About
Dr. Dre, born Andre Romell Young, is an iconic American rapper, record producer, record executive, and actor. He is the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, and co-founded the influential Death Row Records. Dr. Dre first gained prominence as a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru before achieving superstardom with the groundbreaking gangsta rap group N.W.A. His contributions have significantly shaped the landscape of hip-hop, particularly in the West Coast scene, and he remains a highly influential figure in the music industry.
Career Timeline
Straight Outta Compton Revolution
N.W.A released 'Straight Outta Compton', pioneering gangsta rap and making Dre a key figure in hip-hop. The album's cultural impact was massive, though financial disputes with Eazy-E limited his earnings.
The Chronic G-Funk Era
Released solo debut 'The Chronic' on Death Row Records, revolutionizing hip-hop with the G-funk sound. The album's massive success and influence on West Coast rap elevated him to legendary status.
Death Row Departure
Left Death Row Records amid violence and financial disputes, founding Aftermath Entertainment. While this was a risky move that initially reduced his income, it gave him full creative and business control.
Eminem Discovery Launches Empire
Discovered and produced Eminem's breakthrough albums, creating one of the biggest artists in music history. This cemented his reputation as hip-hop's premier hitmaker and dramatically increased Aftermath's value.
2001 Album Comeback
Released '2001' featuring hits like 'Still D.R.E.' and 'Forgot About Dre', reasserting his dominance as an artist. The album sold millions and reinforced his status as both a performer and producer.
Beats Electronics Founded
Co-founded Beats Electronics with Jimmy Iovine, launching the iconic Beats by Dre headphone brand. This business venture would ultimately become more lucrative than his entire music career.
Apple Acquires Beats $3B
Apple acquired Beats Electronics for $3 billion, making Dre hip-hop's first billionaire. This deal transformed him from music mogul to tech industry titan and one of the wealthiest figures in entertainment.
Hip-Hop Billionaire Icon
Remains a global cultural icon with massive influence on music, business, and pop culture despite reduced net worth from peak. His legacy as producer, artist, entrepreneur, and mentor to Eminem, Snoop, 50 Cent makes him an S-tier legend.
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Last updated: February 23, 2026