Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young (born February 18, 1965), most famously known as Dr. Dre, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. A pivotal figure in the popularization of West Coast G-funk, Dre is considered one of the most influential and successful producers in hip hop history.
Dre began his career as a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru in the mid-1980s. He later gained notoriety as a founding member of the groundbreaking gangsta rap group N.W.A., which brought hardcore hip hop to mainstream attention. N.W.A.'s confrontational lyrics and realistic depiction of street life sparked controversy but also solidified their place in music history.
After N.W.A. disbanded, Dr. Dre co-founded Death Row Records in 1991 with Suge Knight. On Death Row, he released his debut solo album, The Chronic (1992), which is widely regarded as a classic and cemented G-funk's place in hip hop. The album featured Snoop Dogg, launching the latter's career.
In 1996, Dre left Death Row to found Aftermath Entertainment, his own record label. Aftermath's early years were initially commercially unsuccessful, but the label found massive success after signing Eminem in 1998. Dre played a significant role in producing Eminem's debut album, The Slim Shady LP, and subsequent releases. He also produced for other artists on the label, including 50 Cent.
Dr. Dre's second solo album, 2001, was released in 1999 and was another critical and commercial success. He has been teasing a third studio album, Detox, for over a decade; however, it remains unreleased. In 2015, he released Compton, inspired by the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton.
Beyond music, Dr. Dre is also a successful entrepreneur. In 2006, he co-founded Beats Electronics with Jimmy Iovine, which produced high-end headphones and audio products. Apple Inc. acquired Beats Electronics in 2014 for $3 billion, making Dre one of the wealthiest figures in hip hop. He has continued to be involved in music production and mentorship, solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in popular music.