Dr. Dre won the 1994 Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance for “Let Me Ride.”
The song appeared on The Chronic, Dr. Dre’s landmark 1992 debut solo album, and was released as a single in 1993. Built around a smooth G-funk production style, “Let Me Ride” combines Dre’s relaxed solo verses with a lowrider-centered perspective and West Coast hip-hop atmosphere. The recording also includes contributions connected to Snoop Dogg and other musicians in Dre’s Death Row circle.
The award was presented at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in 1994. Dr. Dre’s victory came during a defining period for West Coast rap, when The Chronic was helping establish G-funk as a dominant sound in mainstream hip-hop. The record was nominated alongside tracks by Paperboy, Sir Mix-a-Lot, MC Lyte and LL Cool J.
A common confusion is mixing this award with the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg were nominated in that separate category for “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang,” but “Let Me Ride” was Dre’s solo-category win.