"Dre's getting piano lessons from Burt Bacharach" --DJ Quik on Detox, many other projects...

You're welcome. (C) Stewie Griffin

Dr. Dre Eyeing "November or December" for Detox

(swiped from Pitchfork Media)

Not to be outdone by Axl Rose's hints at releasing Chinese Democracy this fall, Dr. Dre recently told USA Today [via Rollingstone.com] that he is "shooting for a November or December release" for his own oft-delayed masterwork, Detox. However, he preceded the statement by saying "in a perfect world," so let's not hold our breath here, people.

"I'm just now-- over the last couple of months-- starting to feel that it's going to be right and it's something I can be proud of, and everybody is going to love it," Dre said to USA Today.

Dre also said Detox's beats consist of a lot of live drums and that "usual suspects" such as Nas, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne will make guest appearances.

Whenever it happens, Detox will come out on Dre's own Aftermath/Interscope label.

After the record is released (if ever), the rapper/producer told USA Today that he'd like to find the next artist he can launch into the pop stratosphere, as he did with Eminem and 50 Cent (and kind of Snoop Dogg). "All I want to do is sit in the studio with that person for a year and try to create another masterpiece," he said.

In more definite Dr. Dre release news, the producer has teamed with Interscope/Geffen/A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine and a/v company Monster to release his own brand of "high definition powered isolation headphones," according to a press release.

The phones [pictured below] are called "Beats by Dr. Dre" and will be sold exclusively via Apple, Best Buy, and online starting July 25.

The price tag on the headphones is just shy of $350, but um...maybe Dr. Dre can sell you:

"Artists and producers work hard in the studio perfecting their sound, but people can't really hear it with normal headphones. Most headphones can't handle the bass, the detail, the dynamics. Bottom line: the music doesn't move you. With Beats, people are going to hear what the artists hear and listen to the music the way they should-- the way I do."

Video: Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg: Nuthin' But a G Thang [from The Chronic LP]

Dr. Dre: "Detox " To Be My Last Album

(swiped from Billboard)

Dr. Dre is eyeing 2008 for his first album in seven years, "Detox," but says the project will be his last. "I think it's time to move on," he tells the Los Angeles Times, calling rhyming "a young man's game." According to Interscope, there is no firm date for the album.

Whispers about "Detox" have leaked out over the years, with producer/multi-instrumentalist Mike Elizondo telling Billboard.com in 2005 that Dre was perfectly content to take his time finishing the effort.

"Dre has very high standards," Elizondo said. "He wants to shock the world and put something out that no one would have ever thought possible from a hip-hop artist. He's definitely going to take his time and make sure it's right."

The iconic rapper/producer made his first major public appearance in recent memory last month at the MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas. He is devoting the next two months to working on Eminem's next album, and tells the Times anything unrelated to producing, weight training and time with his family is not on his agenda.

However, there is new business to report. Dre recently inked a multi-year production pact with New Line Cinema, under which he will join longtime collaborator, director Phillip G. Atwelll, to score and possibly direct films.