Generations of kids to come won't forget about Dre after Apple Music's exclusive release of Dr. Dre's third and final studio album Thursday.
The pioneering "Straight Outta Compton" rapper plans to donate all artist royalties from this new Compton album. He'll use them to pay for a performing arts and entertainment facility in Compton, California. The album debuts on Beats 1 at 6 p.m. PT Thursday.
"We've reached out to [Compton Mayor] Aja Brown quite a few times in the last month or two," Dr. Dre explained to Beats 1 radio host Zane Lowe. "I've been really trying to do something special for Compton and just couldn't quite figure out what it was. She actually had this idea and she was already in the process of working on it, and I said, 'Boom, this is what we should do.'"
Compton is Dr. Dre's first studio release in 16 years, following 1999's 2001. The 16-track LP features collaborations with Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Ice Cube, The Game, Jill Scott and more. The release coincides with Aug. 14 premiere of the N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton.
Following the three-hour album stream on Beats 1, Dr. Dre will discuss the project with Lowe at 9 p.m. PT, at which time he'll likely elaborate on his big donation to the kids of Compton.
"I feel like it's the right thing to do," the 50-year-old said, "and I just hope everybody appreciated the hard work I put into this album."
Compton, which is available for pre-order, will be on iTunes after the album stream.
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