• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Login/ Register
  • Editorial Team
  • Get Involved

Exeposé Online

Making the headlines since 1987

Exeposé Online
  • Home
  • News
      • Local
      • COVID-19
      • University News
  • Comment
  • Features
      • National
      • Worldwide
      • Politics
      • Interviews
  • Science
      • News
      • Lite Science
      • Common Misconceptions
      • Environment
      • Health
      • Technology
  • Sport
  • Lifestyle
      • Fashion and Beauty
      • Features
      • Food
      • Wellbeing
      • Sustainability
  • Music
      • Interviews
      • Features
      • Live Reviews
      • Album Reviews
      • Single Reviews
  • Screen
      • Reviews
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Festivals and Awards
  • Arts + Lit
      • Interviews
      • Features
      • Reviews
      • Creative Writing
  • Amplify
  • International
  • Multilingual
  • News
  • Comment
  • Features
  • Science
  • Sport
  • Lifestyle
  • Music
  • Screen
  • Arts + Lit
  • Amplify
  • International
  • Multilingual
Home / Music

Live Review: An Orchestral Rendition of Dr. Dre @ Exeter Phoenix

Society has often pitted hip-hop and classical music against each other as opposites. One is a genre with a reputation for lyrical prowess and sampling, the other is known primarily for its instrumental innovation and supposed stuffiness. But what happens when you committedly put the two together? Orchestral renditions of hip-hop and R&B legends have grown increasingly popular across the country. You may have even seen them advertised on Facebook with the likes of Kanye West, Frank Ocean, and Drake. So, you could imagine my excitement when it was announced that an orchestral rendition of Dr. Dre’s 2001 was coming to the Exeter Phoenix.

Dr. Dre is a musician whose legend is tangled with genius and controversy. From his role in establishing G-Funk to his mentoring of Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre is one of the most influential and important producers in hip-hop’s history, make no mistake. And his 1999 effort 2001, while perhaps mildly less critically acclaimed than The Chronic, was a huge commercial success, going platinum six times in the US. Yet it is important to remember his controversy as well, especially his history of accusations of violence against women. Celebrating Dr. Dre was certainly an interesting choice considering journalist and rapper Dee Barnes, who he was once accused of assaulting, recently faced homelessness.

Dr. Dre is a musician whose legend is tangled with genius and controversy

The beginning of the night did not necessarily meet my expectations: the room filled up slowly. The supporting act Lexy P, who was also the main MC for the night, had the job of hyping the sparse audience. But his set, primarily call and response, did nothing to fill me with excitement. But then I suppose it must be very hard to hype a room that is about as full as an end-of-term lecture. Thankfully, the audience had arrived by the time the orchestra took to the stage.

Lexy P said something very important during his supporting set: “this is a Dr. Dre Convention”. He wasn’t wrong; instead of going through 2001 as a chronological set, there were many diversions into Dre’s west-coast contributions – a rendition of ‘Nuthin’ But a G Thang’ was especially fun to listen to – and perhaps more Eminem than was necessary. The night began with a classical piece that suddenly twisted into ‘The Watcher’, and the band moved seamlessly through the set. Classics like ‘Forgot about Dre’ and ‘The Next Episode’ received a wild response from the crowd, but standout moments like ‘What’s The Difference’ saw the orchestra thrive.

instead of going through 2001 as a chronological set, there were many diversions into Dre’s west-coast contributions

The orchestra’s chemistry was undeniable. At the very beginning of the set, the pianist pointed out that the stage was full of some of the greatest musicians in the world, and dare I say they lived up to this grand statement. The string section was particularly strong; in a brief classical detour, there was an especially virtuosic violin solo. But it didn’t detract from the all-important hip-hop being recreated that night. The audience lapped up its refreshing informality.

The night ended with ‘California Love’, and it was clear that this was less a celebration of one album, and more an ode to West Coast brilliance. Everyone there wanted to see Dr. Dre’s production prowess come to life, and I doubt that anyone left disappointed.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

May 19, 2019 By Bryony Gooch Filed Under: Music, Live Reviews Tagged With: orchestra, Hip Hop, West Coast, Dr. Dre

Primary Sidebar

exeposemusic

Keeping you up to date with Exeter's music.
Print Editors: @bry.kg & Richard Ainslie
Online Editors: @megfrost_ & @stephenenwei
music@exepose.com

Last week, on a crisp September morning in Idaho F Last week, on a crisp September morning in Idaho Falls, Idaho, TikTok user 420doggface208 put Fleetwood Mac back on the charts with nothing more than a phone, a longboard and a bottle of Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry juice. That’s a baffling sentence let alone idea. But once you watch a viral video of a man cruising down a slip road, sipping on juice and lip syncing to Stevie Nicks, it makes perfect sense.

Check out the rest of Max Ingleby’s article on TikTok music online now!
Check out the review of hip-hop duo Run the Jewels Check out the review of hip-hop duo Run the Jewels’ latest record, by @_will.thornton_
@aaronloose reviews indie icon Phoebe Bridgers’ @aaronloose reviews indie icon Phoebe Bridgers’ sophomore album online now! Check it out!
Online Lifestyle Editor Elinor Jones reviews one o Online Lifestyle Editor Elinor Jones reviews one of Frank Turner’s Facebook live gigs and discusses the importance of musicians supporting small venues during the pandemic in a new article online now! 🎸
Print Music Editor @bridiehazelaa reviews Lady Gag Print Music Editor @bridiehazelaa reviews Lady Gaga’s latest album - check it out online now!
Have a read of the review of the BBC’s attempt a Have a read of the review of the BBC’s attempt at a zoom-radio festival by @xharry_ online now!
Check out the interview with @frankiejonesmusic no Check out the interview with @frankiejonesmusic now up online, by print music editor @bridiehazelaa 🤩🖤
@bry.kg has reviewed Fiona Apple’s new album, ta @bry.kg has reviewed Fiona Apple’s new album, take a look on our website and have a read🤩
Print Music Editor @bridiehazelaa interviews @_ech Print Music Editor @bridiehazelaa interviews @_echohotel_ in the next of the Up and Comers series, on our website now!
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Tweets by Exeposé Music

Contact Us: editors@exepose.com

Since 1987, Exeposé has given a voice to Exeter students. Over the years, the determination and political fervour exhibited by students through Exeposé have helped shape the University we study at today. We have received national recognition for our award-winning campaigns, investigations and surveys, and always strive to provide students with high-quality news, comment and features.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in articles and comments do not reflect the views of Exeposé Online or the University of Exeter Student's Guild.

        


© 2021
Website design: Harry Caton and Ellie Cook
Webdesign & development: Harry Caton