The Next Episode Explained

The Next Episode
Cover:	Dre - Next Episode.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg
Album:	2001
B-Side:	Bad Guys Always Die
Released:	July 4, 2000
Recorded:	1999
Genre:	Gangsta rap
Length:	2:41
Chronology:	Dr. Dre
Prev Title:	Forgot About Dre
Prev Year:	2000
Next Title:	Hello
Next Year:	2000

"The Next Episode" is a single by American rapper-producer Dr. Dre, released in 2000 as the third single from his second studio album, 2001 (1999). The track features Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, and Nate Dogg, but only Snoop Dogg is credited. It is a sequel to Dre and Snoop's famous single "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" from the former's debut album, The Chronic.

The song peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song has been performed live numerous times by both Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Notable performances include the 2000 Up in Smoke Tour and as the opener to Super Bowl LVI halftime show on February 13, 2022. The duo also performed the song during the concluding segment of Los Angeles' contribution to the 2024 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, a nod to the fact that Los Angeles 2028 is the "next episode" of the Summer Olympics.

Background

"The Next Episode" is produced by Dr. Dre and fellow Aftermath producer Mel-Man. The song predominantly samples "The Edge" by David McCallum and producer David Axelrod, originally released on McCallum's 1967 album Music: A Bit More Of Me.^[1]

Music video

The music video is set in a strip club with many strippers pole-dancing. It also features many rappers, including Hittman, Ice Cube, Warren G, and Xzibit.

Track listing

• UK CD single #1^[2]

1. "The Next Episode" (LP Version) – 2:42
2. "Bad Guys Always Die" (featuring Eminem) – 4:38
3. "The Next Episode" (Instrumental) – 2:43
4. "The Next Episode" (Music Video)

• UK CD single #2^[3]

1. "The Next Episode" (LP Version) - 2:42
2. "Fuck You" - 3:25
3. "Bang Bang" (Instrumental) - 3:42
4. "Forgot About Dre" (Instrumental) - 3:54
5. "Forgot About Dre" (Music Video)

• 12" vinyl^[4]

1. "The Next Episode" (LP Version) – 2:42
2. "Bad Guys Always Die" (featuring Eminem) – 4:38
3. "Bang Bang" (featuring Hittman) - 3:42

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022-2023)	Peak position
Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)^[6]	2
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)^[7]	16

Year-end charts

Chart (2000)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[8]	76
US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[9]	49
Chart (2001)	Position
Ireland (IRMA)^[10]	75
UK Singles (OCC)^[11]	79
UK Urban (Music Week)^[12]	40
Chart (2022)	Position
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)^[13]

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Personnel

• Recorded at: Sierra Sonics, Encore Studios
• Engineer: Richard "Segal" Huredia
• Assistant engineer: Tom Gordon, Michelle Lynn Forbes, Dave Tenhouten
• Background Vocals - Kurupt
• Bass - Preston Crump
• Guitar - Sean Cruse
• Keyboards - Camara Kambon
• Rap [Featuring] - Snoop Dogg, Kurupt
• Vocals [Featuring] - Nate Dogg
• Director - Paul Hunter
• Writers - Ms Roq, Hittman, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, David McCallum
• Video cameo appearance - Xzibit, Hittman, Warren G

Notes and References

1. Web site: David Axelrod, Influential Musician and Producer, Dies: Report. Billboard.com. February 5, 2017. February 13, 2022.
2. Web site: Next Episode [Single, Maxi] - Dr. Dre]. Amazon.co.uk. June 14, 2013.
3. Web site: Next Episode [Single, Enhanced, Maxi, Import] - Dr. Dre]. Australian-Charts. June 14, 2013.
4. Web site: Snoop Doggy Dogg* – Doggystyle. 1993 . Discogs. June 14, 2013.
5. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20000815203351/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/BDS_1.html. August 15, 2000. The Hits Charts : Top 100 singles. Jam!. November 20, 2023.
6. Dr. Dre Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs) . . November 20, 2023.
7. Web site: Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 8. Sverigetopplistan. February 26, 2022.
8. Web site: Billboard Top 100 - 2000. August 31, 2010.
9. The Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Year End Charts 2000. .
10. Web site: Ireland-Top Singles for 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20120505011812/http://allcharts.org/music/years/ireland-singles-2001.htm . 2012-05-05 . C&R. 14 September 2022.
11. Web site: The Official UK Singles Chart 2001. UKChartsPlus. 22 May 2018.
12. Top 40 Urban Tracks Of 2001. Music Week. 26. January 19, 2002. August 4, 2023.
13. Digital Song Sales: Year End 2022. Billboard. December 31, 2022.