u/tauopathic

Couldn't be me personally, but I'm wondering if there is anyone who actually picks Dre as their favourite RAPPER of the group? Whenever I see discussions about people picking who they think is the best rapper in the group, I have never seen anyone pick Dre. No hate on Dre, but I get it, obviously his production/mixing is his MUCH stronger talent (legendary status) and of course he was a big piece of the group overall.

But I don't think Dr. Dre is a bad rapper by any means. His flow is fine, his bars land, he's on beat, his delivery is fine. I think the other rappers in the group are just way more unique, they have more distinct voices, or are more talented when it comes to lyricism (particularly Cube and Ren). We know already that Dre didn't write a lot of his lyrics (which is fine, at least he doesn't pretend like he did) so to me it makes sense that he is able to deliver bars, but they feel kind of... Soulless? Bland? But I don't mind hearing a Dre verse or two on a song if he's collaborating with other artists on the song, such as with N.W.A. I think he adds a nice balance in the song when he's doing one verse and there's Eazy and Ren doing their own verses, too. The three of them add different variety and balance to a song when they all have equal parts, which is one of the reasons why I love N.W.A's music so much; having different rappers with their own individual styles collaborating together to make banger songs.

Anyway, maybe I got off-track, but I'm just curious if there is anybody who really does pick DRE as their favourite rapper in the group? Like, putting Dre's production talent aside and just him as a rapper.

Really love the music of N.W.A and would love to know the specific reasons for other people's top 10 songs of the group! Here's mine (my personal favourites, NOT objectively their "best works"):

1. Appetite For Destruction

This song ROCKS. Like it's just one of those songs that really hit different and put you in a nefarious, scheming mood. First off, Dre, Ren, and Eazy all ate on their verses equally. I know most people say Ren had the best verse but I thought they ALL shined in this song. Second off, the instrumentals are INSANE. The fact that Dre and Yella were able to make such a funky, evil banger from such a nasty chord is incredibly impressive to me. This song is a NEVER skip when it comes up in my playlist. Every cartoon villain probably has this song in their rotation.

2. Real N***az

Weird pick for my second favourite, but despite it being the "Ice Cube diss track" I actually just... Really like the song as a song itself. The instrumentals go hard, production was tight, and everyone's bars and flow were really good too. Honestly, I actually liked this song better than Ice Cube's "No Vaseline". I thought Cube's diss track had more clever insults, but to me, this song is just more replayable.

3. 100 Miles and Runnin'

Great song, I liked how the style of the song (and the whole EP actually) was very much distinctly in that "transition" period between the style of "Straight Outta Compton" and "efil4zaggin". Probably one of Dre's best rap verses of all time in my opinion. He really went off in that song as if it would be his last day ever rapping again.

4. F*ck Tha Police

Classic, essential N.W.A track. Obviously, one of the most iconic hip-hop tracks of all time that I never get tired of hearing. Ice Cube's verse is my favourite here that I can't help but rapping along to.

5. Findem, F*ckem, and Flee

Hilarious, catchy, groovy, and kinda sexy in a weird way. It's sexual, but doesn't go too far like some other sexual songs of theirs. It was just enough to stay balanced with both humour and fanservice. Can't help but also "sing" along to the hook every time. Not a song I'd play when I'm around others, though. More like a guilty pleasure track.

6. If It Ain't Ruff

An essential Ren track! One of his best songs. It's simple and sweet, yet still goes hard without being explicit. Just pure Ren flow and lyrical skills.

7. Dayz of Wayback

Honestly, this song does make me feel a bit soft with the "bittersweet nostalgia and mourning" vibes of the song itself, and yet, still goes hard despite the emotional undertones. The perfect concluding song for "efil4zaggin".

8. Prelude

Once I hear this song start I already get in a good mood, mostly because as "efil4zaggin"'s intro, usually it means I'm about to listen to my favourite album. The song is groovy and an underrated Ren track. His bars and flow here were great.

9. Gangsta Gangsta

Fun track from Cube and Eazy. One of those songs that's fun to rap along to.

10. Real N***az Don't Die

The transition from "Prelude" into this song is heavenly. Instrumentals and sampling are crazy hard (thank you Dre and Yella) and so do the bars from the trio. One of the group's most underrated songs in my opinion. Eazy's bar "Only the good die young so that makes me young and bad!" Is underrated.

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So those are my personal top 10. If it wasn't obvious, I am mostly a fan of the group's songs without Ice Cube... I love Cube but I just think a lot of the group's songs that are my favourites were from after he left the group! And yes, I am a Ren glazer.