Even if you aren’t a fan of hip hop music, Dr Dre’s influence in the industry is remarkable.

Not only was he part of the earliest hip hop movement influencing dozens of stars – including Eminem – he also revitalised his career by coming up with headphones and later selling them to Apple to become hip hop’s richest artist (yes, even richer than Jay-Z).

So in celebration of his 50th birthday we run through some of the things you may not know about Dre.

1. He is the richest hip hop artist in the world

Dr Dre attends the WSJ. Magazine 2014 Innovator Awards at MoMA on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in New York. (Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
Dr Dre at the WSJ Magazine 2014 Innovator Awards (Andy Kropa/Invision/AP/PA)

Worth an estimated $800 million (£519 million) Dr Dre has amassed a great deal of wealth over the years.

2. He helped launch Eminem’s career

Dr. Dre, left, is joined by Eminem during Dre and Snoop Dogg's headlining performance on the first weekend of the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Sunday, April 15, 2012, in Indio, Calif.
Dr Dre is joined by Eminem during Dre and Snoop Dogg’s headline performance on the first weekend of the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Chris Pizzello/AP/PA)

In early 2000, Dr Dre was focusing on producing songs and albums of other artists. He co-produced six songs from Eminem’s successful album Marshall Mathers LP, including “The Real Slim Shady”, helping the burgeoning artist launch his career.

3. He sold Beats Electronics for $3 billion (£1.94 billion)

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho arrives at the ground before the FA Cup Fifth Round match at Selhurst Park, London.
Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho wearing Beats headphones (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Dr Dre’s popular headphones’ company Beats Electronics was bought by Apple in 2014 for a whopping $3 billion (£1.94 billion). The headphones are so popular they are a regular feature on the heads of celebrities.

4. He was once in a hip hop group with Ice Cube

Ice Cube at a film premier, he was once in a rap group with Dr Dre (BREUEL-BILD/DPA/PA)
Ice Cube at a film premier, he was once in a rap group with Dr Dre (BREUEL-BILD/DPA/PA)

Ice Cube does more acting nowadays but back in the day he and Dr Dre were in a hip hop group with Eazy-E, Yella MC Ren, the Arabian Prince and the DOC. The group was called NWA.

5. He released his last album in 2001

Dr. Dre, left, looks at this protege Snoop Doggy Dogg, who is accused of murder, react after Dre won favorite artist and new artist in rap-hip hop at the 21st annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Feb. 7, 1994. (AP Photo/Mark Terrill)
Throw-back picture of Dr Dre, left, looking at his protege Snoop Doggy Dogg’s reaction after he won an award at the 21st annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles in 1994 (Mark Terrill/AP)

Dr Dre hasn’t released an album in years. His last album The Chronic 2001 was his last. He now concentrates on his business ventures.