The D.O.C. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The D.O.C.
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The D.O.C. in 2016
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Tracy Lynn Curry |
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| Born | June 10, 1968 West Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1987–present |
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Tracy Lynn Curry (born June 10, 1968), known as the D.O.C., is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is from Dallas, Texas.
He was part of the group Fila Fresh Crew. Later, he helped write songs for the famous group N.W.A and Eazy-E. He also worked with producer Dr. Dre. The D.O.C. helped write Dr. Dre's first solo album, The Chronic. Dr. Dre produced the D.O.C.'s own first album, No One Can Do It Better (1989).
In 1991, the D.O.C. helped start Death Row Records. This record label signed big artists like Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg.
After Fila Fresh Crew broke up in 1988, the D.O.C. started his solo career. His album No One Can Do It Better was very popular. It reached number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart. Two songs from the album, "It's Funky Enough" and "The D.O.C. & The Doctor", became number one hits on the Hot Rap Songs chart.
Soon after his album came out, the D.O.C. had a serious car accident. This accident permanently changed his voice. He released two more albums after this: Helter Skelter in 1996 and Deuce in 2003. In 2015, his natural voice returned.
At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, the D.O.C. received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He shared this award with N.W.A. members Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Tracy Lynn Curry was born on June 10, 1968, in Dallas, Texas. When he was a teenager, Curry started his music career. He joined a hip hop group called Fila Fresh Crew. This group was also from Dallas. While in the group, Curry was known as Doc-T.
Music Career Highlights
Fila Fresh Crew's Early Work
In 1987, Fila Fresh Crew had four songs on a collection album called N.W.A and the Posse. This album featured many different artists. The same four songs later appeared on Fila Fresh Crew's own album, Tuffest Man Alive, released in 1988. The group broke up soon after this album came out. By then, Curry had moved to Los Angeles. He met members of N.W.A and people from Ruthless Records.
Joining Ruthless Records and First Solo Album
Curry started using the name the D.O.C. after he signed with Eazy-E's Ruthless Records. The D.O.C. wrote lyrics for N.W.A's first album, Straight Outta Compton. He also performed the first part of the song "Parental Discretion Iz Advised". Curry also wrote for Eazy-E's first solo album, Eazy-Duz-It. He helped write a song for Michel'le's first album too.
In 1989, the D.O.C. released his first solo album, No One Can Do It Better. Dr. Dre produced this album. Critics really liked the album, and it sold very well. It reached number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart. By 1994, the album had sold over a million copies. Music critics called it an "early landmark of West Coast Rap" and a "masterpiece". No One Can Do It Better had five singles and five music videos.
Car Accident and Moving to Death Row Records
In November 1989, just five months after his album came out, the D.O.C. was in a serious car accident. He was driving home and fell asleep. His car went off the road. He was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the car. This accident caused serious injuries to his face and voice. He could not speak for about a month. His voice became different and raspier.
The D.O.C. continued to write for N.W.A. He helped write songs for their 1990 album 100 Miles and Runnin'. He also worked on their final album, Niggaz4Life.
In 1991, the D.O.C. left Ruthless Records. He joined Death Row Records with Dr. Dre and Michel'le. He helped Dr. Dre create his famous album The Chronic. The D.O.C. is mentioned by name in the song "Nuthin' but a G Thang". He also appears in the song's music video. The album notes for The Chronic thank the D.O.C. for encouraging Dr. Dre to make the album.
Besides The Chronic, the D.O.C. also worked on Snoop Dogg's first album, Doggystyle. He provided some vocals on the song "Serial Killa". The D.O.C. often wrote songs for Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg without getting public credit.
Starting Silverback Records and Later Albums
In 1997, the D.O.C. started his own record label called Silverback Records in Dallas. He introduced a Dallas rapper named 6Two to Dr. Dre. 6Two was featured on Dr. Dre's 1999 album 2001. The D.O.C. also wrote lyrics for that album. In 2000, the D.O.C. performed on stage with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg during the Up in Smoke Tour.
In 2003, the D.O.C. released his third album, Deuce, on Silverback Records. The D.O.C.'s presence on this album is small. He mostly introduces tracks or performs in short skits. Deuce mainly features other artists from his Silverback Records label, like U.P.-T.I.G.H.T., El Dorado, and 6Two.
Recent Music and Voice Recovery
The D.O.C. wrote lyrics for Snoop Dogg's album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. In 2006, he said he was working on his fourth album, Voices Through Hot Vessels. He planned to release it after Dr. Dre's album Detox. However, Detox was never released. Instead, Dr. Dre released Compton in 2015.
After the movie Straight Outta Compton came out, the D.O.C. shared that his natural voice had returned. He said he could record new music, but he wasn't ready to release it yet. The D.O.C. also said he helped write Dr. Dre's album Compton.
In 2022, he worked with a new group called Codefendants. This group combines punk and rap music. He was featured on their song "The Fast Ones". This was the first new recording with the D.O.C. in 19 years.
Appearances in Media
- He appeared in Shyne's music video for the song "That's Gangsta".
- He was in the documentary We From Dallas (2014). This film tells the history of hip hop in Dallas.
- The D.O.C. is played by actor Marlon Yates Jr. in the 2015 N.W.A movie Straight Outta Compton.
- He appeared in the TV series The Defiant Ones (2017). This series explores the relationship between Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre.
- He made an appearance in an episode of the series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022).
Music Albums
Studio Albums
- No One Can Do It Better (1989)
- Helter Skelter (1996)
- Deuce (2003)
Collaboration Albums
- N.W.A. and the Posse (with N.W.A) (1987)
- Tuffest Man Alive (with Fila Fresh Crew) (1988)
Movies
- Gasoline Alley (2022)
- Carmen (2022)
See also
In Spanish: The D.O.C. para niños
