Dr. Dre debuts "Detox" in Dr. Pepper ad

It may just be a few seconds of music, but Dr. Dre fans will remember the new Dr. Pepper ad as the spot where they heard the first officially released beats from his much-delayed album "Detox."

The L.A.-based hip-hop producer appears in the last installment of an ad campaign entitled "Trust Me, I'm A Doctor," and teases music from the long-awaited album, currently slated for a late 2009 release on Interscope. The commercial will begin airing on Monday.

"Scientific tests prove when you drink Dr. Pepper slow, the 23 flavors taste even better. For me, slow always produces a hit," Dr. Dre says in the commercial, before stepping behind a DJ booth, putting on a pair of his own signature "Beats" headphones and slowing down the sped-up techno song that's playing by placing a can of Dr. Pepper over the record. The new track comes on, the party goes wild and Dre states "Slower is better -- trust me, I'm a doctor."

Other spots in the campaign feature hoops icon Julius Erving (a.k.a. "Dr. J"), Kelsey Grammer (a.k.a. "Dr. Frasier Crane") and Gene Simmons (a.k.a. "Doctor Love").

Source - http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE54S0C920090529

50 Cent, Eminem On Relationship With Dr. Dre: 'We Understand Our Positions'

'When [we] come together, I'm actually the smallest person in our circle,' 50 says of Em and Dre.

By Shaheem Reid

Two-thirds of the infamous "Three-headed Monster" were out in New York this week: Eminem appeared on BET's "106 & Park" and brought out G-Unit general 50 Cent as a surprise guest to help share the triumph of Em's Relapse debuting at #1 on the Billboard albums chart.

"I think we're absolutely in a great space, considering his project is where it's at, #1. And it's working," 50 said about the "monster" that is him, Eminem and Dr. Dre. "Until they find a collaboration of artists that work together as well as we work together, I don't think we got issues."

50 said he and the two guys that signed him work so well together because everybody knows their roles.

"One of the most important portions of our relationships is us understanding our positions," Fif explained. "I'm like King Kong when I'm by myself, and when [me, Em and Dre] come back, come together, I'm actually the smallest person in our circle. I get a chance to be down to earth."

So if Fif is the hairy beast that terrified the natives of Skull Island as well as the visitors of the Empire State Building, Em says he's the creature that blew fire and stomped through Japan.

"Godzilla? Maybe Godzilla," Em smiled about what creature he might be. "I don't know. I think the best thing about the combination of me, 50 and Dre is that we take criticism from each other, we listen to input. We're always trying to do better."

So where was Dr. Dre? Maybe working. Both 50 and Slim Shady assured the live audience and the fans at home the legendary producer's long-awaited Detox album is well underway, and on its way.

"I heard eight records," 50 revealed. He also said that Dre has just under a dozen songs finished.

"There's probably 10 records," Eminem confirmed.

Source - http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1612353/20090528/dr_dre.jhtml

Dawaun Parker on the making of 'Relapse' and what he’s learned from Dr. Dre

Under the aegis of legendary beatmaker Dr. Dre, Dawaun Parkerhas spent the last four years in a residency of sorts. But with first-week sales of Eminem’s “Relapse” estimated at an excess of 600,000 copies sold, it may signal that the Berklee College graduate is ready for board certification. After all, the 26-year-old multi-instrumentalist received co-producer credit on 14 of 15 tracks on Slim Shady’s comeback, including lead singles “We Made You” and “Crack a Bottle” — the latter of which shattered records for most first-week downloads sold.

While most producers spend years shopping beat tapes or forming groups in the hopes of catching a break, Parker’s path has been relatively bloodless: Scooped up a mere two days after graduating from the prestigious New England conservatory, he went straight to aiding the Aftermath honcho, as well as Busta Rhymes, T.I., 50 Cent and Jay-Z.

Self-effacing in the wake of Aftermath’s continued Soundscan domination, Parker spoke to Pop & Hiss about the making of “Relapse,” what he’s learned under Dr. Dre’s tutelage and Eminem’s penchant for drawing comical sketches in the studio.

How did the recording sessions for “Relapse” differ from previous albums that you’d worked on?

Most of the time, me, Dre, Mark Elizondo and sometimes a guitar player will just sit together and jam, and eventually we’ll come up with loops and ideas. With Eminem, he’d be constantly running in and out of the room and whenever he’d finish recording his tracks, he’d let us listen. We usually stuck with it. I was amazed by the level of complexity of the stuff he was writing, even at the beginning stages.

Em’s a funny guy — he’d draw all kinds of pictures of crazy cartoons and people flying and tape them to all the doors to keep things lighthearted. He was just on a tear — every time he’d leave the room he’d say something more mind-blowing. As a long-time fan, it was an incredible experience.

Dre’s a notoriously tough critic in the studio. Is he a difficult boss to satisfy? Does the competitive environment make you a better producer?

I don’t feel like I’m anywhere near his level, but just being around so many talented people is exciting. It’s about trying to make the best music I can. I imagine other people could get frustrated but I relish the fact that I get a chance to work on such interesting material.

Dre’s got an insanely sharp ear. He’ll describe a drum sound to me and work until we get it just right. It’s that diligence that makes him so successful and critically acclaimed. I feel the pressure to deliver my best every time. It’s not necessarily about being perfect or about pleasing Dre. He’s all about creating the best and most fun environment around. We try to keep it organic but at the same time we’re not going to settle for a 7 either.

You guys have been finished with the “Relapse” album for several months. What are you working on now?

We’ve been working on 50 Cent’s “Before I Self Destruct" and "Detox." I’ve also been slowly putting stuff together for my own group, GodBody. But working with 50 and Dre have taken up a lot of time.

What’s the status with “Detox?”

There’s been a lot of progress. Every day we create more sounds and [see] what decisions Dre makes. Whenever he’s ready to put something out, we will. I think we have some great material, and he sounds excellent on the microphone. In all likelihood, 50’s album will be next to drop, then the second installment of “Relapse.”

Sonically, how does the music you’ve created for “Relapse” differ from what you’re creating for “Detox?”

Eminem’s sound is dark with big drums and a lot of space for him to fill with rhymes. I think he can rhyme over anything but he had ideas in his head where he was trying to come and create. I’d have to guess what he wanted, and I knew that I couldn’t repeat. One day you’d create things that were green, the next you’d have to create things that were blue.

Judging from the records we’ve made for “Detox,” Dre wants things that are more soulful. Eminem’s progressions and sounds tend to be rock-oriented, while Dre’s influences are more rooted in R&B, funk, and soul.

-- Jeff Weiss

Source - http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/05/dawaun-parker-talks-to-pop-and-hiss-about-the-making-of-relapse-what-hes-learned-from-dr-dre-and-emi.html

Producer Dawaun Parker speaks Relapse and Detox

Dawaun Parker speaks to Jonathan Hay and Chad Kiser about Eminem's Relapse I, Relapse II and Detox. Dawaun Parker takes the listeners into the studio and what it's like working with Eminem and Dr. Dre in this Hoopla Media Group Exclusive.

Dr Dre Speaks

The full interview contains Eminem being interview too.

Dr. Dre Speaks On Relapse, Rapping Again And His Prognosis Of Em ...

You haven’t gotten behind the mic in a few years, what made you decide to rap on Relapse?

When me and Em get together and that fire starts, anything can happen. We were both pushing each other to that next level, and when I heard him on the mic on those two beats, both times I said, “Yo, I got to be on this.”

Can you describe the chemistry you and Em had on Relapse and how this played out in the studio when recording songs?

We were in the studio together a couple times just trying shit out, seeing what was gonna happen. I could feel it wasn’t the right time yet ... but I knew it was coming. Em’s talked about how he had to deal with some of his shit, too, and once we got back in after that, it was on. When we’re both in that zone, the songs come faster than we can record them.

After working with Eminem on practically this entire album and going through the ups and downs together for the past few years, how has that affected your relationship as friends and musicians?

Me and Em are always cool, and when he’s ready to work and I’m ready to work, we do our thing. That shit doesn’t change.

Being that you are the doctor, can you make a prognosis as to what is going on with Slim Shady on Relapse?

His lyrics are crazy!
I’m probably the dude who’s used to it the most, because I get to hear all of it when he’s recording. But then we’re in the studio and he puts something down and I’m like, “What the fuck did he just say?” Every time I think there’s nothing crazier he can come up with lyrically, he does it. I don’t know where he gets that shit from ... man, I don’t want to know. | RDW


Source - http://www.realdetroitweekly.com/content/article_5329.shtml

Eminem Accepts Blame For "Detox" Delay

Eminem recently justified the delay on Dr. Dre's long-awaited Detox album and said his studio work with the producer forced the project to be pushed back.

In addition to confirming the album does exist, Slim Shady also offered brief details surrounding the forthcoming release.

"With Dre, Dre's got a lot of material for this record," Em revealed in an interview. "And he's recorded a lot of material. I think that more so than anything, before his album, he basically put aside, he was working on his record for a good time period, I would say probably a year, a year and some change straight, he was working on his record and he basically put that on hold once we got on the road with my record, which I'm extremely grateful for you know."

Source - http://www.getrightmusic.com/videos/2009/05/23/dj-semtex-interview-with-eminem/

Dawaun Parker Speaks On Working Under Dr. Dre, Relapse

Producer Dawaun Parker has had one of the bigger weeks in his four years working at Aftermath Records with Dr. Dre. The Boston area native co-produced 14 of the 15 songs on Eminem's potentially record-breaking Relapse [click to read]. Still, asked how he spent the third week of May, Parker told HipHopDX, "Working, man. I went to a couple Best Buy's to find Relapse. The first place I went to was [sold out]. That was a nice little feeling. Otherwise, man, we've been working."

Working on a production team with Dr. Dre and Mark Batson, the trio apparently follows the doctor's orders, and uses the hype of a release week to work ahead on projects in tow. "Dre's a pretty hungry guy. There's not really been too much celebration. I've been getting calls and texts and stuff from people who have been listening to the record, critiquing. That's been cool - a lot of positive feedback and support. We're in the studio man. We're working on 50 Cent [click to read], we're working on Detox. We're trying to get it done."

While Hip Hop has seen many beat luminaries come up from each other, whether it was Pharrell learning from Teddy Riley, Kanye West learning from No I.D. and D Dot, or Large Professor with Eric B, tomorrow's next hit-maker has often worked with today's superstar. Still, Parker quickly admits that collaborative production has given him his career, "[My] production has increased exponentially because of Dre's help and his tutelage and things that he's said to me. 'Try this and try this.' None of the music would have even gotten made, that I contributed to, that any of us contributed to, if Dre wasn't there."

Parker told DX that the trio rotates as far as who uses what equipment in the studio. In order to truly collaborate, the musician noted, improvisation and expertise in mixing, programming, sampling and instruments are all necessary.

With his credits coming on Jay-Z's [click to read] Kingdom Come, Busta Rhymes' Big Bang and Snoop Dogg's Blue Carpet Treatment, among others, the patient Parker isn't in a rush to produce records without his team. "I know that the opportunity is there for me, when I'm ready to go aggressive and try to shine on my own." The producer says he does have solo material in progress with Bishop Lamont and 50 Cent. "The last six months or so, has been heavily Aftermath-based." Perhaps after Detox and Before I Self-Destruct, the professionally-trained producer will focus on some solo work. "When we take our next break, we'll get our next batch of things out there."

Dr. Dre has long maintained production teams, stemming from DJ Yella in the '80s, to Daz, Warren G, Sam Sneed and Mel-Man in the '90s, to his teammates today. Asked about one of the songs hinting at a new direction in Dre's sound, Jay-Z's "Trouble," Dawaun Parker spoke of one of his earliest major credits. "['Trouble' and Busta Rhymes' 'Get You Some'] and all the Jay stuff were made around that time. That was the first big period of myself, Dre, and Mark Batson. What I can remember about that session - I'm not sure I can remember the date of that beat, but I remember the day we got the reference back from Jay, and us buggin' out." He continued, "Dre was like, 'I got some of the stuff that Jay's been touchin' that we've done.' That was on there. We played it a few times in a row. That was a pretty nice moment."

Although humble, Parker said he showcased some of his trademark sounds in the loud, percussion-heavy track. "People from school and stuff, people who knew what my sound was, people knew it was Dre, but Dre's tone or sound having a different effect with the team he was with now, which was us. I hope that people enjoy all that. It's an honor."

Parker is presently at work on Detox and Before I Self-Destruct.

Source - http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9173/title.dawaun-porter-speaks-on-working-under-dr-dre-relapse

50 Cent Posts Dr Dre-Produced 'OK, You're Right' Online

50 Cent just dropped a street record from his upcoming Before I Self Destruct album called "OK, You're Right" on ThisIs50.com.

"When they talk about me, they say I be trippin'," 50 teases on the sing-songy chorus. "What they say about me doesn't make me mad/ I think they hatin' 'cause they see me when I'm rollin'/ Man, I can't help it if they really doin' bad."

The song was produced by Dr. Dre. A couple of weeks ago, the G-Unit General posted a vlog shot in a luxurious studio with Dre and others. The two have been crafting new tracks for Before I Self Destruct, which is due sometime this year.

50 said going back in with Dre caused him to shelve most of his existing material in favor of working on new music. "It's about 30 percent of what I had when I felt like I was finished," Fif explained. "The production, Dre made a lot more of the music that's on the actual album now. I rewrote some concepts."

Tony Yayo told MTV News the album should be a classic.

"50 got some crack," Tony Yayo said. "50 got some unexplainable records. He's just waiting. The thing with 50, the n---a is addicted to being a perfectionist. He'll wait. He's not like these other n---as that gotta rush to make a album. 50's got millions. The average artist is rushing an album because they want that advance money. They gotta pay their bills. Nah, that n---a's good. He won't put out anything until sh--'s right. You already know when he's this quiet, he's got a master plan. He's got something up his sleeve."

Source - http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1611716/20090519/50_cent.jhtml
Listen to track here - http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/new-50-cent-ok-youre-right

Death Row To Re-Release “The Chronic”

Artists such as Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik and Bishop Lamont have all commented on the vast amount of unreleased material Dr. Dre keeps in the Aftermath vaults. And it would seem that “The Doctor” began this habit back in his Death Row days, as his former label is making previously unreleased material from The Chronic available. In a recent conversation with HipHopDX, Death Row/WIDEawake Entertainment Senior Vice President John Payne explained how the label plans to reintroduce a classic album to a new generation.

“We’re re-releasing ‘The Chronic,’ and it’s going to be called, ‘The Chronic Relit’,” Payne said. “It will be remastered with a couple more songs that were done at that same time as well as a lot of footage and artwork. We’re remastering it so that it works with today’s technology, but we’re not changing the mixes or doing anything like that.”

Payne said the label has every intention of keeping the vast amount of Death Row recordings both “original and fresh” at the same time. And, in a bit of surprising news, he added that fans will have an opportunity to be involved in a separate online competition, allowing them to rap over classic Dr. Dre production.

“There are a couple Dre tracks that had no third verse, and we’re going to be seeking people to complete them,” Payne added. “We won’t go to the entertainment realm. We just want average, everyday people.”

Tracks with added verses from fans will not be included on the reissue of The Chronic. As the finishing touches are being put on the projects, Payne explained that release dates and more information on how artists can submit verses will be announced.

Source - http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9131/title.death-row-to-re-release-the-chronic-with-help-from-fans

Bishop speaks on Dr Dre and Detox

Bishop did an interview with AllHipHop.com. For the full the interview click the link at the bottom.

AllHipHop.com: I know you can't speak much about Dr. Dre and Detox. I know you can't talk about it. But…

Bishop Lamont: What are you trying to set me up for, pimp? (Laughs)

AllHipHop.com: We just want some clue as to what goes on in Dre's mind. We've been waiting forever.

Bishop Lamont: Me too!

AllHipHop.com: We're looking at him to turn the Titanic around this year.

Bishop Lamont: It’s definitely the Titanic and we're about to hit that iceberg. I don't know. That dude is an amazing dude. You can never tell what's on his mind. I can speak on what's in his heart. For the most part, he wants to deliver Detox, but he doesn't feel that its up to par yet to give it to the world. Each installment has taken seven years and we're up to 10 with this one. We're going past that window so its are the people still gonna want it and can I give them with the same energy and the ambition that the people want to see it. N***as looking at it like its Big Foot or a unicorn or Loch Ness Monster. It’s taken on mythical levels. He has to surpass all that and deliver something amazing. So, hopefully…

AllHipHop.com: Another legendary producer DJ Quik suggested he should do a new album...

Bishop Lamont: That's what he did...

AllHipHop.com: ...with a different title.

Bishop Lamont: It’s not a different title, but he did [change the album]

AllHipHop.com: Was that because of leaks or...

Bishop Lamont: Because of leaks and how he's feeling in his mind. I can't speak for him 100% until I speak to him, but from what it was before to what it is, he wants that s**t to be mega. I think n***as would be mad if we put out some bulls**t and it destroys the whole legacy. Other n***as albums didn't live up to the expectations and now we're coming to the godfather of rap, the Quincy Jones of rap. This n***a's got to not only walk on water, but fly and s**t. We in the Matrix right now and that's Morpheus. Neo is going to do his thing and I'm going to do what I gotta do with Morpheus.

Source - http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2009/05/12/21552018.aspx

Eminem And Dr. Dre's 'Old Time's Sake' track Leaks One Day Early

New Relapse single featuring the old friends has a party vibe.

By Shaheem Reid

It wasn't supposed to drop until Tuesday, but you know how these things go. With such high-profile artists as Eminem and Dr. Dre, there's no such thing as releasing music on its proper date. The latest track off of Slim Shady's upcoming Relapse, "Old Time's Sake," has already leaked online.

"Crack a Bottle" has a cruising vibe. "We Made You" is Em coming with his satirical slapstick, and "3 A.M." is maniacal. But "Old Time's Sake" has more of a party vibe. Produced by Dre, the record has the familiar West Coast bounce, and the Doc himself leads it off with a simple sing-songy flow — and very adult content.

"I'm Dre from back in the day/ From N.W.A./ From black and the gray from," the Cali legend raps. "Choking a bi---, from smacking her face from/ Stacking up bodies/ To packing the Ks up."

Dre insists that there is still no competition for him and his Detroit friend.

"Speak of the devil, it's attack of the Rain Man," Em comes in with his patented, almost Caribbean-sounding cadence. "Chainsaw in hand, bloodstain on my apron. ..."

On the chorus, Em asks Dre: "So one more time for old time's sake/ Dre drop that beat and scratch that break/ Just send a little bit of that smoke my way, and let's go."

There is no word yet on whether or not Em and Dre will shoot a video for the new song, but the record will be officially available on iTunes on Tuesday. On May 12, iTunes will release yet another Relapse single, this one titled "Beautiful." A week from that date, we all know what time it is: the long-anticipated launch of the full Relapse.

On Saturday, Cinemax premiered the video for "3 A.M." In it, Slim Shady appears out of his mind. The rapper's character talks to a naked mannequin and takes a bath in a tub filled with blood and corpses, but not before he chops off people's fingers.



Source - http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610536/20090504/eminem.jhtml