Dr. Dre's Record Label: Which Company Does the Hip-Hop Legend Own?
Dr. Dre is the founder and owner of Aftermath Entertainment, a record label he established in 1996 after leaving Death Row Records. Aftermath Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Interscope Records, which is part of Universal Music Group.
Throughout its history, Aftermath Entertainment has been instrumental in launching and developing the careers of several major artists. The label gained significant recognition when it signed Eminem in 1998, leading to the release of "The Slim Shady LP" in 1999. This marked the beginning of a highly successful partnership between Dr. Dre and Eminem.
Notable artists who have been signed to Aftermath Entertainment include:
50 Cent The Game Kendrick Lamar Anderson .Paak Eminem
Prior to founding Aftermath Entertainment, Dr. Dre was a co-owner of Death Row Records alongside Suge Knight. However, he left the label in 1996 due to growing tensions and creative differences. The formation of Aftermath Entertainment allowed Dre to have complete creative control over his musical endeavors and the artists he chose to develop.
The label's first release was Dr. Dre Presents...The Aftermath in 1996, a compilation album featuring various artists. While the initial years were challenging, with several unsuccessful releases, the signing of Eminem changed the label's trajectory dramatically.
Today, Aftermath Entertainment continues to operate under Dr. Dre's leadership, focusing on developing and promoting both established and emerging hip-hop artists. The label has sold millions of records worldwide and has been responsible for some of the most influential albums in hip-hop history.
As of 2024, Aftermath Entertainment remains Dr. Dre's primary record label venture, though he has expanded his business portfolio to include other enterprises such as Beats Electronics, which he sold to Apple in 2014 for $3 billion.