According to reports, Dr. Dre's Detox -- the long-awaited follow up to 1999's The Chronic 2001 -- will finally hit stores shelves this October.

The Detox project has been delayed for over two years now, causing many hip hop fans and -- even reps at Dre's label -- to be skeptical of the album's release date. At press time, Interscope officials tell SOHH.com that Detox isn't even on their official release schedule. The hold up, according to sources close to Dre, has been the producer's penchant for perfection.

Dre has reportedly been entrenched in the studio with several collaborators to complete the Detox album. According to one source, the award-winning producer has submitted over 50 beats for the album and regularly tweaks his production.

"Dre has very high standards," Mike Elizondo told Billboard. Bass-player Elizondo has worked on several projects with Dre, including Eminem, The Game and Xzibit albums, and is currently collaborating with Dre on Detox. "He wants to shock the world and put something out that no one would have ever thought possible from a hip-hop artist. He's definitely going to take his time and make sure it's right."

Meanwhile, Dre has been busy at work with his other projects. He recently collaborated with Mary J. Blige on her latest release, which also features production from The Neptunes, Kanye West, and Swizz Beats.

Look for the highly-anticipated Detox to hit stores in October... possibly.

__________________


[CENTER]