Dr Dre to receive first Hip-Hop Icon Award from music industry group ASCAP

Dr Dre will need to make room in his trophy case for another prestigious award.

He will receive the first ASCAP Hip-Hop Icon Award, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers said on Tuesday.

Dr Dre will be honoured at the organisation’s Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Paul Williams, chairman of the board and president of  ASCAP, said: “Dr Dre’s groundbreaking early work laid a foundation for hip-hop as we know it today.

“As a champion for some of today’s biggest artists and a successful entrepreneur, he changed the culture around hip-hop.”

The honour Dre is receiving will be presented to ASCAP members whose musical contributions have made an “indelible impact” on the art and culture of hip-hop.

DJ Kid Capri and DJ Drama will provide music for Thursday’s event, which will celebrate 50 years of hip-hop.

Dr Dre, a seven-time Grammy winner, has produced big hits for Jay-Z, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Nas and 50 Cent.

He won his first Emmy for last year’s Super Bowl halftime performance with Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Lamar and 50 Cent.

The prolific producer emerged from the west coast gangster rap scene alongside Eazy-E and Ice Cube as part of the group N.W.A., which made a major mark in the hip-hop culture and music industry with controversial lyrics in the late 1980s.

Earlier this year, Dr Dre celebrated the 30th anniversary of The Chronic with a re-release of his highly acclaimed debut studio album.

In 2010 he was honoured with the ASCAP’s Founders Award.