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You Forgot About Dre: The Unauthorized Biography of Dr. Dre' and Eminem
Profiles rap artists Dr. Dre and Eminem, describing their childhood interest in music, development in the music industry, struggles against censorship, and influence on later rap groups.
139 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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June 25, 2024
A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY AND COMPARISON OF THESE TWO FIGURES
The Introduction to this 2000 book by Kelly Kenyatta states, “[This book] is the coming of age story of two young men who by physical appearances are opposites. Yet they bear stark similarities otherwise. Born to poor, teenage mothers, neither Dre nor Em was a member of America’s privileged class. Both grew up in urban areas and were exposed to violence at an early age. Both developed a love for hip-hop so great that it exceeded everything else. Having a disdain or rules and a passion for music, they both dropped out of high school to pursue rap. They have incredible focus, drive and work ethic. And their talent and zeal would propel them to achievements never before made in music…
“This book chronicles Dr. Dre’s boyhood days in Compton and his time with N. W. A. It is an account of how he, as a very young adult, dealt with the glitzy world of show business and the overwhelming pressures of fame… It examines his relationship with [Suge] Knight and other important industry figures like Eazy-E, Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur… It paints a sheer and utter portrait of Eminem, a kid born into poverty and hard luck but a person who is a survivor… It is an account of how a couple of kids from nowhere become a musical icon.”
She explains, “On February 18, 1965, Andre Young---a.k.a. Dr. Dre---was born into only a working-class family in southern California… His future in Compton was precarious, however, as he grew up in the socially- and economically-challenged town. The chances of him going astray and getting involved in crime were much greater than those of the young goy realizing his potential in the music industry… Music and sports occupied a lot of Dre’s time and kept him away from bad influences. In the 1960s, Compton was not a rough neighborhood, but rather a place of hope. Many African-American families who could leave the economically-depressed community of Watts did so en route to Compton.” (Pg. 9-11)
She notes, “Once a predominantly white community of middle-income families, whites fled Compton as more blacks moved in… Compton was becoming increasingly vulnerable and attractive to street gangs and drug dealers. Dre’s mother thought daily about the safe of her family … She met a special man with whom she … eventually married. In some ways, things couldn’t have been better for Dre who was by that time a teenager… with her new husband came three stepsisters and a stepbrother… Dred found not just a brother in his new sibling, but a future music collaborator. Dre’s new stepbrother would make a name for himself as famous rapper Warren G.” (Pg. 14)
She acknowledges, “Everything was going well for Dre musically and monetarily, he was richer than ever before but he was becoming restless and began reacting to the pressures of being a high-rolling, rap superstar… One night in January 1991, the 26-year old just exploded…the evening erupted into a violent incident that would haunt him for years to come… his eye caught 23-year old Dee Barnes, the petite host of Fox TV’s rap show ‘Pump It Up.’ Dre had been displeased with a segment Barnes had done… Dre approached her and lifted her from the floor by her hair and ear…Dre dashed after her… right into the ladies room… where he grabbed her and threw her across the floor… No one came to her rescue… the incident gave credence to rap critics’ position that misogynistic lyrics were more formidable and deleterious than the industry would admit… Barnes filed a lawsuit … against Dre… [it] was settled out of court.” (Pg. 26-28)
She continues, “An incident that grabbed the nation’s attention was Dre’s brawl with New Orleans police… Dre [and] other N.W.A. members and some friends want to see [the movie ‘Mo Money’].. but were denied admittance. They walked a few blocks to the New Orleans Sheraton Hotel where they were denied entrance… When police attempted to kick them out, an altercation occurred. An estimated 50 people got caught up in the fiasco … before 80 officers would break it up. Dre was booked for battery on a police officer, inciting a riot, criminal damage, and resisting arrest… Almost a decade later, he admits he was on a destructive path.” (Pg. 29-30)
She points out, “Dre scored big when he signed Eminem to Aftermath and worked with him on his records… Dre, together with Eminem, would further broaden the hip-hop genre… Dre and Eminem… would untie rap fans across color lines and remind the world that everything---especially music---isn’t so black and white. Many a doubter wondered if Eminem had what it takes to gain acceptance in the hard-to-earn-respect world of hardcore hip-hop. Dre wasn’t concerned for one minute about that. ‘I wasn’t worried that people would react against him because he’s white. The hardest thugs I know this this white boy’s tight.’” (Pg. 56-57)
She explains, “With the idea for his ‘Up In Smoke’ tour gelling, Dre talked to Em and Snoop about joining the tour… Fans … cheered nonstop after Dre and Snoop Dogg’s hour-long set … When Eminem took the stage, he was at his best for his 30-minute set. He performed his hot singles ‘The Real Slim Shady’ and ‘Criminal’… In his more outrageous moments, he dragged out a blow-up doll named Kim, roughed it up and tossed it to the audience. ‘Yo, Cali, lemme ask you a question,’ he yelled to the audience. ‘How many of you ever get angry? How many get so p____d off they could f_____g kill comebody?’ When the crowd responded letting him know it felt his vibe, Em yelled, ‘All right, next time go home and play this song instead.’” (Pg. 122-124)
This book---though hardly a full-sized, detailed biography of either man---will interest fans of Dre, Eminem, and Rap/Hip-Hop in general.
The Introduction to this 2000 book by Kelly Kenyatta states, “[This book] is the coming of age story of two young men who by physical appearances are opposites. Yet they bear stark similarities otherwise. Born to poor, teenage mothers, neither Dre nor Em was a member of America’s privileged class. Both grew up in urban areas and were exposed to violence at an early age. Both developed a love for hip-hop so great that it exceeded everything else. Having a disdain or rules and a passion for music, they both dropped out of high school to pursue rap. They have incredible focus, drive and work ethic. And their talent and zeal would propel them to achievements never before made in music…
“This book chronicles Dr. Dre’s boyhood days in Compton and his time with N. W. A. It is an account of how he, as a very young adult, dealt with the glitzy world of show business and the overwhelming pressures of fame… It examines his relationship with [Suge] Knight and other important industry figures like Eazy-E, Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur… It paints a sheer and utter portrait of Eminem, a kid born into poverty and hard luck but a person who is a survivor… It is an account of how a couple of kids from nowhere become a musical icon.”
She explains, “On February 18, 1965, Andre Young---a.k.a. Dr. Dre---was born into only a working-class family in southern California… His future in Compton was precarious, however, as he grew up in the socially- and economically-challenged town. The chances of him going astray and getting involved in crime were much greater than those of the young goy realizing his potential in the music industry… Music and sports occupied a lot of Dre’s time and kept him away from bad influences. In the 1960s, Compton was not a rough neighborhood, but rather a place of hope. Many African-American families who could leave the economically-depressed community of Watts did so en route to Compton.” (Pg. 9-11)
She notes, “Once a predominantly white community of middle-income families, whites fled Compton as more blacks moved in… Compton was becoming increasingly vulnerable and attractive to street gangs and drug dealers. Dre’s mother thought daily about the safe of her family … She met a special man with whom she … eventually married. In some ways, things couldn’t have been better for Dre who was by that time a teenager… with her new husband came three stepsisters and a stepbrother… Dred found not just a brother in his new sibling, but a future music collaborator. Dre’s new stepbrother would make a name for himself as famous rapper Warren G.” (Pg. 14)
She acknowledges, “Everything was going well for Dre musically and monetarily, he was richer than ever before but he was becoming restless and began reacting to the pressures of being a high-rolling, rap superstar… One night in January 1991, the 26-year old just exploded…the evening erupted into a violent incident that would haunt him for years to come… his eye caught 23-year old Dee Barnes, the petite host of Fox TV’s rap show ‘Pump It Up.’ Dre had been displeased with a segment Barnes had done… Dre approached her and lifted her from the floor by her hair and ear…Dre dashed after her… right into the ladies room… where he grabbed her and threw her across the floor… No one came to her rescue… the incident gave credence to rap critics’ position that misogynistic lyrics were more formidable and deleterious than the industry would admit… Barnes filed a lawsuit … against Dre… [it] was settled out of court.” (Pg. 26-28)
She continues, “An incident that grabbed the nation’s attention was Dre’s brawl with New Orleans police… Dre [and] other N.W.A. members and some friends want to see [the movie ‘Mo Money’].. but were denied admittance. They walked a few blocks to the New Orleans Sheraton Hotel where they were denied entrance… When police attempted to kick them out, an altercation occurred. An estimated 50 people got caught up in the fiasco … before 80 officers would break it up. Dre was booked for battery on a police officer, inciting a riot, criminal damage, and resisting arrest… Almost a decade later, he admits he was on a destructive path.” (Pg. 29-30)
She points out, “Dre scored big when he signed Eminem to Aftermath and worked with him on his records… Dre, together with Eminem, would further broaden the hip-hop genre… Dre and Eminem… would untie rap fans across color lines and remind the world that everything---especially music---isn’t so black and white. Many a doubter wondered if Eminem had what it takes to gain acceptance in the hard-to-earn-respect world of hardcore hip-hop. Dre wasn’t concerned for one minute about that. ‘I wasn’t worried that people would react against him because he’s white. The hardest thugs I know this this white boy’s tight.’” (Pg. 56-57)
She explains, “With the idea for his ‘Up In Smoke’ tour gelling, Dre talked to Em and Snoop about joining the tour… Fans … cheered nonstop after Dre and Snoop Dogg’s hour-long set … When Eminem took the stage, he was at his best for his 30-minute set. He performed his hot singles ‘The Real Slim Shady’ and ‘Criminal’… In his more outrageous moments, he dragged out a blow-up doll named Kim, roughed it up and tossed it to the audience. ‘Yo, Cali, lemme ask you a question,’ he yelled to the audience. ‘How many of you ever get angry? How many get so p____d off they could f_____g kill comebody?’ When the crowd responded letting him know it felt his vibe, Em yelled, ‘All right, next time go home and play this song instead.’” (Pg. 122-124)
This book---though hardly a full-sized, detailed biography of either man---will interest fans of Dre, Eminem, and Rap/Hip-Hop in general.
January 28, 2009
From Dr. Dre's rise from rapper, N.W.A. member, and producer to his discovery of Eminem. A tale of the mentor and his protege. The information, however, is scant. The author could have done a Google search or pasted and copied from Wikipedia for all the innovative reporting presented here. In fact, this reads like a high school English paper but with lots more typos and misuse of apostrophes. (Do they even teach proper use of apostrophes anymore? Do they even hint at it?)
Bare minimal biographical information. Focuses more on Dre and Em as rappers. Several pictures from the Up in Smoke tour which is around the time this book is concluded.
Bare minimal biographical information. Focuses more on Dre and Em as rappers. Several pictures from the Up in Smoke tour which is around the time this book is concluded.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews