Dr. Dre’s ‘The Chronic’ added to Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry
Tina Turner’s ‘Private Dancer’ and Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” have also been added.
Dr. Dre’s 1992 solo debut album The Chronic will now stand the test of time as an addition to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. According to a press release published on Wednesday (March 25), the Librarian of Congress and the Library’s National Recording Preservation Board have selected The Chronic and 24 other recordings “worthy of preservation” to be added to the prestigious archives.
“The National Recording Registry is the evolving playlist of the American soundscape. It reflects moments in history captured through the voices and sounds of the time,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in the release.
A select 25 recordings that are both over 10 years old and “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” are added to the National Recordings Registry each year.
“We received over 800 nominations this year for culturally, historically or aesthetically significant recordings to add to the registry,” Hayden continued in the release. “As genres and formats continue to expand, the Library of Congress is committed to working with our many partners to preserve the sounds that have touched our hearts and shaped our culture.”
The release notes The Chronic’s defining influence in making G-funk a trademark sound of West Coast hip hop, writing that the album “solidified the West Coast’s dominance of the genre” and that its “influence would be heard for years to come.” The Chronic is also credited with jump-starting the careers of several California greats, including Snoop Dogg, Dazs Dillinger, Kurupt, Nate Dogg and Warren G. Elsewhere in the release, the Library of Congress describes the album as “one of the most important and influential albums of the 1990’s” and possibly the “most well-produced hip hop album of all time.”
Other 2019 inductees include Tina Turner’s 1984 album Private Dancer, Selena’s 1990 album Ven Conmigo, Whitney Houston’s single “I Will Always Love You” and the Village People’s hit “Y.M.C.A.”