No One Can Do It Better
Encyclopedia
No One Can Do It Better is The D.O.C.
's debut album, released on June 16, 1989. It reached number-one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
chart for two weeks, while peaking in the Top 20 on the Billboard 200
chart. The album was certified gold by the RIAA three months after it was released, and platinum on April 21, 1994. This was the only solo album The D.O.C. was able to record before a car accident resulted in crushing his larynx
, permanently changing his voice. He would not release another album until 7 years later, with Helter Skelter
(1996).
, The D.O.C. always showed more of a lyrical style, not talking about guns, drugs and violence. The album received a Parental Advisory
sticker because of the final track on the album ("The Grand Finalé").
Most of the songs were influenced and sampled from funk
artists such as Marvin Gaye
, Parliament
, and Funkadelic
, but one track in particular was influenced by other genres, "Beautiful But Deadly", a rock-hip hop track, influenced by Run-D.M.C.
with a heavy guitar riff throughout the song (it borrows from Funkadelic
's Cosmic Slop
).
All five then-current members of N.W.A contributed to this album. Beats were produced by Dr. Dre
, with Eazy-E
being the executive producer and DJ Yella
co-producing "The Grand Finalé". Dre, Ice Cube
, MC Ren
and Eazy all provide vocals for "The Grand Finalé", while Ren also provides vocals for "Comm. 2". Yella is the only member of N.W.A. who does not sing on any of the songs, though he performs on "Comm. Blues", "Comm. 2" and "The Grand Finalé" as a drummer.
No One Can Do It Better also features additional vocals by Krazy Dee (who also co-wrote the N.W.A song "Panic Zone" from N.W.A. and the Posse
), J. J. Fad
, Yomo & Maulkie
and Michel'le
, who were all part of Ruthless as well. Andre "L.A. Dre" Bolton and Stan "The Guitar Man" Jones, who play keyboards and guitar on some of the tracks respectively, also worked for the label.
Chris Rock
ranked No One Can Do It Better 11th on a 2005 list of the Top 25 Hip-Hop Albums ever.
Allmusic - "It's a shame that the D.O.C. never got the chance for a proper follow-up, but in No One Can Do It Better, he at least has one undeniable masterpiece."
RapReviews - "It's hard to adequately describe how much of an unbelievable pleasure it is to listen to "No One Can Do it Better," an album that not only exceeds the expectations anyone had for D.O.C. at the time but which goes down as an unqualified classic in the history of hip-hop."
In 1998, the album was listed in The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.
The D.O.C.
Tracy Lynn Curry , primarily known by his stage name The D.O.C., is an American rapper from Dallas, Texas. In addition to a solo career, he was a member of the hip hop group Fila Fresh Crew, and a creative force behind the gangsta rap group N.W.A, where he co-wrote many of their releases. He has...
's debut album, released on June 16, 1989. It reached number-one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
chart for two weeks, while peaking in the Top 20 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart. The album was certified gold by the RIAA three months after it was released, and platinum on April 21, 1994. This was the only solo album The D.O.C. was able to record before a car accident resulted in crushing his larynx
Larynx
The larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume...
, permanently changing his voice. He would not release another album until 7 years later, with Helter Skelter
Helter Skelter (album)
Helter Skelter is a 1996 album by The D.O.C., and was an attempt at making a comeback following the car crash which severely damaged his vocal cords. The album was widely ignored, and has even been discredited by D.O.C himself...
(1996).
Album information
Idolizing East Coast acts such as Run-D.M.C.Run-D.M.C.
Run–D.M.C. was an American hip hop group from Hollis, in the Queens borough of New York City. Founded by Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell, the group is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture.Run–D.M.C...
, The D.O.C. always showed more of a lyrical style, not talking about guns, drugs and violence. The album received a Parental Advisory
Parental Advisory
Parental Advisory is a message affixed by the Recording Industry Association of America to audio and recordings in the United States containing excessive use of profane language and/or sexual references. Albums began to be labeled for "explicit lyrics" in 1985, after pressure from the Parents...
sticker because of the final track on the album ("The Grand Finalé").
Most of the songs were influenced and sampled from funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
artists such as Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, Parliament
Parliament (band)
Parliament was a funk band most prominent during the 1970s. It and its sister act Funkadelic, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
, and Funkadelic
Funkadelic
Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
, but one track in particular was influenced by other genres, "Beautiful But Deadly", a rock-hip hop track, influenced by Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.
Run–D.M.C. was an American hip hop group from Hollis, in the Queens borough of New York City. Founded by Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell, the group is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture.Run–D.M.C...
with a heavy guitar riff throughout the song (it borrows from Funkadelic
Funkadelic
Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
's Cosmic Slop
Cosmic Slop
Cosmic Slop is the fifth studio album by Funkadelic, released in 1973 on Westbound Records. While it has been favorably reevaluated by critics long after its original release, the album was a commercial failure, producing no charting singles, and making only #112 on the Billboard albums...
).
All five then-current members of N.W.A contributed to this album. Beats were produced by Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, with Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
being the executive producer and DJ Yella
DJ Yella
DJ Yella is the stage name of Antoine Carraby , a DJ, drummer, music producer, film director and pornographer from Compton, California. He was a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru along with Dr. Dre. He later became a founding member of the pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A...
co-producing "The Grand Finalé". Dre, Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, MC Ren
MC Ren
Lorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:...
and Eazy all provide vocals for "The Grand Finalé", while Ren also provides vocals for "Comm. 2". Yella is the only member of N.W.A. who does not sing on any of the songs, though he performs on "Comm. Blues", "Comm. 2" and "The Grand Finalé" as a drummer.
No One Can Do It Better also features additional vocals by Krazy Dee (who also co-wrote the N.W.A song "Panic Zone" from N.W.A. and the Posse
N.W.A. and the Posse
N.W.A. and the Posse was a 1987 Macola Records release that compiled various Dr. Dre-produced tracks and was marketed as an album by N.W.A. It includes previously released tracks by N.W.A, Eazy-E, the Fila Fresh Crew, and Rappinstine. The cover photo is the same as N.W.A's "Panic Zone" single and...
), J. J. Fad
J. J. Fad
J. J. Fad is an American rap group from Rialto, California, whose name initially stood for Just, Jammin', Fresh And Def, and were backed by Clarence "DJ Train" Lars.-Supersonic:...
, Yomo & Maulkie
Yomo & Maulkie
Yomo & Maulkie were a hardcore hip hop duo that was associated with the members of N.W.A.., although the duo was not a gangsta group. Instead, its lyrics hewed more toward Public Enemy's political style. Both Yomo and Maulkie came from Los Angeles, where the duo signed with Ruthless Records, the...
and Michel'le
Michel'le
Michel'le Toussant better known as Michel'le, is an American R&B singer-songwriter known for her squeaky, child-like speaking voice, which is a startling contrast to her strong vocals.-Career:...
, who were all part of Ruthless as well. Andre "L.A. Dre" Bolton and Stan "The Guitar Man" Jones, who play keyboards and guitar on some of the tracks respectively, also worked for the label.
Reception
No One Can Do It Better was praised by most music critics.Chris Rock
Chris Rock
Christopher Julius "Chris" Rock III is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director. He was voted in the US as the 5th greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central...
ranked No One Can Do It Better 11th on a 2005 list of the Top 25 Hip-Hop Albums ever.
Allmusic - "It's a shame that the D.O.C. never got the chance for a proper follow-up, but in No One Can Do It Better, he at least has one undeniable masterpiece."
RapReviews - "It's hard to adequately describe how much of an unbelievable pleasure it is to listen to "No One Can Do it Better," an album that not only exceeds the expectations anyone had for D.O.C. at the time but which goes down as an unqualified classic in the history of hip-hop."
In 1998, the album was listed in The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.
Track listing
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Performer(s) | Composer(s) | Sample(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "It's Funky Enough It's Funky Enough "It's Funky Enough" was first single by American rapper, The D.O.C., from his 1989 debut album, No One Can Do It Better.-Background:The song was produced by Dr. Dre and samples "Misdemeanor" by Foster Sylvers. The song has appeared on many video games such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, True... " |
Dr. Dre Dr. Dre Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records... |
The D.O.C. | Tracy Curry Andre Young |
Foster Sylvers Foster Sylvers Foster Emerson Sylvers is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist... - "Misdemeanor" Lightnin' Rod - "Brother Hominy Grit", James Brown James Brown James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr... - "It's a New Day (Live)" "N.W.A. N.W.A. N.W.A was an American hip hop group from Compton, California, widely considered one of the seminal acts of the gangsta rap sub-genre.... " - 8 Ball" |
| 2 | "Mind Blowin'" | Dr. Dre | The D.O.C. | Tracy Curry Andre Young |
Melvin Bliss - "Synthetic Substitution", Heatwave Heatwave (band) Heatwave was an international funk/disco musical band featuring Americans Johnnie Wilder, Jr. and Keith Wilder of Dayton, Ohio, Englishman Rod Temperton , Swiss Mario Mantese , Czechoslovak Ernest "Bilbo" Berger , Jamaican Eric Johns and Briton Roy Carter .They were known for their successful... - "Mind Blowin' Decisions", Honey Drippers - "Impeach the President", Sly & The Family Stone Sly & the Family Stone Sly and the Family Stone were an American rock, funk, and soul band from San Francisco, California. Active from 1966 to 1983, the band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music... - "I Want to Take You Higher", Roy Ayers Roy Ayers Roy Ayers is an American funk, soul, and jazz composer and vibraphone player. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure at Polydor Records beginning in the 1970s, during which he helped pioneer jazz-funk .- Biography :Ayers... - "Boogie Back", Kool Moe Dee Kool Moe Dee Mohandas Dewese , better known as Kool Moe Dee, is an American Hip Hop MC prominent in the late 1970s through the early 1990s. He was born in Manhattan, New York... - "Go See The Doctor" |
| 3 | "Lend Me an Ear" | Dr. Dre | The D.O.C. | Tracy Curry Andre Young |
Eddie Bo Eddie Bo Edwin Joseph Bocage was an American singer and New Orleans-style pianist. Schooled in jazz, he was known for his blues, soul and funk recordings, compositions, productions and arrangements... - "Hook and Sling" Lyn Collins Lyn Collins Lyn Collins was an African American soul singer best known for working with James Brown in the 1970s. Contrary to some reports, she is not related to Bootsy Collins, nor Catfish Collins.... - "Think (About It) Think (About It) "Think " is a funk song recorded by Lyn Collins and released as a single on James Brown's People Records in 1972. The recording was produced by Brown and featured instrumental backing from his band The J.B.'s... " |
| 4 | "Comm. Blues" | Dr. Dre | The D.O.C., Michel'le Michel'le Michel'le Toussant better known as Michel'le, is an American R&B singer-songwriter known for her squeaky, child-like speaking voice, which is a startling contrast to her strong vocals.-Career:... |
Tracy Curry Andre Young |
|
| 5 | "Let the Bass Go" | Dr. Dre | The D.O.C. | Tracy Curry Andre Young |
James Brown James Brown James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr... - "Funky Drummer Funky drummer "Funky Drummer" is a funk song recorded by James Brown and his band. The recording's drum break, performed by drummer Clyde Stubblefield, is one of the most frequently sampled rhythmic breaks in hip hop and popular music; indeed, it lays a strong claim to being the most sampled recording ever,... " Isaac Hayes Isaac Hayes Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the... - "No Name Bar" The Beastie Boys - "The New Style" |
| 6 | "Beautiful But Deadly" | Dr. Dre | The D.O.C. | Tracy Curry Andre Young |
Funkadelic Funkadelic Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:... - "Cosmic Slop" Syl Johnson Syl Johnson Syl Johnson is an American blues and soul singer and record producer.-Biography:Born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, United States, Johnson sang and played with blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and Howlin' Wolf in the 1950s, before recording with Jimmy Reed... - "Different Strokes" |
| 7 | "The D.O.C. & the Doctor" | Dr. Dre | The D.O.C. | Tracy Curry Andre Young |
Funkadelic Funkadelic Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:... - "Good Old Music" |
| 8 | "No One Can Do It Better" | Dr. Dre | The D.O.C. | Tracy Curry Andre Young |
|
| 9 | "Whirlwind Pyramid" | Dr. Dre | The D.O.C. | Tracy Curry Andre Young |
Parliament Parliament (band) Parliament was a funk band most prominent during the 1970s. It and its sister act Funkadelic, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:... - "Getting to Know You" Yellow Sunshine - "Yellow Sunshine" |
| 10 | "Comm. 2" | Dr. Dre | The D.O.C., MC Ren MC Ren Lorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:... |
Tracy Curry Andre Young |
B.T. Express B.T. Express B.T. Express was an American funk/disco group, that had a number of successful songs during the 1970s.-Career:... - "If it Don't Turn You on (You Outta Leave it Alone)", Sly & The Family Stone - "If You Want Me to Stay" |
| 11 | "The Formula" | Dr. Dre | The D.O.C., Dr. Dre Dr. Dre Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records... |
Tracy Curry Andre Young |
Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range.... - "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" |
| 12 | "Portrait of a Master Piece" | Dr. Dre | The D.O.C. | Tracy Curry Andre Young |
Fred Wesley and the J.B.’s The J.B.'s The J.B.'s were James Brown's band during the first half of the 1970s. On record the J.B.'s were sometimes billed under various alternate names such as The James Brown Soul Train, Maceo and the Macks, A.A.B.B., The First Family and The Last Word... - "Blow Your Head", Teddy Pendergrass Teddy Pendergrass Theodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendergrass was an American R&B/soul singer and songwriter. Pendergrass first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in the 1970s before a successful solo career at the end of the decade... - "You Can't Hide from Yourself", Charles Earland Charles Earland Charles Earland was an American jazz composer, organist, and saxophonist in the soul jazz idiom.-Biography:... - "Intergalactic Love Song" |
| 13 | "The Grand Finalé" | Dr. Dre, DJ Yella DJ Yella DJ Yella is the stage name of Antoine Carraby , a DJ, drummer, music producer, film director and pornographer from Compton, California. He was a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru along with Dr. Dre. He later became a founding member of the pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A... |
The D.O.C, N.W.A | Tracy Curry, Lorenzo Patterson, O'Shea Jackson | Parliament Parliament (band) Parliament was a funk band most prominent during the 1970s. It and its sister act Funkadelic, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:... - "Chocolate City" |
Cut Tracks
- "Bridgette" - cut from the album because of the sexual content, later released on the Dr. DreDr. DreAndre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
bootleg First Round Knock OutFirst Round Knock OutFirst Round Knock Out is a compilation by rapper/producer, Dr. Dre. The album was released in 1996 for Triple X Records and was mostly produced by Dr. Dre, as well as Cold 187um and Chris "The Glove" Taylor, who produced one song each . Artists featured on the album include Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg,...
Singles
| Single information |
|---|
"The D.O.C. & the Doctor"
|
| "It's Funky Enough It's Funky Enough "It's Funky Enough" was first single by American rapper, The D.O.C., from his 1989 debut album, No One Can Do It Better.-Background:The song was produced by Dr. Dre and samples "Misdemeanor" by Foster Sylvers. The song has appeared on many video games such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, True... " |
| "The Formula"
|
| "Mind Blowin'"
|
Chart positions
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
20 |
| Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | 1 |