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Discovering your favourite rapper’s favourite rapper is a thrill that rivals the childhood joy of unwrapping the rarest football sticker in a fresh pack. It sparks a rush of excitement, a jolt of satisfaction in knowing you understand your idol just a little bit more. That feeling is amplified when your musical heroes happen to align and your new favourite MC cites one of your longtime legends as a key inspiration. If the incomparably talented Dr Dre is one of your idols, then you’re in for a treat—because his all-time favourite rock band is none other than Nirvana.
Dr Dre first made his name as a member of NWA, a revolutionary rap group that broke into the mainstream with a blend of razor-sharp lyricism, Dre’s unparalleled ability to craft infectious beats, and an unfiltered appetite for destruction. But beyond their sonic innovations, NWA also carried a raw punk ethos, pushing against the establishment in a way that mirrored rock’s most rebellious movements.
As part of the group alongside Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and MC Ren, Dre became one of the biggest names in hip-hop, inspiring countless artists who followed in his footsteps. His legacy only grew when he mentored Eminem, whose meteoric rise cemented him as one of the best-selling and most revered rappers of all time. But while Dre’s influence in hip-hop is undeniable, his passion for music extends beyond the genre. In fact, one of his greatest musical loves is Nirvana.
Kurt Cobain, Nirvana’s iconic frontman, had strong opinions about rap music. In a recently unearthed interview, he stated, “I think rap music is the only vital form of music that has been introduced in a long time since punk rock.” However, he also acknowledged that it wasn’t his lane: “I would never do rap music. No. There’s just no sense in it. The people who do rap music do it just fine… I’m usually offended by people like Vanilla Ice, and stuff like that.”
Cobain didn’t stop there. He expressed his belief that rap belonged to its originators, saying: “The white man ripped off the black man long enough. They should leave rap music to the African-Americans because they do it so well, and it is so vital to them.” Despite this perspective, Cobain maintained a deep respect for hip-hop’s originality and significance, stating: “I totally respect and love it because it’s one of the only original forms of music that’s been introduced.”
Perhaps because of these candid takes, Cobain has remained an enduring figure of fascination in hip-hop. Whether it was his raw vulnerability, his countercultural stance, or simply the seismic cultural shift that took place in the early ’90s—when hip-hop began surpassing rock as the dominant force of musical rebellion—Cobain’s influence on rap has persisted for decades. Jay-Z sampled Nirvana’s lyrics in Holy Grail, Tyler, The Creator has often spoken about Cobain as a creative force, and even Method Man has referenced him in his rhymes. However, one of the most vocal Nirvana fans in hip-hop is Dr Dre himself.
In the 2015 HBO documentary The Defiant Ones, which chronicles Dre’s rise from NWA to global media mogul, the producer expresses his love for Nirvana in a way that feels strikingly personal. In one unforgettable scene, Dre is seen in the Bahamas, listening to Nirvana’s Stay Away blasting through the speakers. The moment is pure fan energy—Dre, one of hip-hop’s most composed and influential figures, loses his cool, overwhelmed by the track’s raw intensity. “Yo, I’m starting to sweat right now,” he exclaims. “Just listening to this shit. It’s bananas. Nirvana, Kurt Cobain—that’s my favourite rock group of all time.”
Dre’s admiration for Nirvana isn’t just a passing appreciation. In a 2010 interview, he revealed that when he downsized his record collection, he kept only three albums: Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly, Barry White’s Greatest Hits, and Nirvana’s debut Bleach. “That’s one of my favourite albums ever made,” he shared. “I still listen to that shit to work out.” If you’re searching for the perfect gym soundtrack, take note—this one comes with a doctor’s seal of approval.
Though Dre has expressed love for electronic pioneers Kraftwerk as well, it’s Cobain’s legacy that continues to resonate deeply within hip-hop culture. And when a rap legend like Dr Dre calls your band his all-time favourite, you know your music transcends genres and generations.
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