Bio

Dre Young knew he wanted to pursue music after seeing his first concert in seventh grade. Master P was in town at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The minks, rolex necklaces and gritty lyrics were impressive. But it was the power in the music that caught the young emcee's attention the most – “all those people came to hear this one man's music.”  The son of a military mother and incarcerated father, Dre Young moved around the country before settling into his grandparents' home in Indianapolis. Rapping and creating song concepts became his "meaning", his life's creative outlet.

In high school Kiandre Tynes became Dre Young. During lunch he'd free-style, making beats on tables with fists, spoons, trays. Dre experimented with tongue-twists and developed the quick and witty delivery that decorate his tracks today. He was also heavily influenced by Jay-Z's beats and boss-style. Inspired by the mogul's business acumen, Dre Young committed himself to developing as an artist and businessman.

In 2004, entertainment entrepreneur Kareem Lee approached Dre Young about a record deal with Simple Life Records – offering him a partnership as a flagship artist. Dre jumped at the opportunity to contribute to a brand and bring his sound to the market. Since then, he has recorded several mixtapes with Simple Life Records, including the most recent productions “Midwest Invasion: Volume 1” and “Droppin’ Bombs.”

Dre Young believes music is about having a good time, but also about keeping it 100. “My music is fun and unique,” Dre says, “But I never make a song just to make it. I like there to be some meaning behind it. I think that is what makes my music different.” Many would define Dre's style as hip-hop or rap, but he has another word for it: Funkadelic. “I’m always trying to come with something brand new. Something creative, something funky. It’s like a funkadelic rap!”

Another way that Dre seeks to be unique is coordinating choreography in his live performances. “My performances are a 10,” Dre says, “I like to entertain and give people their money’s worth. I think that putting choreography with my music is what makes it different, because you don’t see a lot of choreography with the style of music that I make.”

He is wrapping up production on “Midwest Invasion: Volume 2” – due out Spring 2010 – and building awareness for his currently Untitled album release.