A single Instagram post managed to do what decades of criticism never could: unite hip hop’s architects in open defence of Dr. Dre.
The post, framed as a question, asked:
“Can anybody tell me if they have any footage actually playing the drum machine, playing a keyboard or making a beat in the studio?”
The author claimed the intent was educational, even respectful. However, many saw the question as unnecessary at best and willfully ignorant at worst, given how well documented Dre’s work has been for decades.
A Question the Culture Found Strange
Dr. Dre has defined the sound of hip hop since the late 1980s. He has produced era-defining records, guided generations of artists, and shaped modern studio practice itself.
The post, framed as a thought experiment by a self-described educator, came off as tone-deaf to many. Fans were quick to point out that millions recently watched Dre play grand piano during the Super Bowl halftime show – now the most viewed video on the NFL YouTube channel.
With decades of video proof and a catalogue of genre-defining records behind him, Dr Dre’s musical credibility shouldn’t need defending. So when the question circulated, many assumed it was rage bait. Instead of rage, the post triggered something else entirely. It became a catalyst for a flood of praise from hip hop royalty.
Legends Speak: “Put Some Respect on His Name”
Ice Cube, Questlove, Rick Ross, Timbaland, Scott Storch, Teddy Riley, and Royce 5’9, among many others, shared their own studio memories with Dre.
Scott Storch described Dre as “the illest to ever do it,” highlighting his drum programming precision. Questlove was stunned to learn that Dre could actually play piano chords. Royce 5’9 wrote simply: “I’ve seen it with my own eye. Put some respect on the GOAT’s name”.
The Alchemist jokingly said he’d seen Dre build a DeLorean “with his bare hands”. Even Macy Grey chimed in with a resounding “absolutely”.
One by one, producers, rappers, and collaborators who worked with Dre directly stepped in. They testified.
Scott Storch:
“Dr. Dre is the illest to ever do it on the mp pushes the envelope on the pads creating some of the craziest beat patterns. As well he dials in on swing and quantizing like nobody. Thats why u subliminally feel something different from his music He privileged me to collaborate with him for many years. But he is fully capable of playing keys as well. But from a creative standpoint collaborating always makes for great music”.
Eric Griggs:
“After more than a decade of working closely with him I can tell you he has the ability to play instruments and program on the MPC and other drum machines. He’s however quite happy to quarterback with the offensive line he’s selected of which I am a member. I’m curious as to the objective of this post. Enlighten us”.
Teddy Riley:
“Respectfully, I’ve seen him play piano, and also program on a drum machine. Doctor DRE is definitely a doctor in studio. I’ve also seen him run more than one session at the same time like myself. 👑👑”
Ice Cube:
“I’ve seen it with my own eyes. This narrative is dead in the water”.
Rick Ross:
“I watched him produce the entire track on my Mastermind lp”.
Questlove:
“I too wanted to see such footage and to my surprise one of my filmmaking pals showed me mind blowing footage of not only Dre chopping a beat up (my guess is this was Doggystyle era – but I didn’t know he is actually a piano player. Like chords and all – he wasn’t Herbie Hancock flexing but money knew his chords enough for me to leave impressed with what I saw”.
Warren G:
“He taught me what I know from the mpc to playing keys to splicing tape to mixing and keys and live musicians stop it”.
The Alchemist:
“I watched Andre build a Delorian with his bare hands and then went with him to meet some Libyans in a mall parking lot to cop plutonium ! SMH”
Scarface:
“Been in with Dre and yea I seen him play the piano, tap on the drum pads, coach vocal takes, and lead the session musicians. that’s the first time I ever seen multiple MPC’s daisy chained and I may have some old footage, the nigga is a real deal, a producer not just a dude with a beat tape letting you pick beats, here’s a question for everybody, how many artists has he put his hands on? And how successful did they become? I’ll rest my case right there… the nigga mean!”
Focus…:
“Yes! And I have over 24 years of working with him as my credential(s). Can’t throw shade then say ‘no shade’. What’s the point of this post anyway???”
Denaun Porter:
“It’s a crazy world when people believe that it’s not real just because they’ve never seen it… Ego likes 🎥’s. Geniuses find them distracting! if you knew him like I know him you’d know the man plays piano better than some dudes at church. I’ve also worked in the same room with him majority of my adult life first half of my career I watched him make gangs of music he’s our version of Quincy Jones cut it out”.
Royce 5’9:
“I’ve seen with my own eye 👀 Plz put some respect on the 🐐 name 🙏🏿🫡”
Timbaland:
“I seen it hands down”
Faizon Love:
“Your going to lose that… I personally saw him work Koog, 3000, piano, I saw the at Trax Studio and at the home studio on Escondido in 91”
“The Worlds Most Dangerous DJ”, DJ Speed of the N.W.A. fame:
“No Shade 😂😂 homie you pulled the whole curtain, dre lived on my block THORSON AVE im a DJ SOLELY because of dre and me at 11 years old watching him DJ now fast forward NWA I was in the garage at Eric’s house watching that man program that sp1200 and mpc everyday moving forward to Torrance once again watch that man everyday sit at that board producing music, bro you clearly want attention and by the looks of the comments you are getting it, you should honestly delete this, you won’t find one person on your side 😂😂”
A Viral Moment Becomes a Masterclass
Instead of tearing Dre down, the comment section turned into a digital hall of fame. Musicians who had worked with him for years gave first-hand accounts of Dre leading sessions, playing instruments, programming beats, and mentoring artists.
One commenter summed it up best:
“You can’t contradict yourself by claiming to love someone and have enormous respect for them, but you publicly question their credibility. It’s people like you who distort history, and thank God for all the iconic ppl in the comments section for setting the record straight”.
The post went viral, amassing not just a record number of celebrity commentators but also thousands of likes on the page that rarely has a post with over a dozen reactions.
The response went historic, and this is much more important.
