Two years after his untimely death, Oakland's Mac Dre was recognized as a pioneer for Hyphy music, as rappers such as Mistah FAB, Keak Da Sneak and E-40 struck gold with radio play and major record deals.Over four years since his murder in Kansas City, Missouri, Mac Dre's story away from music is coming to life on BET's American Gangster series. The veteran rapper was affiliated with The Romper Room, a gang known through Vallejo, California for bank robberies, which led to a five-year prison bid for bank robbery conspiracy, from 1991 to 1996. The episode will chronicle the Northern California gang that was the namesake for early Dre label, Romp Records and the controversial album The Rompilation.
In 2004, Dre's mother, Wanda Salvatto, told The San Francisco Chronicle of her son's misinterpreted legacy, "He wouldn't want his legacy to be that. He got through that and had been living a healthy, clean life. ... He started in the streets, and he got himself out."
After Dre's murder, a series of retaliation murders occurred, leading to numerous charges, including against E-40 and Snoop Dogg affiliate Mac Minister.
The episode will be directed by famed mixtape and DVD host DJ Vlad, who lived in San Francisco, before relocating to New York later in his career. It will air as a part of the series new season. Previous Hip Hop affiliates have included Chaz Williams of Black Hand Entertainment.
Thizz Entertainment most recently released Dre Area, a compilation tribute to the slain rapper, featuring Mistah FAB, Too Short and Dubee.
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