Iconic record producer and hip-hop artist Dr. Dre has been selected to receive the 2,775th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Compton legend was honored on March 19 at 11:30 a.m. on 6840 Hollywood Boulevard, just in front of Jimmy Kimmel Studios. He received his star in the category of music recording.
Fellow hip-hop icons Eminem, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Xzibit and music mogul Jimmy Iovine also joined emcee Big Boy, who was a speaker at the ceremony.
“Dr. Dre’s contributions to the music industry are undeniable and have left an indelible mark on popular culture. As a producer, rapper, and entrepreneur, Dr. Dre has continuously pushed boundaries and set new standards for excellence.” – Said producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Ana Martinez. Martinez also added that the location of Dr. Dre’s star is particularly special because it is nestled alongside that of long-time friend collaborator Snoop Dogg.
Dr. Dre has nine Grammy Awards, record label Aftermath Entertainment and audio products manufacturer Beats Electronics under his belt. He formed an iconic rap group N.W.A. and gave the world hip-hop stars like Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, The Game, Kendrick Lamar and Anderson .Paak at Aftermath Entertainment after founding it in 1996.
A Compton native and philanthropist, Dr. Dre donated $10 million to Compton High School for the school’s new performing arts center that broke ground in 2022. According to the Compton Unified School District, it has been named the “Andre ‘Dr. Dre’ Young Performing Arts Center” in his honor.
Dr. Dre’s last couple of years were extraordinary. After performing at Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2022, he won Emmy Awards, Grammy Global Impact Award, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award with N.W.A, ASCAP Hip-Hop Icon Award and he now has a star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame. You can watch the entire ceremony below:
Dr. Dre has recently stopped by SiriusXM’s The Life of Mine With James Corden show on Thursday (March 14, 2024), where the iconic hip-hop producer crowned Eminem as the best emcee to ever touch the microphone. Dre also reflected on meeting Eminem for the first time at Jimmy Iovine’s office in the ’90s and how their first time in the studio produced “My Name Is” from The Slim Shady LP: “I met Eminem at Jimmy Iovine’s office. We slapped hands, went to the studio and started recording and I’m not sure if anybody knows this, but I think the first four albums was just me and him and his writing and his delivery and his imagination is off the charts and I don’t think anyone would disagree with that.” said Dr. Dre.
Then he continued: “Hi, my name is, is the first thing that happened. I put the beat on and he just did that right away. We are in the studio. I hit play on it, and he just went ‘Hi, my name is!’ It happened that fast. No bullsh–t. And then we went from there and that was the beginning of this relationship. And I think he is the best emcee ever. Point blank, period. Of course there gonna be arguments about that because he’s white guy, you know. I don’t think anyone that is rapping can touch Eminem on microphone.”
In the same interview, Dre also confirmed that he’s reuniting with an old friend for a new project, as Dre’s teasing an album on the way with Snoop Dogg: “I know as odd as it sounds, I’ve only produced one album on Snoop, which was in 1993, Doggystyle. I mean, we’ve done some songs and we’ve played around in between, of course, but that is the one and only album I’ve produced on Snoop, Doggystyle, so we decided to call this one Missionary. Snoop is really sounding fantastic and people are gonna be really shocked and amazed at how we’ve been able to come back together after all these years and do something. It’s really interesting.”
It appears Benzino was not happy with Dr. Dre’s opinion. Zino shared the news on Instagram with the caption: “You know I think Dr. Dre is one of the greatest producers of all time, and notice I didn’t say Hip-Hop producers, but this is an insult to Cube, REN, Snoop, DOC and every other rapper who who wrote all those hits. I mean this is his opinion and I respect it but c’mon Dre.” Check out the post below:
Xzibit has recently sat down with Cece Valencia on 935 KDAY where the Detroit legend talked about his upcoming album, Dr. Dre getting a star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame next to Snoop Dogg, Dre’s role in hip-hop and shared unknown fact about recording process of “What’s The Difference” track with Dre and Eminem.
Xzibit on Up In Smoke Tour and Dr. Dre’s impact on Hip-Hop culture
Up In Smoke is always gonna be like a turning point and a highlight of my career. I’ll never forget that tour. It was definitely the beginning of a bunch of great experiences so yeah, shout out to Dr. Dre, he’s about to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, right next to [Snoop] Dogg. We gon’ pull up. We gon’ go big, come check us out! Dre is our Quincy Jones. He’s the chairman of the board. Dr. Dre is the root of the family tree. Dr. Dre makes stars for the universe and they stay there for a long time, they don’t burn out. You can see there’s a method to the madness. The people that he’s been involved with have longevity past and there is a reason for that, because he’s so dedicated to the craft and the music and he brings out best out of everyone that he works with. Dr. Dre is essential for West Coast hip-hop to be in existence. We made timeless materials. The things that are going to be here after we are gone. [The best lesson I learned from Dre is] ‘Your ego is not your amigo.’
Xzibit on recording process of “What’s The Difference” with Dr. Dre and Eminem
“Nah, he don’t let you hear it. You just do your part. And then you hear it when it comes out. I didn’t hear anything. All I heard was beat. That’s it. He don’t do that. He don’t wants us to point guns at each other. You do your part, everybody does their part and then if you get s–t on, you get sh–t on. [Laughs] That’s how it is. That’s why you got to come with your A game every time.
“What’s the Difference” is a song from Dr. Dre’s second studio album 2001 (1999), featuring Eminem and Xzibit, as well as additional vocals from Phish, and was produced by Dre and Mel-Man. The song contains a horn section in the instrumental, as well as a sample of “Parce Que Tu Crois” by Charles Aznavour. Lyrically, the rappers talk about the differences between themselves and other rappers. Dr. Dre reflects on three of his friends, Ice Cube, The D.O.C., and Eazy-E in his verse. Eminem’s verse sees him considering the hypothetical situation of killing his girlfriend Kim, rapping that he would put sunglasses on her corpse and drive around with her in the front seat. He also defends Dre’s legacy, threatening those who doubt him.
Eminem and Dr. Dre are among the most iconic collaborative duos to ever grace the world of hip-hop. Even two decades and half into their relationship, The West Coast legend still believes that the Detroit legend is the best to ever pick up a microphone. Dre stopped by SiriusXM’s The Life of Mine With James Corden show on Thursday (March 14, 2024), where he championed Slim Shady’s greatness.
Dre reflected on meeting Eminem for the first time at Jimmy Iovine’s office in the ’90s and how their first time in the studio produced The Slim Shady LP‘s “My Name Is.” “I met Eminem at Jimmy Iovine’s office. We slapped hands, went to the studio and started recording and I’m not sure if anybody knows this, but I think the first four albums was just me and him and his writing and his delivery and his imagination is off the charts and I don’t think anyone would disagree with that.” said Dr. Dre.
Then he continued: “Hi, my name is, is the first thing that happened. I put the beat on and he just did that right away. We are in the studio. I hit play on it, and he just went ‘Hi, my name is!’ It happened that fast. No bullsh–t. And then we went from there and that was the beginning of this relationship. And I think he is the best emcee ever. Point blank, period. Of course there gonna be arguments about that because he’s white guy, you know. I don’t think anyone that is rapping can touch Eminem on microphone.”
Dre is also reuniting with an old friend for a new project, as Dre’s teasing an album on the way with Snoop Dogg: “I know as odd as it sounds, I’ve only produced one album on Snoop, which was in 1993, Doggystyle. I mean, we’ve done some songs and we’ve played around in between, of course, but that is the one and only album I’ve produced on Snoop, Doggystyle, so we decided to call this one Missionary. Snoop is really sounding fantastic and people are gonna be really shocked and amazed at how we’ve been able to come back together after all these years and do something. It’s really interesting.”
Dr. Dre will be honored with the 2,775th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, March 19th at 11:30 am PT at 6840 Hollywood Boulevard. Dre will receive his star in the category of Recording. Snoop Dogg and music impresario Jimmy Iovine are joining emcee Big Boy as speakers.
“Dr. Dre’s contributions to the music industry are undeniable and have left an indelible mark on popular culture. As a producer, rapper, and entrepreneur, Dr. Dre has continuously pushed boundaries and set new standards for excellence. It is with great pride that we honor his incredible career and extraordinary impact by awarding him a star on the Walk of Fame. Dre’s star will serve as a lasting symbol of his immense talent and enduring legacy in the world of music. What is special regarding the location chosen for Dr. Dre’s star is that it will be next to the star of his long-time friend Snoop Dogg!” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Nine-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist, producer, founder, and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Dr. Dre began his career as a member of the World Class Wreckin’ Cru. Shortly after, he co-founded the revolutionary group N.W.A. N.W.A became the fifth hip-hop group to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2016) and the group were recently honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2024). The Compton, California native embarked on his solo career in 1992 when he released his solo debut album The Chronic, which has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA, reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200, and won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance (“Let Me Ride”).
Dr. Dre launched Aftermath Entertainment in 1996, where over the years he discovered hip-hop superstars such as Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson .Paak. Jimmy Iovine and Dre established Beats Electronics in 2006 and later launched Beats Music – Apple acquired both in 2014. In 2017, HBO released a four-part documentary, The Defiant Ones, chronicling the life and relationship of Iovine and Dre throughout the years and how they have shaped some of the more exciting moments in pop culture. Among many other accolades, Dr. Dre won a GRAMMY and an Emmy for The Defiant Ones.
In 2013 the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation was funded and established. In 2022, they expanded their efforts to the Los Angeles Unified School District opening the Iovine and Young Center (IYC) Integrated Design, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (IDTE) Magnet, a new high school that will offer students grounding in the same cutting-edge curriculum. Dre donated 10 million dollars to Compton High School for the school’s new performing arts center which broke ground In 2022. The facility is named the “Andre ‘Dr. Dre’ Young Performing Arts Center,” according to the Compton Unified School District.
In 2020,The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored 50 Cent with the 2,686th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star was dedicated in the category of Recording at 6250 Hollywood Boulevard. “Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson is a man of many talents and star power! He has pursued many types of entertainment genres and done so with huge success. We are proud to add this talented and revered performer to our Walk of Fame family.” Said Ana Martinez. Eminem and Dr. Dre attended the ceremony.
“It’s hard for me to hate on Dre. You look stupid if you hate Dre. I love what Suge Knight said [about Grammy naming Global Impact Award after Dre] in his latest podcast. I said it a year ago but he came out on his podcast and said pretty much the same thing. We both spit out the same thing about that award. It’s kinda hypocritical from the Grammys to give that particular award named after Dr. Dre, knowing his history. It’s gonna be nice to see one female would have a courage enough to boycott if they try to nominate them for that particular award. It’s gonna be really interesting.” said Reggie Wright Jr.
Then he continued: “I still kinda like Dre. Other than that one issue with Dre. I’m gonna be honest. Even though I’m a Suge guy. I was around Death Row because of Suge. I always still kinda liked Dre for just the way he moved because he didn’t like the drama and all that.”
“It’s a good marketing [Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s recent Gin & Juice drink] but they have a weird, weird relationship. They never can do anything long. It never pens out between those two. They can make some money off that but they will never get the album [The Missionary] done. Y’all remember that tour that was supposed to be happening at Hollywood Bowl? And then they came out with crazy excuse about the writer’s Gil. I said that show was never gonna happen between those two. Dre got too much money, he don’t need it. I’m telling y’all, there’s something going on between Snoop and Dre where they can be cool for a minute but then they are not cool. They can’t work together. Their entourages are different. You got wanna be gangsters with homosexuals. And they just don’t get along. Don’t keep your hopes up about no Gin & Juice and no albums by those senior citizens. It’s not going to happen. It would be nice though. I would love it. I’d be in the front row of their concerts but like I tell y’all, it won’t happen. Great advertisement, good luck with that, they probably can do one day shoot, tow day shoot but as far as y’all thinking the album is coming out between these two, won’t happen.” – Reggie Wright Jr. added.
Dr. Dre Global Impact Award was established at the 2023 GRAMMYs and Dre himself was named as the winner for his multitude of achievements through his innovative, multi-decade career. The second ever Dr. Dre Global Impact Award was awarded to Jay-Z at the 2024 GRAMMYs. It looks like, Suge Knight does not appreciate the event.
In this new audio recording, Suge slammed Dr. Dre for having Grammy Global Impact Award named after him. Knight, known for his no-holds-barred approach, comes to the defense of Chris Brown, who has been ruthlessly blackballed by the industry for beating Rihanna up but the same industry still giving props to Dr. Dre who allegedly abused women in the past.
“It’s not a Whitney Huston award. Not a Teena Marie award. It’s not an Aretha Franklin award. But at the same time, you can have a man that is a part of secret society, they gonna give him an award. The Impact Award. That motherf–ker beat up more b-tches than anybody. This man gets award for beating up women.” said Suge Knight.
Then he continued: “Chris Brown is stripped from his crown. And not saying he was right to beat Rihanna up, I’m not saying it. But What I’m saying is this: He had a fight with one woman and they still throwing stones at him. They don’t give him his cigar. They don’t let him come perform. They don’t let him win awards. But you can have an Impact Award with Andre.”
“The only person that can replace Michael Jackson, and be better and bigger than him, is Chris Brown. That comes from the king himself. And I ain’t talking about Elvis. I’m talking about Michael Jackson. I know they both allegedly messing with younger women but only one get ridiculed for. You know why. But they can have an Impact Award. Give Chris Brown his cigar.”
“Puffy, allegedly admitted beating up b-tches and f–king all the young boys and having his girl have sex with prostitutes and then with him and so on. They didn’t cancel him from the Grammys, he chose not to come to the Grammys. Chris Brown didn’t come to the Grammys or he can come but they just don’t give him his cigar.” Suge Knight added.
Yesterday, hip-hop world celebrated 59th birthday of an iconic producer and rapper Dr. Dre. His peers, fans, family and friends wished him a happy birthday on social media.
50 Cent celebrated Dr. Dre’s birthday on Instagram, on Sunday, and teased having “new heat” on the way with the legendary producer. “Happy Birthday to my boy Dre, we got some New Heat coming.” Fif captioned.
Eminem also sent his birthday wish to Dre by sharing a throwback picture of himself and Dre performing at the Coachella back in 2018 with the caption: “You know it’s Dre day!!! Happy b-day Doc.” Snoop Dogg wrote: “Happy c day @drdre”
Busta Rhymes said: IT’S OFFICIALLY DRE DAY FOLKS!! HAPPY BORN DAY TO THE BIG BRO @drdre ENJOY IT TO THE FULLEST AND MAY THE BLESSINGS CONTINUE KING!! MORE LIFE!!
Obie Trice also shared a throwback picture with the caption: “Happy Gday @drdre many more. thanks for your vibes, your realness and what you brought to the culture of hiphop music ..many many more OG. GOAT. Xzibit wrote: “Happy Birthday @drdre !! Many more to come, thank you for everything you do.”
Aftermath producer Fredwreck shared an epic picture with Dr. Dre where the two are standing in front of a huge graffiti of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige’s performance at the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show. In the caption, he wrote: “Help me wish a Happy Birthday to the greatest of all time! The Five Star Surgeon General and my friend and brother Andre Young!” Dem Jointz also posted a picture with Dre with the caption: “Happy Dre Day.”
EPMD’s Erick Sermon has shared some information about a new song of his that he says will appear on Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg new album ‘The Missionary,’ and he’s promised fans that it will be nothing short of epic.
The EPMD legend stopped by the Bootleg Kev podcast on Thursday (February 8) to give some insight into what fans can expect from his guest appearance.
“When I was here with Dre, as you see on my Instagram, it’s me and Dre in the studio and everybody and it went viral, me and Dre made five records. And he made three in one night. Off of my production though. ” said Erick Sermon. This revelation prompted Kev to remark that it was “crazy” for the N.W.A legend to have done that.
Then he continued: continued: “And then, we did another one with Snoop, that’s supposed to be on the new Snoop record, and I also did one with him, that me and him rhymed on, which was CRAZY.”
Couple of years ago, Eric Sermon posted pictures and videos with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg in the studio: “I got to L.A a day before the #superbowl ..then 2 days after that was his bday…after that .. the #sagacontinues. We worked on my new project #DYNAMICDUOS … the next day he called @snoopdogg we made something epic for him .. then we made something for him after.. I think lol. Then he says erick .. that’s 3. What’s next ? GOD doesn’t make mistakes. Thanks for the opportunity. We were friends for over 30 and never worked together.. a lot of ppl has been waiting on this to happen. Well .. here it is Thank @focus3dots @coachbernard @mikecity ….. @rance1500 @saweetie @thebrandengine @joellejames My mental health has been a factor for awhile .. thank u @drdre for changing that. # beautiful blessings. @ooogbrand @affioncrockett.”
Fresh from announcing “Gin & Juice” drink, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre hosted the 2024 Super Bowl Afterparty, to promote their new product.
Snoop and Dre performed some of their biggest hits, including “Nuthin’ but a “G” Thang,” “California Love,” “Ain’t No Fun (If The Homies Can’t Have None),” “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “The Next Episode” and “Stil D.R.E”
The California natives are also working together on a new album together titled Missionary. During an appearance on All the Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson last month, Snoop talked about the process.
“I’m in the lab with Dr. Dre right now — that’s Death Row/Aftermath,” he said. “We finishing that up right now, tidying up the pieces to that. He’s a perfectionist. The n-gga called me one day about two years ago. He was like, ‘N-gga, come over, let me do a couple of songs with you.’
“I go over there and he like, ‘N-gga, let me do your album.’ And I’m like, ‘Alright, let’s go!’ We go in, knock out a couple of songs. He hit me back: ‘I need two more days.’ I got that call probably about 85 times. This n-gga need two more days all the time.”
He continued: “But when you hear what we have and how he got me rapping, it’s like a grown Snoop Dogg. There’s some growth to him. It’s the way he selects his bars, it’s the way he uses his voice. [Dr. Dre] uses me like a f-cking robot and I love it because I love to be produced. I love to be challenged.”
JAY-Z received the 2nd annual Dr. Dre Global Impact Award during last night’s Grammy 2024 awards show to honor his impactful legacy — and brought 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy on stage to celebrate. “Thank you very much. I used to say it was a sippy cup for Blue, but Blue’s grown up now she doesn’t take sippy cups,” he began. “And she has her own Grammys.”
Then Hov continued his speech by giving Dr. Dre his flowers: “Thanks to Dr. Dre. He’s somewhere here. There he is! Andre Young, thank you sir. All the doors that you opened. Showed us that we can be a rock stars. Seeing you on Rolling Stone. When you came out West, you took it to whole new level. Put us on the covers. Put us around the world, you and Snoop, all that y’all did all these records y’all broke. Thank you for this.”
JAY-Z also used his acceptance speech at the 2024 Grammys to call out the organization by questioning the process behind the voted categories: “We want y’all to get it right. At least getting close to right. And obviously it’s subjective. Y’all don’t gotta clap at everything. Obviously it’s subjective because, you know, it’s music and it’s opinion-based. But, you know, some things — I don’t want to embarrass this young lady [Beyoncé], but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that. The most Grammys, never won album of the year. That doesn’t work.”
Yesterday, The Recording Academy (The Grammys) presented the Special Merit Awards to Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honorees Laurie Anderson, the Clark Sisters, Gladys Knight, N.W.A, Donna Summer, and Tammy Wynette. During an acceptance speech of N.W.A, Dr. Dre was absent and Ice Cube could not stop himself to throw a little joke.
Dr. Dre was a notable omission from the group of N.W.A members who were present in Los Angeles on Saturday (Feb. 4, 2024) to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Grammys. However, Ice Cube explained the icon’s absence by cracking a little joke. “My man, Dr. Dre, is not here. He wanted to make sure I let you know he’s not hating. He a billionaire. He got sh-t to do…[Laughs] We would not be here without him. We are grateful for him and his brilliance and his talent. His leadership.” said Cube.
The award was received by Ice Cube, The DOC, MC Ren, DJ Yella, Lil Eazy E and Eazy-E’s mother Kathie Wright. The CEO of Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr. also revealed the message Dr. Dre sent him before the ceremony: “I did just get a text message from Dr. Dre and I wanna share it with y’all cause I think you’ll appreciate it. It’s very short. As expected. ‘I’m honored to receive this award with my N.W.A brothers. We’ve been together for a long time so I regret not being there and being able to celebrate with you all. This ceremony falls on my daughter’s birthday and as much as I want to be with you all and all the guys, I could not break her heart. And I definitely didn’t want anyone to think that I’m on some funny style sh–t.’ Thank you everybody. Thank you N.W.A.”
You can watch the acceptance video below and check all the 2024 Grammy winners list here.
