Dr. Dre has often been called the greatest producer in the history of rap and is considered partly responsible for popularizing the West Coast sound and “Gangsta rap.”
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He has produced some of the most recognizable songs in the history of music and elevated the careers of some of the greatest and most successful rappers of all time including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar.
Here is the evolution of Dr. Dre.
World Class Wrecking Cru
Born as Andre Young in Compton, California, Dr. Dre got his start in music with the group World Class Wrecking Cru. The group also included future N.W.A member DJ Yella. Their music and attire were a far cry from what Dr. Dre would go on to be known for.
N.W.A
In 1987, Dr. Dre along with Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Ren, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince formed the group N.W.A, which stands for “Niggaz Wit Attitudez,” under Ruthless Records. Their first album, Straight Outta Compton, became a major success despite not being played on the radio because of its lyrics. The group popularized gangsta rap and often rapped about violence in the inner city and police brutality.
Dee Barnes assault
In 1991, Dr. Dre assaulted television host Dee Barnes after an episode of her show Pump it Up! in which she interviewed N.W.A. Barnes sued Dr. Dre for $22 million and he was fined $2,500, given two years probation and ordered to 240 hours of community service.
Death Row Records
Dr. Dre left the group in 1991 after problems with Eazy-E and founded Death Row Records along with Suge Knight. A year later, Dre released his first single since leaving N.W.A. It was the title track for the movie Deep Cover and introduced rapper Snoop Dogg. Dr. Dre’s debut solo album The Chronic, was the first album released under Death Row and heavily featured Snoop Dogg, turning him into a star. The Chronic is considered one of the best rap albums of all time and is credited with introducing a new style of rap called West Coast G-funk.
Snoop Dogg
Because of his work with Dr. Dre on The Chronic, the anticipation for Snoop Dogg’s solo release was at an all-time high, and with the production of Dr. Dre and Daz Dillinger, Snoop released his debut album Doggystyle, which is also considered one of the best rap albums of all time.
2Pac
Death Row Records signed 2Pac in 1996 and collaborated with Dr. Dre to work on his label debut All Eyez On Me. Their song “California Love” became a rap anthem and one of the most popular rap songs of all time.
Aftermath
Dr. Dre left the label in 1996 and formed his own imprint Aftermath Entertainment under Interscope Records. His first album on the label Dr. Dre Presents The Aftermath, did not perform well at the time, but in 1998 things turned for Dre and the label when they signed Eminem.
Eminem
Jimmy Iovine, the head of Interscope, suggested that Dr. Dre sign Detroit rapper Eminem. Dre produced three songs from Eminem’s label debut The Slim Shady LP in 199 which included, “My Name Is,” “Guilty Conscience” and “Role Model.” The album was a hit and Eminem became a star.
Return of Dr. Dre
With Aftermath Entertainment finding some success, Dr. Dre released his second solo album 2001 in 1999. The album features Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Nate Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige. Dre made another hit and it features some of the most recognizable songs in the history of rap including “Still D.R.E.,” “The Next Episode,” and “Forgot About Dre.”
50 Cent
In 2002, Dr. Dre and Aftermath did it again and signed rap’s next megastar, 50 Cent. Dre had produced credits on 50 Cent’s debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, released in 2003. It became one of the best-selling albums of all time and Dre co-produced the hit single “In da Club.”
The Game
The Game, who was a part of 50 Cent’s group G-Unit, was also signed to Aftermath and Dr. Dre assisted the fellow Compton rapper with production on his debut album The Documentary in 2005.
Detox
The album that never was. For a LONG time, it was rumored that Dr. Dre would be releasing his third and final studio album Detox. It was rumored to feature hip-hop heavyweights and producing legends all over the album. For years, artists would say it’s done but because of producing other artists’ work, the album never came out.
Kendrick Lamar
In 2011, Aftermath signed Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar and was the executive producer for Lamar’s classic album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. He was also featured on the last track of the album, “Compton.”
Beats by Dre
Founded by Dr.Dre and frequent business partner Jimmy Iovine in 2006, the two founded Beats Electronics LLC, better known as Beats By Dre. The company focuses on manufacturing and selling headphones and speakers. The headphones became not only a good way for you to listen to your music but also a fashion statement. NBA superstar LeBron James became an investor in the company.
Selling to Apple
Beats by Dre was acquired by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion dollars in a cash and stock deal, making it the biggest Apple acquisition in its history. The deal was rumored to make Dre hip-hop’s first billionaire. The deal was prematurely leaked in a YouTube video by Tyrese Gibson where Gibson and Dre were celebrating and making multiple comments about Apple buying the company. In the video, you can hear Dre saying, “the first billionaire in hip-hop.”
”Straight Outta Compton”
Along with former N.W.A member Ice Cube, Dr. Dre produced the biopic Straight Outta Compton, released in 2015. The movie showed the formation of the rap group until the death of Eazy-E in 1995, from AIDS.
Final album
Dr. Dre released his final album Compton in 2015, which was inspired by the N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton. The album featured many of Dre’s frequent collaborators over the years including Eminem, Snoop Dogg Kendrick Lamar, Xzibit, and The Game. But it also heavily featured up-and-coming artist Anderson .Paak.
Super Bowl Halftime Show
Dr. Dre along with Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and Eminem performed during the Super Bowl Halftime Show and included surprise appearances from 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
In March 2024, Dre was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and many of the artists he helped popularize were there to celebrate him including 50 Cent, Eminem, and Snoop Dogg.
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