turned into. It also has great background rhythm, which leads nicely into the next track.

    Talk About It 10/10: A great start for the album. The rhythm is excellent and live, more like a club banger, but I think that's necessary for the start of a rap album. It needs to get the listener hyped.

    Genocide 9/10: Great beat and excellent verse from Kendrick Lamar, and it's actually one of the few songs on the album with an old school flow.

    It's All On Me 10/10: Another track with an old school flow, which I know is in retrospect of classic Dre content, which is its simplicity and verses. Sound excellent.

    All In A Day's Work 10/10: It utilizes a very intriguing performance from Anderson .Paak, and it sounds excellent. It deserves a perfect score from me.

    Darkside/Gone 8/10: Darkside sounds different. Very different. It's not the best sound but it still sounds good because it's unique. Gone is more simple. The tempo is low and the verses are a bit quick for the rhythm, but it was one the songs that drew my attention closer to the lyrics, and it sounds great. Not one of the better songs but still deserves a high score.

    Loose Cannons 6/10: The rhythm is a little bit sloppy and too ongoing. Some sounds could've been cut to make it more simple. Lyrics are okay and the ending skit was good. The reason I did like the ending skit was because of the realism in it, or maybe I just watch too many movies. Idk but I saw it fitting to put on a performance for the ears.

    Issues 10/10: Very good song. I love the rhythm and Ice Cube was very fired up on the track. I also love the chorus line from Dem Jointz. The ending with the shooting and cop chase sounds mixed with Dem Jointz singing kinda made me tear up. It sounded epic. LoL I know. I'm crazy, but I get goosebumps when songs do that.

    Deep Water 11/10: Yes I know I put one point over the score limit, but this is my highlight of the album. Deep Water is a crazy good song. The rhythm is insane and Kendrick Lamar's verse gave me goosebumps.

    One Shot One Kill 10/10: A fire track. Main reason is because the verses are easy flow with the rhythm, making the song quite fun.

    Just Another Day 9/10: IT'S MOTHERF**KIN GAME TIIIIIME!!!!! Yeah, I guess whenever you hear something like that at the beginning of a song, then you know it's gonna be fire. This track was all The Game. I found it quite awkward that his voice was autotuned higher in the mid-point of the song, though. I don't know if it was really the Game who did that voice but I can't find any proof of anyone else on the track, so I just pretend that someone else did it to keep it from feeling awkward. Still love the verses, though. A short but fire track.

    For the Love of Money 10/10: Old school flow, fire verses, and it all sounds incredible. That's pretty much all you need to know.

    Satisfiction 7/10: Didn't grab my attention as much as the other tracks on the album but still sounds decent. The rhythm is pretty old school but it still didn't feel hard enough.

    Animals 9/10: A lyrically intriguing song and another great performance from Anderson .Paak.

    Medicine Man 10/10: I know there are a lot of people who like and don't like this track. This is mostly due to the chorus line and Eminem's verse. The chorus can be too simplistic for some listeners but for me, lyrically it was good. "Doctor's orders, go f*ck yourself, take two a day set him on an overdose and kill yourself". That's just telling it like it is right there. Most people don't enjoy Eminem's content today, and I can understand that just by comparing his old music with his new, but since I AM an audiophile, I simply don't give a damn. I love his music, old and new, and Eminem explodes on Medicine Man.

    Talking to My Diary 10/10: Here we get to end with classic Dre style. An excellent, driving rhythm, a great performance from Dre, and an awesome ending instrumental. The perfect way to end an album.

    This album is not for everyone. If you're an old school rap purist, then Compton may be forgettable, but for me, a person who just likes good music, Compton was a masterpiece. What Dre did right was his mixture of rhythms and verses, which puts on a great performance. There's really only one track on the album that I can bypass, which is Loose Cannons, so Compton is a nearly perfect rap Album.
    9.5/10    … Expand
  13. TheDarkVillon
    Jan 11, 2016
    10
    Initially I was blown back by the difference in sound from 2001 and almost didn't listen to it. After getting over the fact hip hop has evolved massively in 16 years I gave it another go......Dre........You are still KING. My favorite of your works yet and cant stop listening to it. I challenge an Dre fan who criticizes this work to listen to it once a day for four days in a row and if itInitially I was blown back by the difference in sound from 2001 and almost didn't listen to it. After getting over the fact hip hop has evolved massively in 16 years I gave it another go......Dre........You are still KING. My favorite of your works yet and cant stop listening to it. I challenge an Dre fan who criticizes this work to listen to it once a day for four days in a row and if it doesn't start working its magic on you by then. It never will and I feel for you as this is AMAZING.....Nuff Said… Expand
  14. TimW001
    Dec 24, 2015
    7
    An album which has the classic and distinctive sound of Dr Dre. The album has many guests which feature great verses. Compton overall is a strong album with a few great tracks and a lot of pretty good to alright tracks.
  15. lisiak
    Dec 20, 2015
    6
    I didn't suppose that he would give us an album in this year. Everyone waited for 'Detox', but we have got 'Compton'. It's interesing music, but I'm not a big fan of this album. :)
  16. ben_zo77
    Nov 27, 2015
    8
    Compton wasn't what I expected, but it's a fantastic final album for Dre. I thought his last album would be similar to his first two, hopefully with newer versions of "The Next Episode", "The Watcher", etc. It truly is a soundtrack for the city of Compton, with the grandiose production and Compton-themed songs. It pains me to say this, but I thought Dre's rapping hurt several tracks. HisCompton wasn't what I expected, but it's a fantastic final album for Dre. I thought his last album would be similar to his first two, hopefully with newer versions of "The Next Episode", "The Watcher", etc. It truly is a soundtrack for the city of Compton, with the grandiose production and Compton-themed songs. It pains me to say this, but I thought Dre's rapping hurt several tracks. His artistic vision, influence, and experience make this project what it is, however. There are quite a few flaws stemming from the general clutter on the album, with so many features and differing styles. Regardless, Dre did what many fail to do: he ended his legendary rapping career with a great album. ~ 8.4/10
    Best track: "Just Another Day"
    Other notable tracks: "Genocide", "It's All On Me", "Deep Water", "One Shot One Kill", "Medicine Man" & "Talking To My Diary"    … Expand
  17. GuigaSerra
    Oct 13, 2015
    10
    Great album, with great features, filled of talents, great songs, Snoop and Dre singing again together, with the music from the movie straight outta Compton, great lyrics about the life of Dre with the rest of the NWA integrants.
  18. Urbanlistener
    Oct 6, 2015
    10
    Where was Dre for 16 years? He was taking his time to perfect the beat!Nowadays everybody wanna talk like they got something to say, but nothing comes out when they move their lips, just a bunch of gibberish and motherfu****s act like they forgot about Dre. Was true in 99 and is still true today. This album is whitout any doubt a more than satisfying return for him. His beats are craftedWhere was Dre for 16 years? He was taking his time to perfect the beat!Nowadays everybody wanna talk like they got something to say, but nothing comes out when they move their lips, just a bunch of gibberish and motherfu****s act like they forgot about Dre. Was true in 99 and is still true today. This album is whitout any doubt a more than satisfying return for him. His beats are crafted like a masterpiece, the invited artists all have their place and the album is coherent which is rare nowadays. The album will please both old school and new school hip hop fans with artists from all generations. Even if its new schoolish, it is not a fake swagger album like Young thug for example, it is high quality west coast hip hop. Nothing bad to say about it, perfect grade.… Expand
  19. ugura
    Sep 22, 2015
    10
    great album, good story, its comed fro dr.dre best producer, thx for your work dre

    he spend to much time on it, thtat why nice music and good lyrics
  20. ToFewViews
    Sep 13, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dre promised the world "Detox", but that was scrapped and many years later we were given "Compton". Based on the two singles released for "Detox" a couple years back, I'd say we should count ourselves lucky.

    "Compton" was inspired by the set of the "Straight Outta Compton", and **** am I excited to see that movie now that I've heard this. From the beginning of track 2 to the end of 16, this is a collection of great music with awesome features. It's old news that Dre may not completely write every word he spits himself, and I say who cares. Sure he's not an elite MC in that aspect, but **** does this guy have an eye for talent, new and old. Features such as King Mez, Anderson .Paak, Ice Cube, Xzibit, Snoop Dogg and obviously Eminem and Kendrick Lamer, and ther are several new names people are going to check or more after hearing them on this project.

    Deffinetly my favorite tracks are 9. Deep Water (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Justus & Anderson .Paak) and 15. Medicine Man (feat. Eminem, Candice Pillay & Anderson .Paak). Kendrick and Eminem just have such hard verses on there they quickly became my most played off the album. But the absolute best part of the album for me was hearing Dre brag in the line "I was getting money before the Internet, still got Eminem cheques I ain't opened yet" as soon as I heard that line the first time I just lost it.

    In conclusion this album has some serious beats, great verses and that Dr. Dre sound and production that brings them all together. I don't think "Compton" is something anyone saw coming especially for a 50 year old rapper, and then this guy turns around and does something even wilder. Dre is donating all of his artist royalties from this album to fund an Arts Center in Compton. Take that, those who blame everything on gangster rap. Anyways, "Compton" is one of the stronger albums of 2015, and if you're a rap fan, you'll find something you'll like on it. Hopefully this bodes well for "Straight Outta Compton".    … Expand
  21. vgmkyle
    Aug 31, 2015
    9
    You've gotta know that this album is going to be quality from the start. Dre's beats are incredible, and synchronized well for the times. If Chronic was all Snoop, if 2001 was all Eminem -- Compton is definitely all Kendrick. His features scattered throughout vibe with Dre the best, but every track is meticulously produced.
  22. R3QU13M
    Aug 27, 2015
    9
    Fantastic Album! A somewhat unanticipated departure from the long awaited Detox album, "Compton: A Soundtrack" is a pleasing amalgamation of Old-School hip hop sounds and ambitious new school beats all with the production quality you would expect from such a prolific figure in the music industry. Excellent!
  23. geedup
    Aug 23, 2015
    3
    You can try to annoint this as "the sh*t" because of Dre. And when I began listening to it, I was ready for some fire! But there is not one single outstanding track on this, as if it was a promo CD for Straight Otta Compton or something. He has K.Dot on it, and its "meh" and even Em appears on it, and his track is forgettable, Not sure what these people calling it a "10" are hearing-ifYou can try to annoint this as "the sh*t" because of Dre. And when I began listening to it, I was ready for some fire! But there is not one single outstanding track on this, as if it was a promo CD for Straight Otta Compton or something. He has K.Dot on it, and its "meh" and even Em appears on it, and his track is forgettable, Not sure what these people calling it a "10" are hearing-if they are hearing. Pass on this sh8t fo' sho'.… Expand
  24. TheDude-
    Aug 23, 2015
    10
    Compton is a fantastic album with extremely well written lyrics that are very catchy and of course seeing dr dre produced this the beat in every song is head bop inducing.
    10/10 buy this album if you are a fan of quality rap music.
  25. elxoro
    Aug 21, 2015
    10
    muy buen ultimo álbum de dr dre. hizo una buena despedida jhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhtgfr6edrtfgyhujolikujhytgfredfrtgyhjuhytgfredfrtgyhujhytgfrdghjgh
  26. MetaCrap
    Aug 21, 2015
    0
    My review was deleted?

    Not going to bother writing it again.

    Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah
  27. lion-o
    Aug 20, 2015
    2
    I wanted RAP, what I got was an usher album. I will go back to listening to Tupac, at least he has an excuse for not delivering **** after 16 years. Dre should have just made an album of unreleased tracks from the 90s
  28. mazvi
    Aug 20, 2015
    6
    the album was good but was not what i expected from dr dre it sounded more like an deductive version of Good Kid mad city . the beats in songs like Its All On Me where the type of beats we where expecting from the legend . a modern beat with a touch of old school , but he failed to deliver in most of the songs. so my rating is bases on dr dre standard
  29. SBMike1
    Aug 18, 2015
    7
    It's okay at best. Gets corny at times especially with the skits. But, Kendrick is a real bright spot throughout the album and leaves his mark on Compton.
  30. thepundit
    Aug 18, 2015
    3
    Dre isn't just your average producer in the history of Hip-Hop/Rap. The Chronic and 2001 were trailblazers for the West Coast rap scene. With those two albums Dr. Dre continued to reinvent the West Coast sound however this time round the sound was all too familiar, a sound that has already been done by other producers over the past couple of years and made the album underwhelming.Dre isn't just your average producer in the history of Hip-Hop/Rap. The Chronic and 2001 were trailblazers for the West Coast rap scene. With those two albums Dr. Dre continued to reinvent the West Coast sound however this time round the sound was all too familiar, a sound that has already been done by other producers over the past couple of years and made the album underwhelming. Lyrically it wasn't any better - Dre and his ghostwriters failed to deliver noteworthy rhymes and the young brigade of artists that featured on this album didn't help the cause. I still ask myself why Dre didn't open the first song on the album strongly instead opting for King Mez spitting a Future-ish rap. Maybe I am a tad too harsh however that was the bar that Dre set and for me the album failed on both fronts. Compton is an album that will descend in time after the current hype. It ain't no classic and now I understand why Dre himself canned the Detox project time after time.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best Album of 2015
27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2015
65
#65 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. The Source
    Oct 20, 2015
    90
    Compton gives every indication that Dr. Dre is as potent now as he was in the 20th century's final decade. [#267, p.91]
  2. Uncut
    Sep 28, 2015
    70
    Compton is a solid reminder of both Dre's skills and the depth of his contacts book. [Nov 2015, p.75]
  3. Dusted Magazine
    Sep 9, 2015
    80
    There are innovative and fresh beats and voices, and the record rarely falters.
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