The Untold Truth Of Dr. Dre's Children

Dr. Dre has become a music legend throughout his illustrious career. As a founding member of the iconic hip-hop group "N.W.A," solo artist of acclaimed album "The Chronic," entrepreneur of a popular headphone brand, and producer that is known around the world, it leaves fans curious to learn more about his personal life. Following a mega return to the spotlight with Dre's performance in the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show alongside Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent, it is intriguing to know that some of his children are continuing to follow paths toward musical pursuits.

Dre has had many relationships over the years, prompting many children and even more drama that varies between widely publicized and kept very quiet. Regardless, these are the things that make up the man's legacy. So let's take a closer look at the branches on Dre's family tree, starting with the women in his life and the children he had with each.

Dr. Dre met the mother of his first child when he was 16 in high school, then 15-year-old Cassandra Joy Greene. She gave birth to their son, Curtis (pictured above), in 1981. Greene was the one to raise Curtis and Dre didn't officially meet his son until two decades later.

Curtis told XXL he discovered who his famous father was when he was 12 and a young kid who was already interested in pursuing music. A few years later, he started the process of getting in touch with Dre, which was a difficult task to even start, but after connecting with lawyers and getting a DNA test, he met his father when he was 20. Despite the missed years, all seems well between the two. "It's been good. We're both working ... I always want to paint him in the best light that I can," he said. Curtis explained he doesn't get money from his dad, adding, "I don't want that from him because I have my own story and I want my own legacy. Or at least to continue what he started."

The young rapper has gone by Hood Surgeon in the past but is now sticking with Curtis Young, taking Dre's last name. TMZ reported in 2021 that he would star in a film called "Charge It to the Game" and is composing its original music. The ensemble is set to include Snoop Dogg's son Julian Broadus and Swizz Beat's son Nasir Dean.

Dr. Dre took interest in Lisa Johnson around the same time as Cassandra Joy Greene, as Johnson claimed to journalist Ben Westhoff for his book, "Original Gangstas." Johnson gave birth to their daughter LaTanya (pictured above) in 1983 and noted that Dre "was a real proud father at the time."

Despite Dre supposedly cheating on her and getting another woman pregnant, they welcomed two more children together, Johnson claimed — LaToya and Ashley. But their growing family didn't solve the relationship issues, with Westhoff citing a police report filed by Johnson, in which she accused Dr. Dre of physical abuse. Although criminal charges were never filed, as Westhoff noted, Johnson was awarded child support and granted a restraining order. Still, issues persisted. "He didn't do any child support, and he did not stop contacting me," she claimed, alleging further that financial support only came in the 90's well into Dre's success.

Not much is known about LaToya and Ashley (Dre has not confirmed they're his children, according to Hollywood Life) but LaTanya has been more vocal. In 2021, Dre's eldest daughter revealed to the Daily Mail that she was unhoused, living out of her car to save up money while her four children lived with friends. She explained that Dre has given some financial support in the past, but does not have direct contact with him, and claimed he's not interested in sending more help because she went to the press. "I feel like I'm damned if I do, I'm damned if I don't," LaTanya shared.

During Dr. Dre's relationship with Lisa Johnson, he had his daughter Tyra with another woman. Many publications refer to the mother as an unidentified woman, while author Ben Westhoff names her as LaVetta Washington. Little is known about this part of the family beyond a couple of producing and acting credits on Tyra's IMDb.

After his relationship with these women, Dre briefly dated Jenita Porter. She gave birth to son Andre Young Jr. in 1988 — the same year the couple split. Porter sued Dre two years later seeking $5,000 per month in child support, per the Los Angeles Times. Porter stated that despite promising financial support before their child's birth, Dre only sent a small amount of cash, diapers, and a few gifts, according to the outlet.

Tragedy struck in 2008 when Andre Jr. was found dead by his mother due to an accidental overdose of heroin and morphine. He was 20 years old. At the time, Dre's publicist made an official statement of the rapper mourning the loss. In 2014, Curtis Young tweeted a photo of Andre Jr. with the caption, "Missing you lil bro."

In 1988, Dr. Dre started a longer relationship with R&B singer Michel'le Toussaint — known artistically as her first name. She rose to brief popularity with singles "Something in My Heart" and "No More Lies," and her vocals were often featured on albums for Ruthless Records and Death Row Records, according to the U.S. Sun. The pair were engaged for a time and in 1991, Michel'le gave birth to their son Marcel.

The couple split in 1996, and according to Essence, Michel'le claimed Dre was physically violent with her throughout the relationship. Her experience during this time period was adapted into a 2016 Lifetime biopic called "Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le." Dre has denied accusations relating to his ex.

Marcel stays out of the spotlight for the most part. Despite strained relationships and a tumultuous history between Dre and herself, Michel'le told Ben Westhoff, "When my mom and my grandma died, he came into my son's life. They have a good relationship."

Dr. Dre and Nicole Young married in 1996 after dating for only four months. Unlike Dre's previous relationships, this one was able to last for decades, per Biography. Dre and Nicole had a son named Truice in 1997 and a daughter named Truly in 2001. The youngest of the rap icon's children, Truly, Truice, and their stepbrother Tyler are the most active on social media of the bunch. Truice is pursuing a career in music production and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2020. A celebratory post of the accomplishment on Instagram states, "a first in the young family."

Truly also has a passion for music, telling Vogue in 2017 that she wanted to forego lessons offered by her parents and learn how to sing and play guitar on her own. "As an artist I want to be able to inspire young people to break away from societal standards," she said. "My mom and dad allowed me to try anything without fear of being judged." The support of their children worked well, but as for their own relationship, Nicole and Dre called it quits after 24 years.

Nicole filed for divorce in 2020 citing irreconcilable differences, per TMZ, and it was finalized in 2021. According to court documents via Hollywood Life, Dre was ordered to pay his ex spousal support over $3.5 million per year until she remarries or "enters into a new domestic partnership." As for Dre, he's happy to be "divorced AF," but he remains dedicated to their kids.