Dr. Dre Biography

Dr. Dre, an ex-Public Enemy member is the pioneer of gangsta rap and responsible for the emergence of the G-funk sound. Celebrating the lifestyle of gang life, more than a rapper, he is one of the best hip-hop producers.

Early Life

Born straight out of Campton, California on February 18, 1965, Andre Romelle Young was the first child in his family. Raised surrounded by gang violence and challenged academically he would often change schools. As a result, he focused on music in his teens.

Career Beginnings

In the 80s, Dre started performing as a DJ at clubs and house parties with his friends as the World Class Wreckin’ Cru. In 1986 he met Ice Cube and began writing music, supported by Eazy-E’s record label Ruthless Records. Boyz-n-the Hood was N.W.A.’s (Niggaz With Attitude) first single, with Dre, Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella as members.

N.W.A

They released their first album in 1987 and soon released the iconic Straight Outta Compton. The underground record did not get any radio play, or press or TV time because of the blunt lyrics. Fuck tha Police was the song that received the most censorship as the FBI themselves threatened the Ruthless label. Because of some financial disagreements, Cube left the group in 1989. In 1990 the remaining members released the EP100 Miles and Runnin‘ and the 1991 LP Efil4zaggin. Dre was in charge of the dense, funky sounds of their music so they were able to remain at the top.

Solo Career and Death Row Records

Dre left the group in 1992, formed the label Death Row Records and released his first solo record Deep Cover the same year. A long-lasting collaboration and friendship would begin between him and the rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. Discovered by Dre, Snoop started working with Dre on his debut album The Chronic. Hits like Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang, a multi-platinum album and an award winning Grammy album would change hip hop forever. Dre’s sound would be heard all over the mainstream hip hop scene. He produced Snoop’s 1993 debut album, Doggystyle, Blackstreet’s No Diggity and a reunion track with Ice Cube, Natural Born Killaz. 

Aftermath Records

Due to some management disagreements with label partner Knight, Dre left Death Row and created the Aftermath label. He was right to leave Death Row as the label was closed in 1997 and Knight was arrested. The second solo album was released as 2001 and won Dre a Grammy award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for the single Forgot About Dre. Eminem was discovered by Dre and soon became his mentor, in 1999.

Producer and Beats by Dr. Dre

Starting 2000 he chose to shift his attention to producing and spent time focusing on making albums for 50 Cent, Eminem, the Game, Snoop Dog and Jay-Z. In 2006, he ventured into a different business with Jimmy Iovine and released the massively popular headphones Beats by Dr.Dre. He returned to rapping briefly with singles like Kush featuring Snoop Dogg and Akon and I Need a Doctor with Eminem and Skylar Grey. Dre got back into the studio to work with the talented Kendrick Lamar. After the release of the Academy award-nominated N.W.A bio Straight Outta Compton in 2015, Dre released a long-awaited collaboration LP Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre. Because of N.W.A.’s cultural significance, the group was finally recognized and inducted into the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

Photo credit: Dr. Dre