Mac Dre

Mac Dre was a Bay Area gangsta rapper and businessman. He is credited as being one of the leading lights in the hyphy scene.

Dre was born in Oakland, but was moved to Vallejo when he was young to keep him away from Oakland's troubled streets. He built his reputation with a number of EP and album releases the late 80s early 90s. He was owner of the Romp music label and made lyrical references to the 'romper room' at a time when the so-called 'Romper Room Gang' were carrying out a series of robberies in Vallejo area. It was claimed that he was a member of the gang and the state agreed, so in 1992 he was imprisoned for five years for conspiracy to commit robbery.

However stone walls do not a prison make, and during his time inside he phoned in lyrics for the Young Black Brotha and Back 'N tha Hood albums. His work after release from prison began to get mainstream attention, and he formed the Thizz Entertainment label on which he released his own work and over 20 Thizz Nation compilations which featured a number of hyphy performers, including Mistah FAB and Johnny Ca$h.

Mac Dre died from a gunshot wound sustained while driving to Kansas in November 2004, mystery surrounds the exact circumstances of the shooting.