An album titled No One Can Do It Better from an artist relatively unknown to the mainstream might sound like typical hip-hop bravado, but in this case, the claim holds weight. The D.O.C. is one of the most iconic “what could have been” stories in hip-hop history. Before releasing his debut in 1989, he was already a behind-the-scenes force, ghostwriting for N.W.A. and shaping the very foundation of West Coast rap. His album, produced entirely by Dr. Dre, showcased razor-sharp lyricism and airtight delivery, earning critical acclaim and peaking at No. 20 on the Billboard 200. His trajectory seemed destined for superstardom.
Instead, fate had other plans.
Just months after his debut dropped, a near-fatal car accident crushed his larynx, leaving his voice permanently damaged and cutting his solo career short. Though his rap career was derailed, his pen remained lethal—he played a pivotal role in the rise of Death Row Records, co-founding the label alongside Dr. Dre and Suge Knight, and helping shape the careers of Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur. His influence on gangsta rap was so profound that Dick Griffey, CEO of SOLAR Records, once said, “The D.O.C. was the guy that came up with those great stories. He was probably the single most influential person in gangsta rap.” Yet, like many legendary ghostwriters before him, he remains overshadowed by the voices he helped amplify. And while the world never got to see the full potential of The D.O.C. as a solo artist, his fingerprints are all over hip-hop history.
Standout Songs: “It’s Funky Enough”, “D.O.C. AND THE DOCTOR”, “The Formula”, “Portrait of a Master Piece”
