Let Me Ride
| Company type | Single |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Dr. Dre |
| Products | Music single |
| Parent | Death Row Records, Interscope Records, Priority Records |
Let Me Ride is a 1993 single by American rapper and producer Dr. Dre, issued through Death Row Records, Interscope Records, and Priority Records as the third and final release from his debut album, The Chronic (1992). Initially achieving moderate chart placement, the track rose to prominence following Dre's win for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards. The song features vocal contributions from Ruben and Jewell, with uncredited input from rapper Snoop Dogg, who also authored the lyrics.
The songwriting was originally crafted by RBX for a different piece, with writing credits attributed to Dr. Dre, RBX, and Snoop Dogg. The chorus samples and interpolates Parliament’s 1976 classic "Mothership Connection (Star Child)", which itself draws inspiration from the Negro spiritual "Swing Down Sweet Chariot". Additional sampled elements include James Brown’s "Funky Drummer" and Bill Withers’ 1973 track "Kissing My Love".
Music video
Directed by Dr. Dre, the music video for "Let Me Ride" was shot along Slauson Avenue in Los Angeles. This marks Dre’s second video centered around lowrider culture and received a nomination for the MTV Video Music Award in the Best Rap Video category. The video begins with Dre watching a skit from the album before receiving a call inviting him to attend a Parliament concert. He then cruises through Compton in his lowrider. The visuals include aerial helicopter shots of freeways, appearances by Snoop Dogg, a depiction of a carjacking, and scenes of a street party outside the concert venue. Ice Cube makes a guest appearance, alluding to his single "It Was a Good Day" and symbolically concluding their long-standing rivalry since Ice Cube’s departure from N.W.A.
The closing sequence features archival footage from Parliament-Funkadelic’s 1976 Earth Tour, showcasing Starchild wielding the bop gun and George Clinton departing aboard the Mothership, superimposed with Dre’s face. Cameos in the video include Warren G (Dre’s stepbrother), The D.O.C., The Lady of Rage, Death Row co-founder Suge Knight, producer Bonita "Bo" Money, and actress Jada Pinkett-Smith.
A 1964 Chevrolet Impala prominently displayed in the video has become an emblematic vehicle frequently appearing in Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s visual works.
Remixes
An official remix version features full verses by Snoop Dogg and Daz Dillinger alongside George Clinton. Recorded concurrently with the original track, it was issued on 12-inch vinyl after the solo version was chosen for inclusion on the album. This extended remix lasts 11 minutes and includes a guitar solo by Johnny "Guitar" Watson. Its instrumental beat was later transformed into a G-Funk remix utilized during the 2000 Up In Smoke Tour performances. The remix production was also handled by Dr. Dre.
References in popular culture
Nate Dogg references "Let Me Ride" in Warren G’s 1994 hit "Regulate" with the line: "She said 'my car's broke down and you seem real nice, would ya let me ride?'" In 2001, rapper Fabolous incorporates the phrase in "Can't Deny It" with the lyric: "bitches be yellin "let me ride", like I'm Snoop, and Dr. Dre." Similarly, The Game alludes to "Let Me Ride" in his 2005 track "Put You on the Game," underscoring its enduring cultural significance.
Track listing
- CD single
- "Let Me Ride" (Radio Edit) – 4:22
- "Let Me Ride" (Extended Club Version) – 11:01
- "One Eight Seven" – 4:18
- 12" vinyl
- "Let Me Ride" (Extended Club Version) – 11:01
- "Let Me Ride" (Radio Edit) – 4:22
- "One Eight Seven" – 4:18
- US 12" vinyl
- "Let Me Ride" (Extended Club Version) – 11:01
- "Let Me Ride" (Radio Edit) – 4:22
- "Let Me Ride" (Album Version) – 4:47
- Cassette single
- "Let Me Ride" (Radio Edit) – 4:22
- "Let Me Ride" (Extended Club Version) – 11:01
Charts
Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chart| Chart (1993) | Highest position |
|---|---|
| US Cash Box Top 100 | 31 |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Award category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Grammy Awards | Best Rap Solo Performance | Template:Won |