Dr. Dre TV Series ‘Vital Signs’ In The Works, ‘Ain’t Nuthin’ But A TV Thang’

A new Dr. Dre TV series is being made, and it could be the starting point of a whole new career for the media superstar. Vital Signs appears to be taking a shot at the new trend of streaming online TV by putting the rapper in the lead role.

Andre Young got his start in show business back in the ’80s alongside fellow musical revolutionaries Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson) and Eazy-E (Eric Lynn Wright). The group N.W.A. (which means something you shouldn’t say out loud) spawned a whole new genre of rap when they spoke out against police and the struggles they faced as black men in Southern California. Eventually there was a falling out, with Ice Cube going solo to carry on the message.

However, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E had started a rivalry which bled into their music and inspired such hits as “Dre Day” and “Real Compton City G’s.” After the death of Eazy-E, which Suge Knight joked about and the media picked up on decades later, Andre knew he needed to take a new direction.

Not quite ready for a Dr. Dre TV series, the rapper went into business for himself, signing such successful acts as Snoop Doggy Dogg and Eminem. After that, he went on to create sound equipment which rivaled what was already on the market. Beats by Dre became so successful that movies have been using the headphones and other products such as “the pill” (featured in Transformers: Age of Extinction) as props.

The recent success of Straight Outta Compton may have given Dr. Dre a new idea where his career can go, having worked with his younger doppelganger Corey Hawkins to tell the story of N.W.A. and its journey into fame and notoriety.

Now Apple appears to be partnering with the rapper for what could be another new direction for his career. A Dr. Dre TV series known as Vital Signs is set to be a drama focusing on the main character’s emotions. It is unknown how that will work, since as a drama it most likely won’t be following the methods of Herman’s Head. In that show, which featured Simpsons veteran Yeardley Smith, a collection of actors played out various inner voices as Herman went about his day.

According to Digital Spy, Vital Signs is currently a six-episode story where each episode deals with a different emotion for Andre’s character. It’s a relatively original concept, and may be limited by its subject matter if there aren’t plans to continue beyond that idea. Being executive produced by its star, it’s likely to be a gritty and violent show.

One scene filmed this week is said to include a massive orgy, which the Hollywood Reporter claims was filmed in a Bird Streets neighborhood mansion in Hollywood Hills.

The Dr. Dre TV series will be co-produced by Aaron Ginsburg and William Green under the Eye Candy banner. It will be directed by veteran music video producer Paul Hunter, whose credits include videos for Marilyn Manson, Eminem, and Michael Jackson, as well as the comedy Bulletproof Monk.

It looks like Apple is working on its first-ever TV drama… with Dr Dre as its star https://t.co/7ikGgOsYtk pic.twitter.com/ZI9YT00SGp

— Digital Spy (@digitalspy) February 12, 2016

Sources claim that Apple may be pushing the show as their first TV series on Apple Music, and throwing all six episodes on Netflix at once. This may be the first of many TV projects Apple and Dr. Dre plan to collaborate on if it proves a success, and could prove to be the predecessor to the next Breaking Bad.

Apple is said to be working with artists already signed with them to possibly create more TV shows in the future. Eventually they may expand on their scripted series ventures.

First, it seems the Dr. Dre TV series Vital Signs will test the proverbial waters and decide for Apple if it’s worth moving forward.

[Feature image via Jason Kempin / Getty Images]