Dr. Dre

“When we started Aftermath, we had something like 20 artists, and it was driving me crazy. I couldn't sit down and focus on any of it. Plus, it was doubly hard because you ended up crushing these people's dreams when you had to let them go.”

“It's entertaining to watch somebody break my music down or explain what he thinks I was thinking during the process of making these records. Because... he has no idea.”

“A lot of times when I'm at home kickin' it, I don't even listen to hip hop. I listen to all types of music.”

“Before now, I've always taken my mixes out to the car and listened to them in the parking lot. I still do that, but more so now I'm listening to it on the Beat box, and I think people should give it at least a listen and check it out and see what it is.”

“In fact, I would advise against anyone doing reality shows. I won't be doing 'X Factor' just yet.”

“You just have to find that thing that's special about you that distinguishes you from all the others, and through true talent, hard work, and passion, anything can happen.”

“Mission accomplished, we didn't have any problems as far as violence goes.”

“An instrumental album is something I've been wanting to do for a long time.”

“I love the new technology. New things give you a reason to want to go to the studio. New challenges mean you have to keep up, you know?”

“If you're not sincere with it, you shouldn't say anything at all.”

“I get butterflies every time a record comes out. I'm like, 'I hope people like it. I hope people buy it.'”

“I had between 20 and 40 songs for 'Detox,' and I just couldn't feel it. Usually, I can hear the sequence of an album as I'm going, but I wasn't able to do that. I wasn't feeling it in my gut.”

“Kids are the ultimate form of motivation. They're watching. They're mimicking. They're an extension of you. So you have to win.”

“I'm a producer at heart. I like being in the control room and directing people. That's what I do. But I've gotten on the mic a few times in my career; people seem to like it, so I'll do it again here and there. But that's really not my thing.”

“Eminem is just incredible. That's the word that comes to mind: 'incredible.'”

“I sequence during the entire recording process. The sequencing changes as I'm recording and as I'm listening. From when I'm, like, four songs in, I start trying to figure out which song should come after which. Which is important, and it changes as the album goes.”

“In my opinion, some of the hip-hop records that come out, people are willing to compromise. I'm not.”

“I did record 'The Chronic' in 1992. The year was not a total loss.”

“Engineering and mixing are absolutely key. Once a song is done, for me personally, it's usually two or three days to get the mix down.”

“I've never considered myself a rapper. I know how to do it. I know how to make my voice project, and I know how to stay on beat and what have you, but I've never considered myself a rapper.”