Dr. Dre

Basic Information

Early Career

World Class Wreckin’ Cru (1985–1987)

Dre began his career as a DJ and member of the electro group World Class Wreckin’ Cru in the mid-1980s.

N.W.A (1986–1991)

Co-founded N.W.A (Niggaz Wit Attitudes) with Eazy-E, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, MC Ren, and Arabian Prince.

Albums: - Straight Outta Compton (1988) – Multi-platinum, no radio play - 100 Miles and Runnin’ (1990) - Efil4zaggin (1991) – First hardcore rap album to hit #1

Solo Career

The Chronic (1992)

Released on Death Row Records, this album: - Introduced G-funk sound to mainstream - Debuted at #3 on Billboard 200 - Triple platinum - Features Snoop Doggy Dogg - Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

2001 (1999)

Released on Aftermath/Interscope: - Peaked at #2 on Billboard 200 - 6× platinum - Features Eminem on “Forgot About Dre” - Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group

Aftermath Entertainment

Founded in 1996, Aftermath has been home to some of hip-hop’s biggest stars: - Eminem (signed 1998) – Biggest-selling artist of 2000s - 50 Cent (signed 2002) – Debut album sold 12+ million - The Game (signed 2003) - Kendrick Lamar (signed 2012) – Pulitzer Prize winner - Anderson .Paak - Busta Rhymes

Beats Electronics

Founding and Success

Co-founded Beats Electronics with Jimmy Iovine in 2006.

Apple Acquisition (2014)

Apple purchased Beats for $3 billion: - Largest acquisition in Apple history - Dr. Dre became Apple’s first billionaire hip-hop artist - Joined Apple in executive capacity

Production Legacy

Signature Sound

Dr. Dre pioneered G-funk: - Slow, heavy beats - Melodic synthesizers - P-Funk samples - Deep bass lines - Smooth, laid-back flow

Artists Produced For

• Snoop Dogg (Doggystyle)
• Tupac Shakur (“California Love”)
• Eminem (multiple albums)
• 50 Cent (Get Rich or Die Tryin’)
• The Game (The Documentary)
• Kendrick Lamar (Good Kid, M.A.A.D City)
• Mary J. Blige
• Gwen Stefani
• And many more

Awards and Recognition

Grammy Awards (7 Wins, 18 Nominations)

• 1994: Best Rap Solo Performance – “Let Me Ride”
• 2000: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group – “Forgot About Dre”
• 2001: Best Rap Album – Eminem Show (as producer)
• 2001: Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
• 2010: Best Rap Album – Relapse (as producer)
• 2012: Best Rap Performance – “I Need a Doctor”
• 2020: Best Music Film – The Defiant Ones

Other Honors

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Inducted with N.W.A (2016)
• Forbes: Hip-hop’s first billionaire (2014)
• Multiple MTV VMAs and BET Awards

Compton Influence

Dr. Dre’s work has consistently represented Compton: - Straight Outta Compton film (2015) – Produced, portrayed by Corey Hawkins - Compton High School performing arts center named after him - Continuous support for Compton community

Personal Life

Family

• Children: Nine children including:
• Curtis Young (with Cassandra Joy Greene)
• La Tanya Danielle Young
• Andre Young Jr. (deceased 2008)
• Marcel Young (with Michel’le)
• Truice Young
• Truly Young
• Tyler Young (with Jenita Porter)

Relationships

• Michel’le (engaged, has son Marcel)
• Nicole Young (married 1996, divorced 2021) – Highly publicized divorce with significant settlement

Health

• Suffered brain aneurysm in January 2021
• Hospitalized in ICU
• Made full recovery

Legacy

Dr. Dre’s influence on hip-hop is immeasurable: - Defined West Coast hip-hop sound - Launched careers of multiple superstars - Revolutionized music production techniques - Pioneered artist-as-entrepreneur model - Transformed headphones/audio industry - Proved hip-hop’s commercial viability

He stands alongside Quincy Jones and Rick Rubin as one of popular music’s most impactful producers, having shaped the sound of hip-hop across three decades.