For anyone unfamiliar with the name The D.O.C, you’d be forgiven for not maybe knowing, as he has not always been given the credit he deserves. He’s a man who’s contributed to numerous albums tallying over 30 million dollars in sales. He’s rarely seen, heard or given credit for, and at this moment, is about to enter the auditorium for his first ever speaking tour. The anticipation was thick like a cloud, and it had a dash of mystery to it.
So what would the night hold? It held every The D.O.C fans dream and more. While The D.O.C stands as an imposing figure at well over 6 foot, he gave you nothing but friendly and humble vibes. This was his first ever speaking tour too, so I guess he might as been as nervous as us (but if he was he didn’t show it). He made everyone sitting in the packed JMC Academy auditorium feel as though they were amongst friends having a easy and personal chat. I guess in someway we all were, as we were all brought together by music. The conversation continued over a few hours, (but really only felt like a few minutes). It reminded me of sitting down with a loved one you haven’t seen for years, just chilling and chatting – losing track of the time. This was the man who had been writing for and hanging around so many great artists I idolise like 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Daz, Warren G, Eazy-E, Dr Dre, Ice Cube, WC, Mack 10, DJ Quik, Mc Breed and list goes on and on. It was all pretty surreal.
If you listen to hip hop, you’d have heard his lyrics coming out the mouths of legends such as Eazy-E, Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg. Making a name for himself as a tennageer as a great writer and rapper in his home town of Dallas, already established and making waves before an introduction that would change his life and career- meeting Dr Dre. Where he was literally dropped straight into the middle of Compton.
Gang tensions between the Bloods and Crips was getting hotter and hotter at this time. Being in a more violent environment than he was used to in his native Dallas, he concentrated on his artform, choosing to avoid any conflict. It’s here he helped create Eazy-E’s his first radio friendly single, after the surprising success of Eazy-E’s “Boyz N Tha Hood”. He succeeded with “We Want Eazy”. Which was able to get the ball rolling and have people start to pay attention to who he was.
He then went onto write songs for N.W.A’s Debut classic “Straight Outta Compton”. Any free time he had was spent with Dr Dre working on tracks together. The result of this collaboration was The D.O.C’s Debut album and hip hop classic “No One Can Do It Better”. It included classic hits like “D.O.C & The Doctor”, “It’s Funky Enough” and “The Formula”. The D.O.C enjoyed the success in a time where it would feel like him and his crew were untouchable. Partying and to excess, and one night and bad decision which would change his life as he knew it. A big night of alcohol and drugs – led to the not so smart decision to drive while under the influence. No good come of this, resulting with The D.O.C being slingshot through the window and smacked into a tree. Lucky to survive this experience, in what was required to save his life, the Drs pushed aside his vocal chords and his platinum sounding voice would never sound the same.
No longer able to make it as a rapper in the industry, The D.O.C still managed to overcome the challenges he was met with, rather shifting his skills and talents to behind the scenes and as a ghostwriter (and I believe, the best the industry is yet to see). He’d go on to write songs for the Classic Dr Dre album “The Chronic.” as well mentor and guide a young Snoop Dogg; teaching him the art of songwriting and formulating a song. He released two albums featuring guest vocalists, as his passion and skill for knowing what worked were integral to the industry and sound we are familiar with. He continued to work with Dr Dre (when they can agree creatively on projects), and he he founded “Doc Ventures”, where he discovered Songwriter, Rapper and Singer “Justus”.
The D.O.C would share his story of the car accident, about his personal struggles with drugs and alcohol, and how that affected his career and the direction his life went in. It was quite a journey for his. You tell he was happiest talking about his 2 daughters and son who he was extremely proud of (which was also a display of his humility). He warned any in the audience who were aspiring artists about the traps you might meet within the industry – Drugs, Alcohol and Ego. The D.O.C told of a bad publishing rights deals that gave credit for his songs to the artists that performed them, (meaning he received no money for the first few years, despite millions of album sales) There were dark moments, but he keeps his faith in God and thanks him for any blessings he gets.
It really was a great night and moment, I was fortunate to be in the same room, shake the hand of, and get to listen to The D.O.C. A man whose career I was familiar with, and was very keen to see at this event. If you ever get the chance to see The D.O.C, don’t hesitate. You’ll likely be as mesmerized as I was. His stories and knowledge are more than most can dream of, and if you see him, you will lucky enough to soak some of that up!
Reviewed and written by Matthew Rea. Matthew was the winner of our competition to win a double pass to see The D.O.C and asked if he wouldn’t mind putting down a few words for us. We’re glad we had someone go along who was passionate about the artist and scene as you can see for yourself right here he gave us the goods. Thanks Matthew!
Thanks to the team at JMC Academy for the free tickets which we gave away online to a deserving winner!