Dr. Dre\'s First Official Release

¶ … Dr. Dre's first official release "Straight Outta Compton" was aired, it became an instant classic and sold over two million copies. However, its gangsta rap lyrics and negative themes instantly caused a controversy. Despite this disagreement, Dr. Dr., born Andre Romell Young, says on "My Space," "It's always been my desire to make music for the world." Is this true? Is Dr. Dre's music universal or just for a select crowd?

Rap is arguably the most dominant force in popular culture," and American teens rate it their favorite musical genre. It has attained global acceptance, with almost all countries worldwide featuring it in one form or another. Gangsta rap ranks as the music's dominant subgenre; artists offering other types of this music are categorized as either "alternative" or part of the "non-gangsta wing of hip-hop."

Yet, this does not mean that everyone accepts this form of music.

When hip-hop music gained popularity in the early '70s, most people just responded to the music. Over time, however, the term "hip-hop" has evolved into a specific culture typified by performers with sagging, low-hanging, pants, hats to the back, laceless sneakers, hoods, and loud radios. Rap is now a part of this culture. As Garofalo (1990) explains: "Rap music must be understood as one cultural element within a larger social movement known as hip-hop."

Also over time, the words have begun to be noticed as much, if not more, than the music. Hip-hop has become the "fundamental matrix of self-expression for this whole generation"

The lyrics frequently deal with the inner-city issues of poverty, drugs, violence, poor education, family problems and racial tension. Beyond the music, rap serves as a protest of American racism and discrimination.

Many people have problems accepting the messages within the music that go beyond the issues of racism. They state that gansta artists, including Dr. Dre, demean women and condone violence and drugs. As noted by Suazo, "Dr. Dre and Snoopy Dog's most popular song "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" is a misogynistic anthem."

Now you know I ain't with that *****, Lieutenant

Ain't no ***** good enough to get burnt while I'm up in it

(Yeah) and that's realer than Real-Deal Holyfield

And now you hooka's and ho's know how I feel

Well if it's good enough to get broke off a proper chunk

I'll take a small piece of some of that funky stuff.

Dr. Dre's gangsta rap and own variations of sound called G. Funk are hardcore but warning stories of the criminal mind that celebrate the hedonistic, amoral side of gang life.

Beyond the reaction to racism and discrimination, many critics feel that rappers have gone beyond society's limits to entertain America's youth. Clergy decry the satanic and obscene content. For example, Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie states that "the vehicle of dissemination (for youth) is 'gangsta rap,' a type of music that is so filthy and vile that it far exceeds what even the most tolerant parent might accept as an inevitable result of the generation gap"

Vibe Magazine writer Kevin Powell states that the hard-core side of the hip-hop genre has gone too far. It influenced black children in a negative way. "It's made us think that being hard is the sole definition of being black in the 1990s. it's almost as if we've become the minstrels of the 1990s. White people are sitting back and saying let's watch the *****s wave guns in videos and talk, and grab their crotches and amuse us" (Sims, 1993).

In an interview Dr. Dre states, "I wanted to go all the way left, everybody trying to do this black power and *****, I was like let's give 'em an alternative." On his "My Space" website, he includes an interview where he comments: "Not trying to sound arrogant, but as a fan of rap, I just wasn't hearing much music that I thought was moving the world and that's what I wanted to create."

Dr. Dre has not come out with an album since 2001. Instead, he has been doing the production and promotion for other artists. He also collaborates with other musicians, such as Elizondo to product Eminem's single "The Real Slim Shady. He hopes to get out another album in 2008, which would have several different contributors. Even he admits that his message has mellowed out since his first hits in the '90s, Regarding earlier years he says: "That was my past. What I thought was the thing to do then. I mean, I think 'Straight Outta Compton' was a classic hip-hop album. But I do look back on a lot of the things we were saying and doing then and go, "Damn!." But the ***** was dope at the time." Would he ever do that same material now? "No. No way. I'm more into totally positive moves."

Admittedly, not everyone was or continues to be keen on Dr. Dre and similar musicians. As with every form of music, some more than others, there is a select group of people who follow it for enjoyment and appreciation or because it gives them a means of expression. This does not mean, however, that his music has not made a strong impression on the present-day and future of music.