Major Controversies Surrounding Dr. Dre: A Detailed Timeline
A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Dr. Dre.
Dr. Dre, born Andre Romell Young, is a highly influential American rapper, record producer, music executive, and actor. He launched his career with the World Class Wreckin' Cru and later gained prominence as a member of the pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A., which popularized explicit lyrics depicting the realities of street violence. In the early 1990s, Dr. Dre significantly contributed to the development and widespread appeal of West Coast G-funk, a distinctive hip-hop subgenre known for its synthesizer-driven sound and laid-back production style. He is the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, and co-founded Death Row Records.
1990: Tairrie B's Assault Claim
In 1990, former labelmate Tairrie B claimed that Dr. Dre assaulted her at a party.
1990: Tairrie B Claims Dr. Dre Assaulted Her
In 1990, former labelmate Tairrie B claimed that Dr. Dre assaulted her at a post-Grammy party.
January 27, 1991: Dr. Dre Assaults Dee Barnes
On January 27, 1991, Dr. Dre assaulted television host Dee Barnes, resulting in a lawsuit and subsequent legal repercussions.
October 1992: Guilty Plea in Battery Case
In October 1992, Dr. Dre pleaded guilty to battery of a police officer.
1993: Battery Conviction
In 1993, Dr. Dre was convicted of battery following an altercation outside his home, where he was accused of breaking a man's jaw.
January 10, 1994: Arrest for High-Speed Chase
On January 10, 1994, Dr. Dre was arrested after leading police on a 90 mph chase in Beverly Hills, with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit.
September 1994: Sentenced to Prison
In September 1994, Dr. Dre was sentenced to eight months in prison after pleading no contest to violating his parole conditions from a 1993 battery conviction; he was also fined and ordered to attend an alcohol education program.
1995: Alleged Discovery of Burning Man
In 1995, an urban legend claimed Dr. Dre discovered Burning Man during a music video shoot.
2002: Copyright Lawsuit Filed by Sa Re Ga Ma
In 2002, Sa Re Ga Ma, an Indian film and music company, filed a copyright lawsuit against Aftermath Entertainment, alleging an uncredited sample of Lata Mangeshkar's song in Truth Hurts' "Addictive".
September 2003: Former Associates Complain About Unreceived Compensation
In September 2003, a group of disgruntled former associates of Dr. Dre complained in The Source magazine that they had not received their full due for work on the label.
November 2004: Attack at Vibe Magazine Awards
In November 2004, Dr. Dre was attacked at the Vibe magazine awards show by a fan, resulting in G-Unit rapper Young Buck stabbing the attacker.
September 2005: Attacker Sentenced to Prison
In September 2005, Jimmy James Johnson, who attacked Dr. Dre in November 2004, was sentenced to a year in prison and ordered to stay away from Dr. Dre until 2008.
2011: Burning Man Urban Legend
In 2011, an urban legend surfaced about Dr. Dre starting Burning Man in 1995.
March 2015: Michel'le Accuses Dr. Dre of Domestic Violence
In March 2015, Michel'le accused Dr. Dre of subjecting her to domestic violence during their relationship, though she did not initiate legal action.
August 2015: Dr. Dre Addresses His Abusive Past
In August 2015, Dr. Dre, in an interview with Rolling Stone, lamented his abusive past, acknowledging some of the allegations against him and expressing regret.
August 21, 2015: Dr. Dre Apologizes for His Abusive Past
On August 21, 2015, Dr. Dre issued a statement to The New York Times apologizing to the women he had hurt and expressing deep regret for his past actions.
October 30, 2015: Jerry Heller Files Defamation Lawsuit
On October 30, 2015, Jerry Heller, co-founder of Ruthless Records, sued Dr. Dre and others over his portrayal in the film "Straight Outta Compton", alleging defamation and copyright infringement.
2015: Public Apology and Domestic Violence Accusations
In 2015, following the release of his album 'Compton,' Dr. Dre issued a public apology regarding his past actions. Also, in 2015, ex-partner Michel'le accused him of domestic violence.
April 4, 2016: Suge Knight Accuses Dre of Kill-For-Hire Plot
On April 4, 2016, Suge Knight accused Dr. Dre and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department of plotting to have him killed in a 2014 shooting.
June 2016: Lawsuit Criticized in Court
In June 2016, the lawsuit filed by Jerry Heller was taken to court, where a judge criticized the filing.
2016: Release of Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le
In 2016, the biopic Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le was released, portraying the abusive relationship between Dr. Dre and Michel'le. Dre threatened a lawsuit but never took action.
2017: Dr. Dre Discusses Dee Barnes Incident in The Defiant Ones
In the 2017 film The Defiant Ones, Dr. Dre explained about the Dee Barnes incident again, calling it a low point in his life, expressing remorse, and condemning violence against women.
June 26, 2018: Ordered to Pay $25 Million in Beats Lawsuit
On June 26, 2018, Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine were ordered to pay $25 million to Steven Lamar for unpaid royalties related to the design of Beats headphones.
October 2018: Lawsuit Dropped, Heller's Estate Owes Millions
In October 2018, Jerry Heller's lawsuit against Dr. Dre was dropped, costing Heller's estate $35 million for punitive and $75 million for compensatory damages.
November 2020: Nicole Accuses Dr. Dre of Violence and Infidelity
In November 2020, Nicole Plotzker-Young filed legal claims accusing Dr. Dre of verbal violence and infidelity during their marriage, which Dr. Dre's representative denied.
2022: Apple Subtracted 200 Million from Beats Deal
In 2022, it was found that Apple had subtracted $200 million from the Beats deal after Tyrese Gibson revealed the news of the acquisition on social media.
October 2024: Dr. Dre Sued by Marriage Counselor
In October 2024, Dr. Dre was hit with a $10 million lawsuit by his former marriage counselor, alleging threatening and harassing messages.
