About Yung Dre

Talented, versatile and determined are all adjectives that accurately describe Yung Dre, the artist. Intellectual, relatable and affable are all terms that define Andrae Jones, the man. Grounded by the fundamentals of life experience, combined with his studious nature, keen sense of self awareness and ability to harness the intangible qualities that escape most artists, Dre exemplifies the old adage; "It's not a matter of if, but when". Dre is not simply the type of person that draws you in, but he's the rare breed that forces you to not only see the world through his perspective, but also connects with you on a level that convinces you that you've shared his vision all along. Your pain is his burden. Your dreams are his aspirations. In turn, the story of his success will read less like a fairy tale, and more like an instruction manual for those searching for guidance and understanding. 

Born and raised in Blackriver, Jamaica, "communal" was a designation that illustrated the best and worst of life for Dre, his family and his neighbors. Being high school sweethearts, there was a familiarity between the families of his parents that is often overlooked by those that don't grow up in such close knit communities. At the same time, it was impossible to escape the violence, poverty and despair that constantly reared it's ugly face, scarred it's victims and instilled feelings of hopelessness. The same year he was born, Dre's father left Jamaica, seeking a better life in Toronto, Canada. A decade later, the impact of that decision would be felt in a profound way. 

At the age of 10, the trajectory of Dre's life was completely altered by the gravity of his situation. The prospects of a better education and a brighter, safer future couldn't be ignored. Blessed with a mother whose ego was dwarfed by her inner strength and devotion to her child's well-being, he left Jamaica to live with his father in Toronto. While the long term benefits of that transition are undeniable, the road ahead was no doubt rocky. His desire to bond with a father he barely knew was hampered by a step mother that he couldn't meet eye to eye. Their tension lead to the friction that crumbled the relationship between him and his father. By 15, after a short stint in the foster care system, Dre found himself in a position that's unfamiliar to most at that age. He was on his own. 

His tumultuous home life exacerbated what was already a heightened unease with a literally foreign peer group. His response was to retreat, seeking comfort in the pen and paper that projected and housed his inner most thoughts and feelings. Sole witness to the birth of a poet, Dre's language teacher facilitated his first leap into the spotlight. After reading one of his poems aloud to the class, the support he received would serve as a beacon of light, bringing visibility to the social acceptance his modesty had left in the dark. 

Shortly after, Dre connected with a fellow artist that would become instrumental in his professional and personal development. Starting out as the boy engineer that helped Dre discover his sound, Andrew Gamble morphed into the man that would become his chief advisor, confidant and best friend. Together through high school, Dre continued to hone his craft, while simultaneously excelling at his studies. Upon graduation, in pursuit of a divergent childhood dream, Dre relocated to Calgary. While this move would indeed put physical distance between the two, like twins conjoined at the soul, their kindred spirits have never separated. 

The significance of that plane ride from Jamaica to Canada would prove to be even greater than what it seemed at the time. After receiving an invitation to visit the cockpit, Dre had the chance to view a picture of the world that most people will never have the privilege to gaze upon. The eye candy produced a sugar high that he never came down from, so he couldn't pass up the opportunity to enroll in the Aviation Maintenance Engineering program at SAIT, one of Canada's most prestigious polytechnic schools. Unable to let go of his true love, Dre folded up the security of his education, put it in his back pocket, and got back to the business of his art. 

Once he teamed up with Shea "Chedda Cheese" Rodger, a musical engineer he met shortly after moving to Calgary, Dre was laser focused on continuous evolution. Together, they cemented his artistic foundation by experimenting with various sounds and exploring a wide array of concepts. In turn, their shared, cohesive vision has provided a blueprint, as well as a bounty of material in which they've used to build his brand. Realizing that music is a business, not simply a product, Dre's search for guidance ended when he crossed paths with Amanda Miles, founder and CEO of the Atlanta based PR firm Hip Hop Headquarters. After landing him the opening for Future's tour stop in Calgary, there was no denying that her exceptional business acumen was the missing piece that completed a team that would collectively hold his future in their hands. 

This assemble cast has brought truth to another adage; "team work makes the dream work". From starting his indie record label "Write From Skratch Inc" in 2015, to securing the position of Artist Ambassador for TalaLuvs Radio and SNC Galaxy Services in 2019, Dre has proven that rising stars are propelled by energy. For Dre, music isn't a hobby, a job or hustle that could fund first class tickets for an ego trip. In his mind, writing is therapeutic. Music is the life blood that keeps his heart pumping. Reaching your core is his journey. The road ahead is as rocky as ever and the course is littered with obstacles, but that's a good thing for Dre. He learned a long time ago that there's no need to lift a boulder that's in his way. Instead, he uses it to sharpen his edge.