Before he made a billion dollars from headphones, Dr. Dre was going down in Hip-Hop history for his work with N.W.A and introducing the world to Snoop Dogg and Eminem. Add in production for Jay Z, Nas, and others, and the legacy just grows.
Earlier this week, it was announced Dre was working with a Dallas-bred rapper named Justin Mohrle. Where will Mohrle rank among Dr. Dre’s protégés over the years? Only time will tell, but a look at some of the Aftermath students thus far provides some clues.
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Photo: Facebook
The Game
Game was one of the many shelved Aftermath in-house acts before 50 Cent allegedly put him in G-Unit. Dre had a heavy hand in his Aftermath debut, The Documentary. Can you believe it’s been 10 years since then?
Eve
Before Eve was Ruff Ryding, she was going by the name of Eve of Destruction on Dr. Dre’s 1996 compilation, Dr. Dre Presents…The Aftermath. Despite the split, they reconnected for 2001’s “Let Me Blow Ya Mind.”
photo: WENN
50 Cent
Fif already had a vision and a team when labels were courting him. If anything, he was Jam Master Jay’s protégé. But after Paul Rosenberg convinced Eminem to listen to 50 Cent Is The Future, Em put the bug in Dre’s ear, and the marketing muscle and production of Interscope/Aftermath/Shady helped 50 reach superstar status.
Bishop Lamont
Bishop Lamont reportedly met Dre on the set of Game’s “Dreams” video around 2005. But after some impressive mixtapes, the relationship ended amicably with Aftermath sending a cease and desist letter to L.A. radio station Power 106 for playing Bishop’s “Grow Up” single.
Stu B Doo
Stuart “Stu B Doo” Bullard was one of the co-producers behind the scenes at Aftermath. He was credited for work on “Murder Was The Case,” “Keep Their Heads Ringin’” and Ras Kass’ “Ghetto Fabulous” before leaving to pursue solo endeavors in 1999.
Mel Man
From around 1997 through 2000, you could find former Pittsburgh rapper Mel-Man’s name in the credits of various Aftermath productions including “Forgot About Dre” and “Still D.R.E.”
Slim Da Mobster
From roughly 2010 through 2012, Slim Da Mobster popped up on some tracks that were rumored to be on the since-shelved Detox album. He posted a screen capture of a text message asking for his release from Aftermath, and is currently doing some time behind bars.
Earl Hayes
Hayes was supposed to be part of a joint venture between Timbaland and Dr. Dre. Things fizzled, and he moved on to Floyd Mayweather’s Money Team. On December 8, 2014, Hayes shot himself and his wife Stephanie Moseley in what authorities believed was a murder-suicide.
Hittman
After being featured on 10 of the tracks from Dr. Dre’s 2001 album, Hittman said he opted out of his Aftermath contract. Hittman was last seen featured on the track “The Humble Hustle” by Asoka.
Bud’da
It’s not really fair to cal Bud’da one of Dre’s protégés, since he had hits before and after linking with The Doctor. But Bud’da held down five tracks on Dr. Dre Presents…The Aftermath, including “Been There, Done That.” He’s gone on to work with Aaliyah, Snoop Dogg, Dawn Robinson, and others.
Focus…
Focus was part of Aftermath’s in-house production team before leaving to start his own imprint in 2009. He’s one of the few artists to leave Aftermath amicably and return.
photo: WENN
Eminem
There’s not much you don’t already know about Eminem and Dr. Dre’s relationship. Dre only helped Em become the second best-selling male artist of all time.
Snoop Dogg
After debuting with “Deep Cover” in 1992, Dr. Dre and Snoop continue to occasionally work and perform together after both leaving the Death Row Records empire they helped build.
Justin Mohrle
Thanks to D magazine, we know Justin Mohrle is a 23-year-old, white rapper who was introduced to Dr. Dre by D.O.C. We also know he’s going through the process of contributing to Dre and other artist’s music—including BJ the Chicago Kid and Gwen Stefani.
