The D.O.C.

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Lore & Background

After the disbandment of Fila Fresh Crew in 1988, Curry promptly began recording solo work. No One Can Do It Better peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and spawned two number 1 songs on the Hot Rap Songs chart: "It's Funky Enough" and "The D.O.C. & The Doctor". Shortly after the album's release, on November 14, 1989, Curry suffered a severe car crash that permanently changed his voice. Driving home from a party, he fell asleep at the wheel and his car veered off the freeway. Curry, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown out the rear window, slamming face-first into a tree. His injuries required 21 hours of plastic surgery, and he spent 2½ weeks in the hospital. He could not speak for about a month, and he was left with a different, raspier voice. In a 2015 interview with DJ Vlad, Curry stated that he was under the influence of alcohol and cannabis and was actually pulled over before the accident but the police let him go.

In Their Own Story

In 1991, the D.O.C. left Ruthless Records along with Dr. Dre and Michel'le to sign with newly founded Death Row Records. The D.O.C. was one of the writers for Dr. Dre's first solo album The Chronic, contributing to the tracks "Nuthin' but a G Thang", "Lil' Ghetto Boy", "A Nigga Witta Gun", "Lyrical Gangbang" and "Bitches Ain't Shit". He also appeared on the skit track "The $20 Sack Pyramid". He is referenced by name in "Nuthin' but a G Thang", and appears in the song's video. The liner notes to The Chronic say, "I want to give a special shout out to The D.O.C. for talking me into doin' this album." His name is mentioned by Snoop Dogg in the intro of the album. ("Peace to da D.O.C., still makin' it funky enough"). The D.O.C. worked on Snoop Dogg's first album Doggystyle, and added some vocals on the song "Serial Killa". In 1996, the D.O.C. attempted a comeback following the car crash which severely damaged his vocal cords. The album, titled Helter Skelter, produced two singles with music videos. In 2003, the D.O.C. released his third album entitled Deuce on Silverback Records. At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, Curry won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award along with N.W.A., alongside Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella.

Reader's Guide

The D.O.C. was born Tracy Lynn Curry on June 10, 1968, in Dallas, Texas. As a teenager, Curry began his career as a member of Fila Fresh Crew, a hip-hop trio. While in the group, Curry was known as Doc-T. In 1987, Fila Fresh Crew had four songs featured on the compilation album N.W.A and the Posse. Curry began using the name the D.O.C. after he was signed to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records. He contributed lyrics to N.W.A's first album, Straight Outta Compton (1989), and performed the opening verse on "Parental Discretion Iz Advised". Curry also wrote for Eazy-E's first album, Eazy-Duz-It (1988) and co-wrote "Keep Watchin'" from Michel'le's debut album Michel'le (1989). In 1989, the D.O.C. released his solo debut, the Dr. Dre–produced No One Can Do It Better. The album peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200 for two consecutive weeks; by 1994, the album reached Platinum status. Allmusic gives the album a five-star rating and describes it as "an early landmark of West Coast Rap" as well as "an undeniable masterpiece". No One Can Do It Better produced five singles and five music videos. Since his accident, he has released two more albums, Helter Skelter in 1996 and Deuce in 2003. In 2022, he collaborated with Codefendants on a track called "The Fast Ones", which was featured on their debut album, This Is Crime Wave. This marked the first new recording featuring D.O.C. in 19 years.

Did You Know?

• After his 1989 car crash, he required 21 hours of plastic surgery and spent 2½ weeks in the hospital.
• His debut album No One Can Do It Better is rated five stars by Allmusic and described as 'an early landmark of West Coast Rap'.
• The D.O.C. was known as Doc-T when he was a member of the Fila Fresh Crew.