Dr. Dre (1965-…) is an American rapper , music producer, and businessman. Dr. Dre (pronounced DRAY) is a pioneer of gangster rap, both as a solo artist and as a member of the rap group N.W.A. Gangster rap, also called gangsta rap, is a style of music that emphasizes gang violence, crime, and other harsh realities of urban life. As a producer, Dr. Dre helped launch the careers of many legendary rappers, including Tupac Shakur , Snoop Dogg , and Eminem . Dr. Dre has won several Grammy Awards .
Dr. Dre and the American rappers Arabian Prince, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and Yella joined to form N.W.A in 1985. The group’s second album, Straight Outta Compton (1989), is considered one of the most important rap albums of all time, helping to establish gangster rap. The album drew widespread controversy for its aggressive lyrics.
Dr. Dre helped produce most of N.W.A’s music and that of other artists on the label Ruthless Records. In 1991, Dr. Dre formed the label Death Row Records with the American producer Marion “Suge” Knight. At Death Row, Dr. Dre produced the debut albums of Shakur and Snoop Dogg. After leaving Death Row, Dr. Dre founded Aftermath Entertainment in 1996. There, he produced albums for Eminem and 50 Cent .
Dr. Dre released his first solo album, The Chronic, in 1992. He described the sound of the album as “G-Funk,” combining elements of funk music with gangster rap. The album included the hit single “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang.” His other solo releases include the albums 2001 (1999) and Compton (2015).
Andre Romelle Young was born on Feb. 18, 1965, in Compton, near Los Angeles, California. He adopted the nickname “Dr.” after his favorite basketball player, Julius “Dr. J.” Erving . Dre is short for Andre. Dr. Dre got his start in the music business in his teens, working as a nightclub DJ. He helped to found the hip-hop group World Class Wreckin’ Cru in 1982.
In 2008, Dr. Dre and the American producer Jimmy Iovine founded the company Beats Electronics. It became known as the maker of a line of premium headphones called Beats by Dre. In 2016, N.W.A was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame .
