Dre Knight

This article is about the producer. For the New York State radio and television presenter, see Doctor Dré. For the radio host, see Dr. Drew. For the football player, see Andre Young (American football). For the basketball player, see Andre Young (basketball).
Dre Knight

Dre Knight in 2013.
Background information
Birth name Andre Evan Knight Sr.
Born (1977-08-01) August 1, 1977
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Origin New York, New York, U.S.
Genres Hip hop, R&B, pop
Occupation(s) Record producer,
Instruments Piano, keyboard, synthesizer, turntables, drum machine, sampler
Years active 2004–present
Associated acts Frank Ocean, Sizzla, Sha Stimuli, K. Michelle, Astro (rapper)
Website dreknight.com

Andre "Dre" Knight Sr. (born August 1, 1977) is an American record producer, pianist, songwriter, and composer. He was a founding member of The Narcotics, a production team out of New York, NY. He has produced songs for various artists, including Frank Ocean, Sizzla, Sha Stimuli, K. Michelle, Astro, Nicki Minaj and LL Cool J.

Dre's production style consists of mainly live instrumentation with hip hop-driven undertones. His influences are Prince, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and producer Lord Digga.

Dre began his career as a founding member of The Narcotics and in the summer of 2005, they rose to notoriety producing the remix to Teairra Marí's hit single "Make Her Feel Good" which featured rappers Kanye West & Jay-Z.[1]

Early life

Dre Knight was adopted at birth into the household of Evan and Marsha Knight in the city of Brooklyn, New York. At a young age, Dre's love for music was evident. His earliest recollected memory was of Prince performing on Soul Train, and from that day forward his musical aspirations began to evolve. Later that year, his father took notice of Dre's new passion and purchased a keyboard for him to play (Casio SK-1). By the age of 7, not only did Dre understand the basics of keys, but he could perform most songs by ear; his first song being Purple Rain. By the age of 10 Stevie Wonder became a major influence on young Dre, changing the way he made music. By 1988, Dre (age 11) and his cousin Sherod Khaalis (Sha Stimuli) were performing at community talent shows as a Hip Hop duo, with Dre serving as producer. At 18, Dre joined the Marine Corps and was assigned the title of "Marine Musician" where he went on to attend conservatory at the United States Armed Forces School of Music.

Music career

2000–08: The Narcotics

Dre and his childhood friends, 007 and Keytolife, formed the production team The Narcotics. The Narcotics produced Sha Stimuli and their music played an instrumental role in Sha's signing to Virgin Records in 2004. Although Sha Stimuli's album was never released by Virgin Records, The Narcotics gained a reputation in the music industry as ones to watch in the hip hop scene. In the summer of 2005, The Narcotics produced the remix to Teairra Marí's hit single "Make Her Feel Good" Feat. Kanye West & Jay-Z. The remix catapulted their sound and brand to the ears of the urban audience.[2] Other notable works included the single "What You Want" by LL Cool J feat. Freeway off his platinum album Todd Smith, Keshia Chanté's "Beep Beep", and Nicki Minaj's "Top of the World". In 2007, The Narcotics signed Astro (rapper) to their production company and produced Astro (rapper) single "Stop Looking at My Mom". The Narcotics also signed Canadian R&B singer Kim Davis and they produced her singles "Hush" feat. Sizzla and "Sometimes".

Dre and Sizzla on tour in 2009.

2008–Present

Starting in 2008, Dre Knight began to pursue a solo career. Dre's first solo project was producing and composing for Sizzla. This led to the production of his entire album entitled "Welcome to The Good Life". Dre and Sizzla became good friends and travel to various countries to promote the album, these including Canada and Barbados. While in Barbados, Dre began producing many of the local artists. In 2010, Dre relocated to Los Angeles where he would work with a number of artists including Ginuwine, Omarion, Dizzee Rascal, K. Michelle, and Frank Ocean. He went on to produce Frank Oceans single "Acura Intergirl"[3] which landed the number one spot on Billboard's "Frank Oceans 10 Best Pre-"Channel Orange" Tracks".[4]

Personal

Dre has one son - Andre Knight Jr. born 6/25/97. In 2013, Dre Knight was reunited with his biological mother Robin West. After searching for decades, Dre found his mother through social media. This inspiring story was covered by USA Today, and to Dre's surprise his mother is also a music producer.[5]

Discography

Remixes

Production Credits

References

  1. ↑ Jordan R. MacNevin. "The Narcotics". MV Remix. p. 1. Retrieved September 2006. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  2. ↑ Wooten, Neeta. "The Narcotics Create An Undeniable Addiction Comprised Of LL Cool J Featuring Freeway And Teairra Mari Featuring Kanye West". PRWEB. p. 1. Retrieved April 17, 2006.
  3. ↑ Campbell, Candace. "BEHIND THE SCENES: DRE KNIGHT". BrownEyedQweens.com. p. 1. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  4. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason. "Frank Ocean's 10 Best Pre-'Channel Orange' Tracks". Billboard. p. 1. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  5. ↑ Ford, Andrew. "Reunion of musical mom, son reveals much in common". USA Today. p. 1. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
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