Dre's The Chronic and the ascent of the west coast

December 1992: Number 31 in our series of the 50 key events in the history of R&B and hip-hop musicThe Chronic's lush, sophisticated production smoothed out the rattly aesthetic of hip-hop's first "golden age" with radio-friendly audio opulence. But it was the lyrics – the nihilistic lifestyles of the gangbangers and weed dealers – that had the most lasting impact. The discovery that small-time crime narratives could spur huge sales meant that the hustler on the make became rap's predominant...

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