And that's primarily because I prefer the lush, busy g-funk era Dre to the sparse, empty-space 2001 era Dre. Both are great that's just my preference.

I also had the original Next Episode downloaded a couple years after Doggystyle was released so it was the version I was used to. So when the updated version came out in 1998 or 1999, I remember being really let down by the beat. Obviously I've come around on it, it's an amazing, timeless, classic song for a million reasons. But my preference is and always will be g-funk.

But to your point - I don't really think the original would've had the same impact that G Thang did, and that the new version ultimately did, so I think it worked out the way it should've.

More fun facts: Warren G used the same sample from the original Next Episode on "Runnin' Wit No Brakes" from Regulate..G Funk Era:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gKS4bcuUI0

G also used the same sample Dre'd used for an original demo of "Rat Tat Tat", on "And Ya Don't Stop":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR6KefsflWk

Original Rat Tat Tat Tat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QEv5ljvA_U