If there’s anything to learn from a man that shaped an industry, it’s how to motivate yourself for the day ahead right from the moment you wake. With an estimated net worth of $820 million, Dr. Dre has some wisdom we could all use for lasting success in our everyday lives.
Born Andre Romelle Young in California 1965, Dr. Dre is an American rapper, record producer and entrepreneur. He started his career as the member of electro group World Class Wreckin Cru in 1983. He joined influential gangsta rap group N.W.A with Ice Cube in 1999 and quickly gained major success.
After working with others for many years, Dre pursued a solo career in the 1990’s with his album, The Chronic which made him one of the best-selling American music artists of 1993. It earned him a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for the single Let Me Ride as well as several accolades for the single Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang.
During the 2000s Dre focused on producing other artists, occasionally contributing vocals while becoming a driving force in the industry. He mentored and worked with many successful musicians including Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar. He has won six Grammy Awards and was ranked number 56 on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Dre has also had acting roles in movies such as Set It Off, The Wash and Training Day. The rapper launched his own brand of headphones, Beats by Dre, in 2008. The successful business was purchased by technology giant Apple for $3 billion in 2014 – a deal which made Dre the richest man in hip hop, surpassing P Diddy at the time.
Dre has arguably had the greatest influence ever on the American hip hop industry with motivation a baseline essential behind his success. These words will prove it, as well as drive you to follow your passion from the moment you wake up. Every. Single. Day.
1. I’ve gone seventy-nine hours without sleep, creating. When that flow is going, it’s almost like a high. You don’t want it to stop. You don’t want to go to sleep for fear of missing something.
2. When the ideas are coming, I don’t stop until the ideas stop because that train doesn’t come along all the time.
3. They wanna hang us, see us dead, or enslave us, keep us trapped in the same place we raised in. Then they wonder why we act so outrageous, run around stressed out and pull out gauges.
4. You just have to find that thing that’s special about you that distinguishes you from all the others, and through true talent, hard work, and passion, anything can happen.
5. People are always coming up to me, thinking I’ve got some magic wand that can make them a star and I want to tell them that no one can do that. Making hit records is not that easy. But it took me time to realize that myself.
6. Kids are the ultimate form of motivation. They’re watching. They’re mimicking. They’re an extension of you. So you have to win.
7. Clear communication. Respect. A lot of laughter. And a lot of orgasms. That’s what makes a marriage work.
8. Every person walking has some kind of talent that they can get on tape.
9. Never let me slip cuz if I slip then I’m slippin’.
10. I have a high tolerance for pain – both physical and mental.
11. I’m never gonna stop music, it’s like air to me.
12. Don’t be worried about the next man – make sure your business tight.
13. Everything that I do is for sound goals. It comes from my gut. When I’m sitting in the studio, a mix isn’t done till I feel it in my gut.
14. “I have been in the game for 10 years making rap tunes… Ever since honey was wearing Sassoons.
15. The only two things that scare me are God and the IRS.
16. I want to set the record straight for everybody who’s been waiting to hear my music. The song that’s on the internet is an incomplete song that I’m still working on. When it’s ready, you’ll be hearing it from me.
17. In my opinion, some of the hip-hop records that come out, people are willing to compromise. I’m not.
18. When I’m lovin’ these hoes, there ain’t no love involved.
19. I’m bad for your health, like puttin’ a pistol up to your face and blastin’ yourself.
20. If there were no guns, we couldn’t talk about it, … You turn on the TV, you see soldiers marching with guns. We only talk about things that are happening.
21. Anyone that’s trying to do something to improve sound… that’s all good.
22. Try to be the king, but the ace is back.
23. I’ve never considered myself a rapper. I know how to do it. I know how to make my voice project, and I know how to stay on beat and what have you, but I’ve never considered myself a rapper.
24. You got to realize that when I was 20 years old, I had a house, a Mercedes, a Corvette and a million dollars in the bank before I could buy alcohol legally.
25. When I think of the future, I think a lot of Quincy Jones and how he is an inspiration. Look at the quality of his work over so many years. He didn’t even make his best record, ‘Thriller,’ until he was 50. That gives me something to look forward to. Nothing pulls you back into the studio more than the belief that your best record is still ahead.
26. I’m gonna try and change the course of hip hop again.
27. I love the new technology. New things give you a reason to want to go to the studio. New challenges mean you have to keep up, you know?
28. Hear what the artists hear, and listen to the music the way they should, the way I do.
29. Engineering and mixing are absolutely key. Once a song is done, for me personally, it’s usually two or three days to get the mix down.
30. I’m high off the indo creepin’ with the quickness to the cut, bust one to his head while he munches on that donut.
31. It’s always been difficult to make a good record. To be perfectly honest with you, it’s really about the person that’s pushing the buttons. No matter what type of equipment you have, you still have to have a certain talent to be able to make a good record.
32. I believe in reincarnation, and I believe I’ve lived quite a few lives.
33. I think it’s incredible what I’ve done. A lot of sweat. But as an innovator, I look back and can’t help but go, ‘Damn, there’s things I could’ve done better, you know?'
34. Even when I was close to defeat I rose to my feet.
35. It’s always weird when people approach me to make an investment. I tell them, ‘I don’t need any more money. I’m good.’ Then I wait for their expression. That part is entertaining, because people look at you like you’re crazy when you say you don’t need any more money. Who says that?
36. The record business. It’s exactly what it is – Record-Business. You have to take care of both, or they won’t take care of you.
37. I work hard making music – that’s how I earn a living.
38. Black women are the strongest most hardworking people on earth.