August 07, 2008

Will Dr. Dre Drop Booze And 'Detox' Within Next Two Months?

By Gil Kaufman (MTV.com)

In a marketing scheme that represents one of the strangest juxtapositions in recent memory, Bloomberg.com reports that the upcoming debut of Dr. Dre's new line of cognac and vodka will be tied to the release of his long-anticipated album, Detox.

A press release from Drinks Americas Holdings Ltd. - the folks behind other celebrity-backed liquors such as Trump Super Premium Vodka and Willie Nelson's Old Whiskey River Bourbon - announced that the new drinks, Aftermath Cognac and a line of 80-proof flavored and unflavored sparkling vodkas, will hit shelves within the next 60 days.

"These products are to be introduced in coordination with the launch of Dr. Dre's long-awaited Detox album, and will be supported by a fully integrated marketing program with the performer and his record company," according to the release. The Dre booze brands are part of a joint venture between Drinks Americas and Dre's label, Interscope Geffen A&M Records.

Last month, Dre told USA Today that he expected the album, his first full-length effort since 1999's 2001, to be released in "November or December."

"I'm just now - over the last couple of months - starting to feel that it's going to be right and it's something I can be proud of, and everybody is going to love it," Dre told the paper.

A spokesperson for Dre could not be reached for comment at press time to confirm a release date for Detox, but 50 Cent recently told MTV News that he had recorded songs with Dre for the album and joked that they're so great, he wants them back.