Dr. Dre is 61 years old as of October 2026. He was born on 18 February 1965.
revolutionising West Coast hip-hop through N.W.A and G-funk production, then discovering Eminem and 50 Cent via Aftermath Entertainment
Quick facts
Date of birth18 February 1965
Age61
NationalityAmerican
BirthplaceCompton, United States
Editor's Take:
Dre's significance lies in two distinct waves of influence. First, as N.W.A's sonic architect, he weaponised studio craft to make gangsta rap commercially viable without radio support, drawing FBI attention in the process. His G-funk template—synthesizer-driven, languid, menacing—became the West Coast sound. Second, as Aftermath's creative director, he shifted from performing to talent cultivation, discovering both Eminem and 50 Cent whilst producing for Kendrick Lamar. He accumulated seven Grammys and co-founded Beats Electronics. Yet his legacy carries documented accusations of violence against multiple women, for which he eventually apologised in 2015.
Key Milestones
1987: Co-founded gangsta rap group N.W.A
1992: Released debut solo album The Chronic
1996: Established Aftermath Entertainment record label
1998: Signed Eminem as Aftermath artist
Andre Romell Young (born February 18, 1965), known professionally as Dr. Dre (or simply Dre; ), is an American rapper, record producer, record executive, and actor.
Dr. Dre co-founded the gangsta rap group N.W.A in 1987, whose album Straight Outta Compton (1989) popularised explicit street violence narratives in hip-hop.
He pioneered West Coast G-funk production in the early 1990s, characterised by synthesizer foundations and slow, heavy beats.
Dre founded Aftermath Entertainment in 1996 after leaving Death Row Records, later signing Eminem (1998) and 50 Cent (2002).
Career highlights
1989Straight Outta Compton: N.W.A's breakthrough album
1992The Chronic released: debut solo album
1993Grammy for rap: Let Me Ride win
1996Aftermath Entertainment founded: own record label
19992001 album: second solo studio release
Did you know?Dre was a diver on his school swim team before frequent absences jeopardised his position.
