Detox (album)

Detox is the upcoming third and final album by West Coast rapper/record producer Dr. Dre. The album was supposed to be released in September 2007, however, the release date was later pushed back to mid-2008.

It was originally due for release in 2004, but was not completed. There have also been rumours that the famous producer had completed the album some time back but was not satisfied with it, and instead sold the beats to former Aftermath Entertainment artist The Game. Dr. Dre wanted to concentrate on producing artists that were on his Aftermath label, such as 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, and Eve.

Dr. Dre first mentioned the Detox album to the press around 2000, and since that time various producers and vocalists have contributed with potential tracks. Dr. Dre bought a beat for Detox from producer Jonathan Rotem in 2003 and went so far as to record a vocal, titling the track, "It Ain't a Thing". The song, which was previewed for the Los Angeles Times, has yet to be heard outside the producer's studio.citation needed] In January 2004 co-producer Scott Storch listed guest appearances by the following artists: 50 Cent, Eminem, Guvner, Knoc-turn'al, Lloyd Banks, Snoop Dogg, and The Game. Aftermath-affiliated producers Hi-Tek, Kon Artis, Mahogany, and Nottz are also working with Dr. Dre for the album. On Just Blaze's MySpace page, there is a photo of Just Blaze, Dr. Dre, and The D.O.C. with the caption "No really... watch out for Detox." This seems to confirm that Just Blaze will be a guest producer on the upcoming album, and The D.O.C. will be a performer. When asked about Detox by Dubcnn.com, Devin the Dude claimed to have accepted an invitation to record for the album. Bishop Lamont said that he recorded vocals for some potential Detox songs, and that Mel-Man had co-produced some tracks.citation needed] Mike Elizondo has recorded bass guitar parts for the album. An interview with Billboard revealed that Jonathan Rotem will be producing for the album. On his MySpace page, Dawaun Parker stated that he will also be producing for the album.citation needed] In the July/August 2007 issue of Scratch magazine, rapper Lil Wayne stated that he recorded tracks for Detox in exchange for beats to use on his upcoming album, Tha Carter III.citation needed] Jay-Z also stated that he worked with Dr. Dre for Detox.

At one point, Dr. Dre had intended for Detox to be a concept album. In an interview with MTV in 2002, Dr. Dre explained that "I'm not talking about lowriders and blunts and all that anymore... I mean, that's played. As a matter of fact, I'm tired of hearing other people talk about it, to tell you the truth... I had to come up with something different but still keep it hardcore, so what I decided to do was make my album one story about one person and just do the record through a character's eyes, and everybody that appears on my album is going to be a character, so it's basically going to be a hip-hop musical." It is unknown whether or not this approach to the album is still what Dr. Dre has in plan.

According to a Sirius Satellite Radio interview early in 2007,citation needed] Timbaland stated that he produced a track or two for Detox in turn for Dr. Dre's appearance on Timbaland Presents Shock Value. On February 18, 2007, Dr. Dre called in to L.A. radio station Power 106 to discuss Detox. He announced that the album is to be released in 2007, although he is not certain on the month, and stated that he has completed eighteen potential tracks for the album, but that the final version of the album would only include twelve to thirteen. Dr. Dre also mentioned that upstarts Bishop Lamont and Slim the Mobster will be featured on it, and that he would like to include anyone he has ever worked with. RZA also recently confirmed he has co-produced a track with Dr. Dre that featured Marsha Ambrosius from Floetry, which may or may not be on Detox. 50 Cent called Pow Radio and said that he recorded two tracks for Detox.citation needed] Dr. Dre confirmed that the intro is called "Intervention".