GET TO KNOW DR. DRE
Andre Romelle Young, better known as Dr. Dre, is widely regarded as the Godfather of the American hip-hop industry. Dre's life story is filled with numerous milestones that have played a significant role in shaping the music industry's current outlook. Dre, born Andre Romelle Young, began his career as a member of the electro group World Class Wreckin Cru.
Following that, he established himself with the influential gangsta rap group N.W.A., which gave him his first major success. He is the current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment, which he co-founded with Death Row Records.
Dre's inherent musical aptitude helped him become a rap music pioneer, and his two solo albums, 'The Chronic' and '2001,' were huge successes. He introduced to the world the G-funk style of music that became an instant rage. Interestingly, Dre’s career isn’t limited to personal milestones only.
Indeed, he has been a driving role in the success stories of countless rappers and hip hop musicians that he brought to the music industry. Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and 50 Cent are among them. Without a question, he is the most important producer in hip-hop history.
Childhood & Early Life:
Dr. Dre was born on February 18, 1965, in Compton, California to Andre Romelle Young's parents Theodore and Verna Young. His parents divorced when he was seven years old. He attended Vanguard Junior High School, Roosevelt Junior High School, Fremont High School, and afterward Chester Adult School as a student.
During his undergraduate years, he wanted to join Northrop Aviation Company's apprenticeship program, but his constantly bad grades disqualified him. As such, he shifted his attention to music.
Career:
His first experience with music was as a DJ at a local club called The Eve After Dark. During this time, he adopted the moniker Dr. Dre, which he has carried with him ever since.
Dre began his musical career in 1984 as a member of the band World Class Weckin Cru. The trio quickly dominated the West Coast electro-hop scene, with their debut hit, 'Surgery,' selling over 50,000 copies in Compton alone.
In 1986, he created the local gangster rap group N.W.A. alongside Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and DJ Yella (Niggaz for Life). N.W.A worked on themes such as urban crime and gang culture. Their songs were caustic, and overt, and delivered a taste of real life on the streets to mainstream America.
'Straight Outta Compton,' N.W.A's debut studio album, was a commercial triumph, selling over 2 million copies. 'Fuck Tha Police,' the track, highlighted tensions between black youth and police officers. Before disbanding in 1991, the band published its second album, 'Efil4zaggin.'
He co-founded Death Row Records with Suge Knight in 1991. In 1992, he released his debut song, 'Deep Cover,' which served as the title music for the film. Snoop Dogg made his debut on the tune as well.
Dre launched his career with his debut album, 'The Chronic,' released in 1993. Its hits, 'Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang,' 'Let Me Ride,' and 'Fuck with Dre Day,' sparked a music industry revolution, and the album became a cultural sensation. For the early 1990s, the album's G-funk sound dominated hip-hop music.
He became a producer after achieving popularity as a rapper. Snoop Dogg's debut album, 'Doggystyle,' Tupac Shakur's effort, 'All Eyez on Me,' and other film tracks were all produced by him. Following a contractual conflict, he quit Death Row Records for good in 1996. In the same year, he launched his own label, Aftermath Entertainment, in collaboration with Interscope Records.
His album 'Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath was released in November 1996. It included tracks from Aftermath artists as well as a solo by Dre titled 'Been There, Done That.' The song was a rebuke of the well-publicized West Coast-East Coast hip-hop dispute and a farewell to gangster rap.
Dre produced three songs on Eminem's debut album, 'The Slim Shady LP,' released in 1999. The record went on to sell four million copies in the United States alone, reviving the destiny of Aftermath Entertainment.
Dr. Dre's second solo album, '2001,' continued the success narrative by marking his grandiose return to gangster rap. The record was a big success.
Following the success of '2001,' he began producing songs and albums for other artists like as Eminem, The D.O.C, and others. Truth Hurts to Aftermath, an R&B singer, was recruited by him in 2001.
In 2003, he created 50 Cent's debut big single, 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'. He co-produced four tracks off the album, including the blockbuster single 'In Da Club,' alongside Eminem's boutique label Shady and Interscope. He then went on to produce tunes for rap albums by artists such as Young Buck, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and Jay Z.
Aside from music, Dre has appeared in a number of films, his first being 'Set It Off' in 1996. He then released 'The Wash' and 'Training Day.' He has appeared in music videos as a guest.
Dre's multifaceted career reached a new high in 2008 when he released his own line of headphones, 'Beats by Dr. Dre.' The collection included in-ear headphones, supra-aural headphones, and circumaural headphones. The headphone brand was eventually purchased by telecom giant Apple Inc in 2014 for an estimated $3 billion.
His charitable works include a $70 million commitment to the University of Southern California alongside Jimmy Loveline to establish the Jimmy Loveline and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology, and the Business of Innovation. The academy's mission is to develop young talent.
Major Works:
From his association with the iconic gangsta rap group N.W.To act as the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, Dre's colorful career has had many notable highlights. He has recorded two studio albums as a solo artist, both of which have won him Grammy nominations.
Dre's contribution as a producer is vital. He helped begin the careers of several hip-hop and rap artists, including Eminem, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Xzibit, The Game, and Kendrick Lamar. He promoted West Coast G-Funk over the world and introduced a new rap style to the music industry.
Awards & Achievements:
He has received six Grammy Awards to date, three of them for his producing work. He won twice for Best Rap Solo Performance, twice for Best Rap Solo Performance by Duo/Group, twice for Producer of the Year, and twice for Best Rap Album.
He won the MTV Best Rap Video Awards twice for his hits "Keep the Heads Ringin'" and "Forget About Dre." He is listed #56 on Rolling Stones' list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."
Personal Life & Legacy:
Dre had a son, Curtis Young, while he was just 17 years old. Curtis Young met his father for the first time 20 years later, when Curtis became rapper Hood Surgeon.
Andre Young Jr., his second son, was born from his union with Jenita Porter, albeit the two never married. He dated Michelle from 1990 until 1996, with whom he has a son, Marcel.
He married Nicole Threatt, the ex-wife of NBA star Sedale Threatt, in 1996. The couple has a boy named Truice and a daughter named Truly.
Dre's anti-violence rap was not restricted to music. His personal life was riddled with several legal problems as he was convicted of violence against women on various occasions.
Awards:
Grammy Awards:
2020: Best R&B Album - Winner
2010: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group - Winner
2001: Best Rap Album - Winner
2001: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group - Winner
2001: Producer of the Year, Non-Classical - Winner
1994: Best Rap Solo Performance - Winner
MTV Video Music Awards:
2000: Best Rap Video Dr. Dre Feat. Eminem & Hittman: Forgot About Dre (2000)
1995: Best Rap Video Dr. Dre: Keep Their Heads Ringin' (1995)