Dr. Dre turns 49 today. With the unveiling of our cover featuring heavyweights Dre, Eminem and Jimmy Iovine that highlights the launch of Beats Music, we thought it was only right to revisit some of the Compton rapper’s earlier work. Combined with his N.W.A cohorts, here are the group’s most essential solo cuts. Celebrate Dre Day with the classics.

1. Eazy-E “Real Muthaphucckin G’s
2. Ice Cube “No Vaseline”
3. Eazy-E “Sippin On A 40”
4. MC Ren “Same Old Sh*t”
5. Eazy-E “Eazy-Duz-It
6. Dr. Dre “The Watcher”
7. Ice Cube “You Can’t Fade Me”
8. Dr. Dre “The Message” Featuring Rell
9. Ice Cube “Why We Thugs”
10. MC Ren “Ruthless For Life”
11. Dr. Dre “Natural Born Killaz”
12. MC Ren “Final Frontier”
13. Eazy-E “It’s On”
14. Ice Cube “Once Upon A Time In The Projects”
15. Ice Cube “Check Yo Self”
16. Eazy-E “Boyz-N-The Hood (Remix)”
17. N.W.A. “Gangsta Gangsta”
18. Ice Cube “Hello” Featuring Dr. Dre & MC Ren
19. N.W.A. “Straight Outta Compton”

N.W.A.'s Essential Solo Cuts via Beats Music

Previously:

XXL’s New Issue Features Eminem, Dr. Dre And Jimmy Iovine On The Cover

More From XXL