Dr. Dre has condemned Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s use of his 2001 song “Still D.R.E.” in a promotional video, TMZ reports. In a statement to the media outlet, the rapper and producer said, “I don’t license my music to politicians, especially someone as divisive and hateful as this one.”
Dr. Dre’s attorney, Howard E. King, has also sent a letter to Taylor Greene demanding that she cease the unauthorized use of Dre’s music. “You are wrongfully exploiting this work through the various social media outlets to promote your divisive and hateful political agenda,” King wrote. “Demand is hereby made that you cease and desist from any further unauthorized use of [Dr. Dre’s] music.”
Greene, the controversial Republican congresswoman from Georgia, had used the “Still D.R.E.” instrumental in a since-removed video she posted on Twitter to celebrate Kevin McCarthy’s election as speaker of the House. When reached by Pitchfork, a representative shared the following statement from the congresswoman to Dr. Dre: “While I appreciate the creative chord progression, I would never play your words of violence against women and police officers, and your glorification of the thug life and drugs.”
Musicians have often asked politicians to stop using their music without permission. Neil Young, for one, went so far as to sue Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign over the use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” at rallies and events.
Marjorie Taylor Greene is a Trump supporter who has repeated false claims of election fraud. She has also shown support for the conspiracy theory movement QAnon, made Islamophobic and antisemitic remarks, and had her Twitter account suspended for months after spreading misinformation about COVID-19.
Matthew Strauss
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