Customer Reviews

Rollin' with Dre: The Unauthorized Account: An Insider's Tale of the Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of West Coast Hip Hop

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Interesting read, it gave an inside look at some events I haven't heard of. I really wanted to learn more about the author. Maybe the next book will be more about his life. I won't spoil it but it's not exactly what you think it might be all about. I wanted more and more events in the book, I know tons must have been edited out (maybe the sequel)!!

Though I am normally a fan of either extremely political Tex-Mex music and Indie Music no one buys, I came across this book and I could not put it down. A real insight into the world of Hip Hop. If you hate rap, it will make you hate it even more but if you love it you probably will love it even more. Either way its a great read. Donnell Alexander is a great writer that brings this story to life.

Considering what little I knew about Dr. Dre and his rise to stardom, ROLLIN' WITH DRE by Bruce Williams (with Donnell Alexander) was just what I needed to begin to fill in the blanks of one of the most complicated men in Hip Hop. Told by someone who got to know him better than most, the book also takes you into the author's own background, how he came to know the man that would change music forever, and the side of the industry that few of us have ever seen.

When it comes to standout sections, I think what I will remember the most is how even Bruce, someone who was at the side of Dre, even found him to be an enigma. For all of his public persona and celebrity, Dre comes across like many of us, learning how to be more comfortable in his own skin and manage the expectations of others as well as those he has for himself.

Powerful and informative, ROLLIN' WITH DRE is definitely a book well worth the ride.

My main problem with this book was simply how shallow it was. Ultimately I learned little that I didn't know and I am not even a huge rap fan. As much as the author does to try and convince the audience how intelligent he is it never comes across in the writing. I guess in a way it makes sense that he writes the way he does, coming from the military; everything is just written in a black and white fashion ... you get no real insight into anyone or why they are the way the are. He is so concerned coming across as a "cool cat" that he is almost a cypher. Two stars cause it was easy to read (in a day) and not boring. The book equivalent of a snack I guess.

Really interesting look at the behind the scene action and business of the 1990's hip-hop music industry. Not only about dr. dre, you will see what was the life behind the mic back from the early death row stages all the way to the actual Aftermath records co.

Bruce Williams was the right hand man of Dr. Dre, of the infamous rap group NWA, as well as one of the most influential hip-hop producers of our time. As the guy who was privy to the ins and outs of Death Row and Aftermath Records, Williams has stories to tell of how life with the man affected him and gives readers an inside view of the working of Dr. Dre. Williams gives you a glimpse at his childhood and how he was able to take the circumstances of his life and turn them into a story worth writing.

Included in this memoir are tales of partying, debauchery and the makings of some great hip-hop music, as well as the good and bad of the music industry. Williams paints a picture of an industry that is about money, but artists such as Dr. Dre are connected to the music. Williams also tells some great tales about the likes of Tupac, Easy E and Suge Knight. What readers will also garner is Dr. Dre is a complicated man who has tunnel vision when it comes to making good music, even when all around him is falling apart. However, Williams also discusses how his relationship with Dr. Dre eventually changed and he realized he wasn't living to his potential or following his initial dreams of becoming actor.

ROLLIN' WITH DRE actually tells some stories I was not aware of until reading this biography. I didn't even know Williams existed until now. The tales are at times entertaining, and at other times thought-provoking. Williams considers this book a testament to how great an artist and friend Dr. Dre is, but I wonder how Dr. Dre feels about some of the things presented in this book, although not all the situations were surprises. The writing uses a lot of slang and derogatory proclamations for females, which I found a bit trying at times. For a glimpse inside the world of Dr. Dre, especially during the days of Death Row, this book takes you there with some of the antics of the founders. One thing readers will appreciate is Williams loves hip-hop and it resonates throughout the pages.

Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

The book has a little of everything, a little Tupac, a little Suga Knight, some Snoop and of course Dre. It you love hip-hip and inside stories then this book is for you!!

okay book but seriously we all know about dr. dre's rise see I was a fan of nwa and the whole ruthless era and the drama that wenmt on I heard the beefs coming from nwa and ice cube I remember when dre beat dee barnes I heard how luke dissed him and nwa after that I remember deathrow and all the drama suge knight did we know warren g was beat up and ran off deathrow really we know all thjis I thought thios would bring new tales to the saga we know about the east caost west coast beef how 2pac joined deathrow how him and suge took out orlando, how dre left the row and started aftermath then you hear about 50, game, eve, busta, bishop lamont who's a good rapper by thr way but still not very interesting. west coast rappers are still active but underground but hey I thibnk they'll return things always come back.

VERY GOOD BOOK ABOUT LIFE WITH DR DRE IN THE 1990S

EASY TO READ