Dr. Dre is following in the footsteps of rap peers like Ice Cube, 2Pac and Snoop Dogg as the West Coast legend was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Dre officially received the 2,775th star during a star-studded presentation on Tuesday afternoon (March 19). Friends and hip-hop associates who have been in Dre’s corner for decades, like Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Eminem, Jimmy Iovine and more, were in attendance.
The production icon took the podium after Iovine and Snoop Dogg showered Dr. Dre with love and appreciation for what he’s given to hip-hop.
“Growing up in Compton, I never imagined that I would one day be represented here among some of my childhood heroes,” he began.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to make a living doing exactly what I love to do. How about that? Isn’t that the dream?” Dre asked the crowd. “Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of finding and nurturing new talent as well as pushing the boundaries in hip-hop both in content and substance.”
Dr. Dre continued: “But I’m most proud of elevating the sound and clarity of how we experience hip-hop. Getting that thing right is one of my greatest achievements. I love that this honor is unique to Los Angeles and brings fans from all over the world to connect with their favorite artists. I’ll be here forever.”
The superproducer broke through as the sonic architect and co-founder of the seminal rap group N.W.A. He released his The Chronic acclaimed debut album in 1992, which reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
Dre left N.W.A. and went to crank out anthems for Death Row Records with fellow rap legends like Snoop, 2Pac and plenty more. With support from Interscope co-founder Jimmy Iovine, Dre launched Aftermath Entertainment in 1996 and is credited with the discovery of Eminem and 50 Cent.
Dr. Dre earned his first No. 1 atop the Billboard Hot 100 with 2Pac’s “California Love” in 1995. Other No. 1 hits on Dre’s decorated résumé include 50 Cent’s “In Da Club,” Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair” and Eminem’s “Crack A Bottle.” As a credited artist, he also reached the Hot 100 apex as part of BLACKstreet’s “No Diggity” in 1996.
Billboard named Dr. Dre as the greatest rap producer of all-time as the 59-year-old topped our list in the No. 1 slot last year.
Watch footage of the Hollywood Walk of Fame presentation below.
