Becoming established as a well-respected West Coast rapper is not a simple task nowadays. With the game locked by rap veterans such as Snoop Dogg and the Game, there seems to be little room for new talent. However, with raw lyricists, like Dre Dane, making a mark on the scene the game is about to change. Dre "the Gr8" Dane, born in Pasadena, CA., brings to the game a sense of reality, that people can relate, combined with a lifestyle not common among most west coast hip-hop artists. "I never gang banged, because I had all the family I needed in my life," he said. "I'm just a poet analyzing nature. Nothing more nothing less." Growing up the youngest of four children, Dre was introduced to hip-hop around the age of four when he and his older brother free-styled about video games and cartoons. "I was rhyming before I was writing," he said. As a child, his musical inspirations were influential rap artists such as Big Daddy Kane, DJ Quik and Scarface. "They made songs that I wanted to be a part of. I felt their vibes," he said. The melodic beats that became Quik's signature trait along with the unique and original sounds of both Big Daddy Kane and Scarface, motivated Dre to take the craft of hip-hop more seriously. Dre's ability to entertain audiences and provoke thoughts through his music has earned him the title of one of L.A. County's most anticipated lyricists. "I'm not a preacher, I'm a deliverer," he said. "I'm a story-teller and a scene setter. I want people to see and feel what I'm saying." From club-bangers like "Chronic Cologne" and "Way of Life" to more personal flows like "1st Love", Dre's songs and lyrics force hip-hop lovers to connect with his style. Although Dre Dane represents with the west coast, his universal sound and delivery will appeal to fans from any region. But it doesn't stop there. His knowledge of the game, inside and out, led him to experiment with its business aspect, and in June 2004 establish The High Bred Corp. to serve as the breeding grounds for up and coming artists. Using the Internet as its means to expose and distribute underground music, High Bred's mission is to cultivate new talent to prepare them for mainstream. Dre's compassion of music and ability to think outside of the box is the driving force that will become High Bred's success. "Everybody's mission is to put the west coast back on the map, but who has the capacity to do it?" he said. "Just wait and see."