COME December, up-and-coming artiste Dre will be releasing his album titled 50 Shades of Dre.

Dre, whose real name is Andre Ruddock, is based in Atlanta. The 28-year-old Altanta-based artiste, a grandnephew of the late sound engineer pioneer Osbourne 'King Tubby' Rudd, describes his music as 'dreggae' — a fusion of reggae music with every other genre of music.

The former Wolmer's Boys' graduate said his inspiration to be an artiste began with the loss of his brother, best friend, and a cousin over the years.

"I grew up in music and my circumstances inspired me to get involved in it. When I left Jamaica, the only thing I could do was write. I started working on my craft and then it just kinda happened to me," Dre said.

He said he is more focused on making timeless tracks than searching for that one hit song.

"I don't think there are lots of artistes focusing on being relevant throughout the ages. For most people, it seems the main focus is having that hit song," Ruddock told the Jamaica Observer.

Ruddock, who grew up in Keystone, St Catherine, began his musical journey at age 17 as part of the T.E.F.L.O.N duo in Georgia Southern after migrating to Atlanta. In 2006, he transitioned to a solo career and went by the moniker Dre.