Dr. Dre made headlines again in 2026 when Forbes named him on its billionaires list in March, more than a decade after Apple bought Beats, the headphone brand he co-founded with Jimmy Iovine. Still busy behind the boards, he has recently worked with Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Marsha Ambrosius, and launched the Still G.I.N. brand with Snoop.
From Compton DJ to the producer who shaped West Coast hip-hop and discovered a generation of superstars, few careers in music are as influential. Here is his story. Browse our rap and hip-hop collection for more tribute designs.
Dr. Dre Fact File
| Full name | Andre Romell Young |
| Born | 18 February 1965 (age 61) |
| Place of birth | Compton, California, USA |
| Occupation | Rapper, record producer, label founder, entrepreneur |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1984-present |
| Genres | West Coast hip-hop, G-funk, gangsta rap |
| Labels | Ruthless, Death Row, Aftermath, Interscope |
| Groups | World Class Wreckin' Cru, N.W.A |
| Nickname | Dre, The Mechanic |
Career History
| Years | Label | Key albums |
|---|---|---|
| 1984-1986 | Kru-Cut | World Class Wreckin' Cru releases |
| 1987-1991 | Ruthless | Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A), Efil4zaggin (N.W.A) |
| 1991-1996 | Death Row, Interscope | The Chronic, Doggystyle (as producer) |
| 1996-present | Aftermath, Interscope | 2001, Compton, plus landmark records for Eminem, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar |
Only three solo albums in over 40 years, but his fingerprints are on many of the biggest hip-hop records ever made as a producer and label boss.
Early Years in Compton
Andre Young grew up in Compton and fell in love with DJing as a teenager. In 1984 he joined the electro group World Class Wreckin' Cru, honing his skills on the turntables and in the studio. He then co-founded N.W.A, whose 1988 album Straight Outta Compton put West Coast rap on the map, with Dre crafting the hard-hitting production.
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The Chronic and the G-Funk Sound
In 1991 Dre co-founded Death Row Records, and his solo debut The Chronic (1992) introduced the world to G-funk, a laid-back sound built on deep bass and funk samples. "Let Me Ride" earned him a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. The album also launched Snoop Dogg, whose debut Doggystyle (1993) Dre produced.
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Aftermath and the Superstar Signings
Dre founded Aftermath Entertainment in 1996, and the label became a hit factory. He signed Eminem in 1998, released his own classic 2001 in 1999 and won Producer of the Year at the 2001 Grammys. 50 Cent followed in 2002, and later Kendrick Lamar and Anderson .Paak. In 2015 he released Compton alongside the biopic Straight Outta Compton.
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Later Career and Legacy
In February 2022 Dre led the Super Bowl LVI half-time show with Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent, which became the first half-time show to win a Primetime Emmy. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March 2024, and his influence on how hip-hop sounds is still everywhere.
Honours
Grammy Awards
- 7 wins from 26 nominations
- Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (2001)
- Best Rap Album for Eminem's Relapse and Best R&B Album for Anderson .Paak's Ventura
Other Honours
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee as a member of N.W.A (2016)
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2024)
- The Recording Academy's Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, created in his honour in 2023
- Primetime Emmy for the Super Bowl LVI half-time show
Away From the Spotlight
Dre co-founded Beats Electronics with Jimmy Iovine in 2006, and Apple acquired the company in 2014. He has funded a performing arts centre at Compton High School.
FAQs
How old is Dr. Dre?
Dr. Dre is 61 years old, born on 18 February 1965 in Compton, California.
What is Dr. Dre's real name?
His real name is Andre Romell Young.
How many albums has Dr. Dre released?
He has released three solo studio albums: The Chronic (1992), 2001 (1999) and Compton (2015).
How many Grammys has Dr. Dre won?
According to the Recording Academy, Dr. Dre has won seven Grammy Awards.
Is Dr. Dre a billionaire?
Yes. Forbes added him to its 2026 billionaires list.
Who did Dr. Dre discover?
He helped launch Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar, among others.
Shop the Dr. Dre Collection
Our fan-made tribute designs celebrate Dr. Dre's legendary career, printed to order on comfortable hoodies and T-shirts.
Dr. Dre Men's T-Shirt
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Dr. Dre Men's Hoodie
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Explore more in our Music and Rap and Hip-Hop collections, or design your own with our custom name hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Snoop Dogg Career Story and Eminem Career Story.
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