Most producers and songwriters would be thrilled at the chance of working with some of the biggest names in popular music.
But it turns out that’s not the case for Dr. Dre, the legendary NWA rapper and record producer, who has helped shape the careers of artists at the beginning of their careers like Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube.
During a conversation with Kevin Hart on his Hart To Heart podcast, Dre (born Andre Romell Young), 58, revealed his preference is to work with new artists.
Then came his admission that he ‘bowed out a couple of times during my career’ from working with two of the biggest musical artists of them all: Prince and Michael Jackson.
Stunned by the revelation, Hart asked The Chronic star if he bowed out from working with Prince and Michael Jackson several times over: ‘Both of them?’ he asked.
Stunner: Dr. Dre, 58, revealed he has an aversion to working with his musical heroes in a conversation with Kevin Hart during his Hart To Heart podcast
Nodding in agreement, the Compton, California native told him: ‘Yea. yeah. They just asked me to work with them and I was just like, “What the f**k am I going to do with them?’
The Express Yourself rapper proceeded to explain how he has a set idea of his musical heroes, and that he doesn’t want to mess with that idea.
He also explained how with new artists there’s room to mold that artist into something that can be un expected and exciting.
But, according to Dre, that’s not the case with a superstar artist with a proven track record.
‘What the f**k am I going to do with them? Those are my heroes,’ he reiterated.
‘But you’re Dr. Dre, Hart said, in bode of confidence for the legendary producer and song crafter.
‘Stop, stop,’ Dre shot back, before adding another A-list name to the list of artists he turned down.
‘Most recently, Stevie Wonder,’ Dre said, which again left Hart in a state of shock that he would have a gravitas to turn down such an icon.
‘They just asked me to work with them and I was just like, “What the f**k am I going to do with them?’, Dre said when explaining why he refused to work with his musical heroes like Michael Jackson and Prince
Caught off guard: Hart was stunned to hear of the list of superstars Dre refused to work with, but then understood his rationale when he explained his reasoning
‘My entire life and career has been dealing with and working with new artists. That’s what I like,’ he said, ‘Nobody comes in with an agenda . These mother f**kers show up on time,’ Dr. Dre said of his working relationships with new artists
It’s at this point that Dr. Dre expressed his exact mindset to how he has picked the people he has worked with over the years.
‘My entire life and career has been dealing with and working with new artists. That’s what I like,’ he said, ‘Nobody comes in with an agenda . These mother f**kers show up on time.’
To further explain his working relationships, he equated his dream scenario to a sculptor with a ball of clay, and the endless possibilities that can come about from the artistry involved.
‘It’s a ball of clay when they walk in the room. You can just form it and do what you want. That’s what I want. Everybody else, especially my heroes, they’re coming in and there’s a set plan as to how the s**t should sound,’ he added. I can’t explore.’
Dre first gained prominence in the musical industry by collaborating with a group of like-minded youngsters from Compton, some of which were still in high school at the time, that would ended up forming NWA.
Credited with being among the original architects of hip hop’s gangsta rap sub-genre, the group made waves across the world with their seminal debut studio album, Straight Outta Compton (1988), which seemed to harness the rising anger of the urban youth with its powerful messages, beats and rhymes.
Along with Dr. Dre, NWA made stars of Ice Cube, Eazy E, MC Ren, DJ Yella and Ruthless rapper The D.O.C.
The quick rise to superstardom, via the underground and word of mouth from fans, was likely where Dre learned how he can help shape a new artist.
Breakout: Dr. Dre first gained prominence in the music industry as the producer and rapper of NWA, which featured fellow start-ups Ice Cube, Eazy E, MC Ren, DJ Yella, who are pictured with collaborators, rapper Laylaw from Above The Law and The D.O.C
Collaborating: The legendary producer has helped mold such new artists as Eminem, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Ice Cube; he is seen with Eminem in January 2000
That idea of helping mold a rapper without any preconceived destination other than making good music and lyrics, would serve Dre well, considering he has since gone on to work with relative unknowns like Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar and the D.O.C., among others.
Eventually, during their conversation, the Grammy winner would then go back to his concept of not wanting to work with his musical heroes.
‘These are my heroes. I like the idea of what I grew up listening to, and I want to keep it like that. I don’t want to f**k up that idea and that look,’ he explained again.
‘I like the way I feel about Stevie, Prince, Michael, Bruce Springsteen, and all of these amazing artists. I like the way I feel about them, and that could change by working with them.’
Dr. Dre ended this particular subject by sharing that he doesn’t need the money and he doesn’t need those superstar artist ‘on my resume’ to feel relevant.