For Dr. Dre, it was all about gratitude and giving back.
The West Coast rap legend teamed up with fellow performers Anderson .Paak and Sheila E. on Thursday night for the FireAid concert benefiting victims of the Southern California wildfires.
After taking the stage at the KIA Forum in Inglewood, Dr. Dre told the audience this summer marks his 40th year in the music business.
“I appreciate all the love that you’ve given me and the reason that we’re here, I appreciate all the first responders and all the firemen that put their lives on the line, and I appreciate all that love,” he said.
“It’s all about love for me tonight. Guess what else I’ve got?” he asked as the iconic 1995 single “California Love,” that he recorded with the late Tupac Shakur began to play.
Dre was joined by Anderson .Paak, who belted out some of the rap lyrics, while Sheila E. played the drums.
Related: Jennifer Hudson Highlights Altadena Resilience Amid LA Fires
Dr. Dre joined Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals to show some California Love at #FireAidLA pic.twitter.com/Tdsckb5b3E
— The Kia Forum (@thekiaforum) January 31, 2025
The concert was so big, that it took place in two separate venues — with L.A.’s Intuit Dome serving as the second location.
Other artists on the evening’s line-up included Stevie Wonder; Earth, Wind & Fire; and Lil Baby.
No Doubt, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Alanis Morissette, Dawes, Graham Nash, John Fogerty, The Black Crowes, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry performed as well.
According to the official press release, proceeds from FireAid will be distributed under the guidance of the Annenberg Foundation. Funds will go toward immediate relief for fire victims and long-term efforts to prevent future disasters in Southern California.
The concert streamed across Apple Music, Max, Netflix, Prime Video, SiriusXM, Spotify, and YouTube. Select AMC Theatres also showed the event, and donations could be made through the FireAid website.
The event was produced by philanthropists Shelli and Irving Azoff, in collaboration with Live Nation and AEG Presents.
The fires broke out on Tuesday, Jan. 7, in areas including Pacific Palisades, the Altadena and Pasadena communities, Hollywood, Sylmar, West Hills, and Castaic.
At least 29 people lost their lives and more than 16,000 structures were lost in the raging wildfires, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
The fires were exacerbated by dry conditions, low humidity, and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds that blew burning embers to other areas.
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