Jump to content

The D.O.C.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Alex 101 (talk | contribs) at 01:59, 4 August 2011 (→Accident and aftermath (1989–2009)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The D.O.C.
Birth nameTracy Lynn Curry
Also known asDoc-T, Diggy Doc
OriginCompton,California, U.S.
GenresHip hop,gangsta rap
Occupation(s)Rapper, songwriter, vocalist
Years active1986–present
LabelsRuthless, Death Row, Giant, Silverback

Tracy Lynn Curry (born June 10, 1968), 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.

Music career

Early career (1986–1989)

Curry began his career as a member of Fila Fresh Crew, a hip hop group that was originally based in Dallas, Texas. While in the group, The D.O.C was known as Doc-T. The group had four tracks featured on the compilation album N.W.A. and the Posse, which was released in 1987 and featured various other artists. The same four tracks would later appear on the groups album Tuffest Man Alive, released in 1988. The group disbanded shortly after its release, however.

After leaving the Fila Fresh Crew, Doc-T moved to Los Angeles, and changed his stage name to The D.O.C.. He contributed lyrics and vocals to N.W.A.'s debut album, Straight Outta Compton and to Eazy E's debut, Eazy-Duz-It. In 1989, The D.O.C. released his Dr. Dre-produced debut album, No One Can Do It Better. The album was very well received by critics, and sold very well, peaking at #20 on the Billboard 200, eventually going platinum.[1] 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".

Accident and aftermath (1989–2009)

Not long after his debut album was released, in November 1989, The D.O.C was involved in a near-fatal car accident. 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 2 1/2 weeks in the hospital. He couldn't speak for about a month, and he was left with a different, raspier voice.[2]

However, The D.O.C. remained important to N.W.A; he continued to write for the group and contributed lyrics to their final album Niggaz4life and their 1990 EP 100 Miles and Runnin'. Dr. Dre also used his talents as one of the writers for his debut solo album The Chronic, contributing to the tracks "Lil' Ghetto Boy," "A Nigga Witta Gun," 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 as well. 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 my nigga D.O.C., still makin' it funky enough").

In addition to The Chronic, The D.O.C. worked on Snoop Dogg's debut album Doggystyle, and added some vocals on the song "Serial Killa". The D.O.C continued to be a ghostwriter for various songs on Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg albums.

The Dr. Dre song "What's the Difference?" from the album 2001 features the following lyrics, sung by Dre:

Back when Cube - was rollin wit Lorenzo in a Benzo I was bangin wit a gang of instrumentals, got the pens and pencils, got down to business; but sometimes the business end of this shit can turn your friends against you - but you was a real nigga, I could sense it in you - I still remember the window of the car that you went through, that's fucked up - But I'll never forget the shit we been through, and I'ma do whatever it takes to convince you, cuz you my nigga D.O.C.

Surgery and Current Business (2009–present)

According to a 2009 interview, Snoop Dogg assisted The D.O.C. in seeking a voice therapist. It was found that The D.O.C.'s vocal cords are not irreparably severed or crushed, and that his voice could still be surgically restored by up to 70%. As such, LA-Based Publicist, Idalyze Nasiha Rose, has assisted him in finding a surgeon who will repair his vocal cords.[3] The D.O.C. is currently undergoing final tests before the surgery takes place, which may or may not be televised.

There is a great deal of buzz about The D.O.C.'s documentary film about the early days of The D.O.C. and presumably his accident, drug addiction and road to recovery. The D.O.C. is writing a book about his experiences on Ruthless Records & Death Row Records, his vocal surgery and subsequent recovery.

The D.O.C. will be making one of many trips to Barcelona to meet with Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, who will discuss the first part of the procedure on restoring D.O.C.'s voice which will take place at the world-renowned doctor's clinic in Florence, Italy. The D.O.C will have his film crew with him.

In 2011, The D.O.C. rejoined forces with his long time business partner—entertainment and digital media entrepreneur John "Tech" Huffman—to start a company called DOC Ventures (DOCv). DOC and Tech are also class A shareholders and executive producers of HipHopDraft in America presents "I Got My Voice Back".

Personal life

Although The D.O.C. has never been married, he dated Erykah Badu for several years. Together they have a daughter named Puma, born on July 5, 2004.[4]

Media appearances

Discography

Main article: The D.O.C. discography
Studio albums

References

  1. ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r27736
  2. ^ The D.O.C. Finds His Own Voice : Pop Beat: A 1989 auto accident could have ended his career but today the rapper's back with a new sound.
  3. ^ http://twitter.com/WESTCOASTDOC/status/1898171704
  4. ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1279136/
  5. ^ dubcnn.com // The D.O.C. Interview (Part 2) (May 2008) // West Coast News Network //

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_D.O.C.&oldid=442943246"