It 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.
“@wpjenna: Dr. Dre & producer Jimmy Iovine donate $70 million to @usc to create a new degree. nyti.ms/14mgt2w”– gotta process this
— Walter M. Kimbrough (@HipHopPrez) May 15, 2013
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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