Dr. Dre
In 1992, Dr. Dre released his solo debut The Chronic, introducing the smooth, funk-sampling G-funk sound that dominated West Coast hip-hop. The album made him a superstar producer and launched the career of Snoop Dogg.
Compton Roots
Born Andre Young in Compton, he started as a club DJ before co-founding N.W.A in 1987. The group's Straight Outta Compton helped push gangsta rap into the mainstream.
G-Funk Architect
His 1992 solo album The Chronic defined the laid-back, funk-driven G-funk sound. It made him hip-hop's most influential producer and introduced the world to Snoop Dogg.
Mogul
Through Aftermath Entertainment he developed Eminem, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar. He co-founded Beats Electronics, sold to Apple in 2014, becoming one of music's wealthiest figures.
Career Timeline
- 1965Born Andre Young in Compton, California
- 1984Joins World Class Wreckin' Cru
- 1987Co-founds gangsta rap group N.W.A
- 1988N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton released
- 1992Solo debut The Chronic defines G-funk
- 1996Founds Aftermath Entertainment
- 1998Signs and develops Eminem
- 1999Releases the album 2001
- 2006Co-founds Beats Electronics with Jimmy Iovine
- 2014Apple acquires Beats for $3 billion
- 2015Releases Compton, his final album
- 2022Performs at the Super Bowl halftime show
Biggest Hits
- He co-founded Beats Electronics in 2006, and Apple's 2014 purchase of the company for $3 billion was its largest acquisition at the time.
- As a producer he launched the careers of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar.
Portrait: Jordan Miller | Propagandaphoto.net · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons