While The Chronic defined the G-funk era, 2001 marked a clear evolution. Dre largely moved away from the signature, Parliament-Funkadelic-inspired synth sounds of his earlier work and adopted a more cinematic, polished, and hard-hitting production style. The album is characterized by:
Originally intended to be a mixtape or a conceptual project titled Chronic 2000 , the album was renamed 2001 after Death Row Records rushed out a competing compilation using the original title. Dr. Dre took this disrespect as fuel. He locked himself in the studio to craft an album that would not just match the legacy of his 1992 debut, The Chronic , but completely redefine the sonic standards of modern music. The Sonic Architecture: Why '2001' Sounds Perfect
The Legacy of Dr. Dre’s ‘2001’: Why This Masterpiece Is Worth More Than a Free Download