Hip-hop super star Dr. Dre has hit the #1 spot on the UK album charts with his third solo LP Compton. It marks the first time Dre (real name Andre Romelle Young) has reached the top of the UK album charts.
Compton boasts an array of collaborations and featured artists including Kendrick Lamar, Xzibit, Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg. Inspired by the new N.W.A. movie ‘Straight Outta Compton’, the album is the first full-length release from Dre in 16 years since the 1999 release of 2001.
The rapper is reportedly worth over $700 million after selling his company Beats Electronics to Apple for a staggering $3 billion. Dre has decided to donate all royalties earned from his album to the city of Compton to fund a new performing arts facility.
Speaking to Zane Lowe on the Beats 1 international radio station, Dre said he ‘decided to donate all of my artist royalties from the sale of this album to help fund a new performing arts and entertainment facility for the kids in Compton.’
The Mayor of Compton has responded by praising ‘The Next Episode’ producer, ‘I’m honoured that Mr. Young has decided to make a significant investment in his community.’ She went on to state ‘He clearly has a heart for Compton, especially our youth. I believe this performing arts centre will provide a pathway for creative expression, exposure and training to the myriad of industries that support arts, entertainment and technology – while providing a much needed safe haven for our youth.’
Compton track listing:
1. Intro
2. Talk About It (ft. King Mez & Justus)
3. Genocide (ft. Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius & Candice Pillay)
4. It’s All On Me (ft. Justus & BJ The Chicago Kid)
5. All In A Day’s Work (ft. Anderson .Paak & Marsha Ambrosius)
6. Darkside/Gone (ft. King Mez, Marsha Ambrosius & Kendrick Lamar)
7. Loose Cannons (ft. Xzibit & Cold 187um)
8. Issues (ft. Ice Cube & Anderson .Paak)
9. Deep Water (ft. Kendrick Lamar & Justus)
10. One Shot One Kill (ft. Jon Connor & Snoop Dogg)
11. Just Another Day (ft. The Game & Asia Bryant)
12. For The Love Of Money (ft. Jill Scott & Jon Connor)
13. Satisfiction (ft. Snoop Dogg, Marsha Ambrosius & King Mez)
14. Animals (ft. Anderson .Paak)
15. Medicine Man (ft. Eminem, Candice Pillay & Anderson .Paak)
16. Talking To My Diary
‘Straight Outta Compton’ captures the story of controversial rap group N.W.A. which was comprised of members Dr Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, MC Ren and the late Eazy E. N.W.A. were considered pioneers of gangsta rap and west coast hip-hop, gaining much notoriety from explicit lyrics, violence and drugs.