Dr. Dre
Biography
Andre Romelle Young, known professionally as Dr. Dre, was born in Compton, California, on February 18, 1965. His parents were both singers, and his middle name comes from his father's amateur R&B group, the Romells. In the early 1980s, he began working as a DJ at local clubs and parties, adopting the moniker Dr. Dre. His early career included being a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru, a group that became stars of the electro-hop scene on the West Coast.
N.W.A. and the Rise of Gangsta Rap
In 1986, Dr. Dre, along with Eazy-E and Ice Cube, founded the influential rap group N.W.A. (Niggaz Wit Attitudes). MC Ren and DJ Yella later joined the group. N.W.A.'s 1988 album, "Straight Outta Compton," was a landmark release in the burgeoning gangsta rap movement. The album's explicit lyrics, which depicted the violence and social commentary of street life, garnered significant controversy, including a warning letter from the FBI to their record label, Ruthless Records. Dr. Dre's production on the album was noted for its noisy and multi-layered soundscapes that backed the group's provocative lyrics.
Solo Career and G-Funk
The Chronic
Dr. Dre left N.W.A. in 1991 and, with Suge Knight, co-founded Death Row Records. In 1992, he released his debut solo album, "The Chronic." This album introduced the world to the "G-funk" production style, characterized by its slow, heavy beats, synthesizer melodies, and samples from 1970s funk music. "The Chronic" was a massive commercial success, making Dr. Dre one of the best-selling American music artists of 1993 and earning him a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for the single "Let Me Ride." The album also launched the career of Snoop Dogg, who was featured prominently.
2001
After leaving Death Row Records in 1996, Dr. Dre established his own label, Aftermath Entertainment. His second solo album, "2001," was released in 1999. This album was a return to his gangsta rap roots and featured a host of collaborators, including Snoop Dogg and Eminem. Hit singles like "Still D.R.E." and "Forgot About Dre" propelled the album to multi-platinum status. For his work in the year 2000, which included production on Eminem's "The Marshall Mathers LP," Dr. Dre won the Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical.
Compton
Dr. Dre's third solo album, "Compton," was released in 2015. The album was inspired by the biographical film "Straight Outta Compton," which chronicled the story of N.W.A.
Work as a Producer
Throughout his career, Dr. Dre has been a highly sought-after and influential producer. He was instrumental in producing for many artists on Ruthless Records and Death Row Records. After founding Aftermath Entertainment, he played a pivotal role in launching the careers of Eminem and 50 Cent. He has produced tracks for a wide range of acclaimed artists, including 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and Jay-Z.
Business Ventures
Aftermath Entertainment
Founded in 1996, Aftermath Entertainment has become a successful record label under Dr. Dre's leadership. The label has prided itself on "quality over quantity" and has been home to prominent artists such as Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson .Paak.
Beats Electronics
In 2006, Dr. Dre and record executive Jimmy Iovine co-founded Beats Electronics. The company launched a line of premium headphones, "Beats by Dr. Dre," in 2008, which quickly gained popularity. The company expanded to include other audio products and a music streaming service. In 2014, Apple Inc. acquired Beats for $3 billion.