Dre has been selling hit records since the early 1980's. he is best known for creating the west coast sound in gangsta rap. Instead of using samples Dre would usually hire session musicians to replay obscure hit funk tunes.
Dre became famous as a member of iconic gangsta rap group N.W.A, continuing his success as a best-selling solo rapper, and most famously, the co-founder of Death Row Records with Suge Knight and the founder of Aftermath Entertainment. He is most notable for having launched the careers of rap superstars Snoop Dogg, The Game and Eminem, and is widely regarded as one of hip hop's greatest producers, noted for perfecting synthesizers, keyboards, and heavy bass into his hip-hop beats. The artists on his sizeable Aftermath roster today include multi-platinum artists such as Eminem, 50 Cent, and more recently Busta Rhymes, Eve, The Game and of course Dr. Dre himself.

Dr. Dre's albums The Chronic and 2001 were both critical and commercial successes, and the former is credited with revolutionizing hip hop by beginning West Coast G-funk's four-year dominance of mainstream rap (1992-96) and having a lasting influence in its sound.