What's the Difference
{{short description|Song by Dr. Dre featuring Eminem and Xzibit}}
{{other uses}}
{{Infobox song
| name = What's the Difference
| type = song
| artist = Dr. Dre featuring Eminem and Xzibit
| album = 2001
| released = November 16, 1999
| recorded = 1999
| studio = Larrabee (Hollywood)
| venue =
| genre = Hip hop
| length = 4:04
| label = {{hlist|Aftermath|Interscope}}
| writer = {{hlist|Andre Young|Melvin Bradford|Alvin Joiner|Marshall Mathers|Richard Bembery|Stefan Harris|Charles Aznavour}}
| producer = {{hlist|Dr. Dre|Mel-Man}}
}}
"What's the Difference" is a song by American rapper Dr. Dre from his second studio album 2001 (1999). It features American rappers Eminem and Xzibit, and was produced by Dre and Mel-Man.
Composition
The song is in the key of B minor and contains a horn section in the instrumental,{{cite web |last1=Juon |first1=Steve |title=Dr. Dre :: Chronic 2001 |url=https://www.rapreviews.com/1999/11/dr-dre-chronic-2001/ |website=RapReviews |date=November 27, 1999}} as well as a sample of "Parce Que Tu Crois" by Charles Aznavour. Lyrically, the rappers talk about the differences between themselves and other rappers. Dr. Dre reflects on three of his friends, Ice Cube, The D.O.C., and Eazy-E in his verse.{{cite journal|last=Williams|first=Frank|url=https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Dr.+Dre+2001+The+Source&m=text|title=Dr. Dre: Dr. Dre 2001|journal=The Source|issue=124|location=New York|date=January 2000|access-date=July 12, 2009|pages=185–6|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104041833/http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Dr.+Dre+2001+The+Source&m=text|archive-date=January 4, 2013|url-status=live}} Eminem's verse sees him considering the hypothetical situation of killing his girlfriend Kim, rapping that he would put sunglasses on her corpse and drive around with her in the front seat.{{cite journal|last=Morton|first=Roger|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19991118154846.html|title=Dr. Dre – 2001|journal=NME|location=London|date=November 18, 1999|access-date=March 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000122225046/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19991118154846.html|archive-date=January 22, 2000|url-status=dead}} He also defends Dre's legacy, threatening those who doubt him.{{cite web |last1=Howard |first1=Jackson |title=How Dre Forgot About Dre: The Story of '2001' |url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2019/11/15/20965194/dr-dre-2001-chronic-20th-anniversary-eminem-aftermath-death-row-snoop-dogg |website=The Ringer |date=November 15, 2019}}
Critical reception
Roger Morton of NME praised Eminem's feature, describing him as "cutting through particularly effectively" on the track. Frank Williams of The Source called the song the highlight of 2001. Jackson Howard of The Ringer also praised Eminem's verse, which he described as "mesmerizing, equal parts performance art, battle rap, storytelling, and raw charisma".
Live performances
Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Xzibit performed the song live on March 16, 2000 at MTV Spring Break.
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" | Chart (2000) ! scope="col" | Peak |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|76|artist=Dr. Dre|rowheader=true|access-date=October 19, 2022}} |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Dr. Dre ft. Eminem & Xzibit|title=What's the Difference|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|access-date=December 16, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=Dr. Dre feat. Eminem And Alvin Joiner|title=What's the Difference|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|access-date=December 18, 2024|source=radioscope}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Dr. Dre|title=What's the Difference|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|id=15105-256-1|access-date=April 5, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | noshipments=true |streaming=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Dr. Dre songs}}
{{Eminem songs}}
{{Xzibit}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Dr. Dre
Category:Songs written by Eminem
Category:Songs written by Xzibit
Category:Song recordings produced by Dr. Dre