drdre-power106It is nothing but California Love for record producer, rapper and entrepreneur Dr. Dre and his next business move.

Dr. Dre along with longtime friend and business partner Jimmy lovine have donated $70 million to create a new institute at the University of Southern California, according to school officials on Tuesday night.

The Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation will enroll 25 students in the fall of 2014, giving students access to “cutting-edge technology and machinery for the purpose of envisioning and rendering new products, new technologies, art forms and modes, or models, of doing business.”

The Hip-hop mogul, who originally found fame with rap group N.W.A. and his 1992 solo debut The Chronic, is featured in articles like the USA Today and The Los Angeles Times for his good deed, but that is not stopping critics in the black community to speak out.

“Gotta [sic] process this,” said Dillard University President Walter M. Kimbrough, better known as ‘Hip Hop Prez’ on social meida, after discovering the news of the business deal.

Rapper Scarface took to Twitter and told followers “HBCU’s could have really used some of that $70 million,” after also commenting on O.J. Simpson attempt to seek retrial. “I’m just saying,” Scarface added using the # symbol.

One other Twitter user said Let’s be forreal do you honestly think Dr. Dre would give $70 million to a HBCU?

But honestly, with USC’s already $3.3-billion endowment, it is hard not to scratch your head on why Dre invested so much money to a predominately white institutions over a historically black one.

Tell us what you think and comment below.

Follow Tommy Meade on Twitter @tommymeade_

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Great article, Tommy. It really gives you something to think about. This also goes back to the conversation we had about HBCUs being relevant or not? I think we need to keep it relevant.

    As far as this situation, I agree that the money (or at least, some of it) could have went for the betterment of a HBCU(s). But hey, it’s his money and he can do whatever he want to with it. This doesn’t mean that it’s right what he chose to do.

    That just goes to show that so many of us, don’t really care, don’t know and/or feel as if HBCUs are becoming extinct; if our own Government is not investing as much into it, why should he/why should anyone. I totally disagree with that statement, by the way.

    I think it is sad that many other colleges are getting so much more aid, grants, etc. and the HBCU are left with little to nothing. It is up to us to change this. Lets walk the walk instead of talk the talk. If I wasn’t on a fixed income, I’d can show you, better than tell you. I care!!!

  2. Its just publicity. They picked one of the most famous schools in the world for that reason alone. Wasted money in my opinion Other than that. I dont even care about another Dre CD, because he aint the same anyway, only way his rapping would be interesting if he started conscious rapping, Dre just rapping to rap would be like if Donald Trump started rapping.

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