In May, 2013, Jimmy Iovine and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young endowed the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation with a transformational $70 million gift to the University of Southern California. The Academy enrolled its inaugural class of freshmen in Fall 2014 and graduated its first class of seniors in Spring 2018. In Fall 2017, the Academy launched the first graduate program to model this same approach, the online Master of Integrated Design, Business and Technology, which graduated its first class in Spring 2019. 

 In 2019, the Academy celebrated the opening of Iovine and Young Hall. The 40,000 square foot, state-of-the-art building that is the full physical manifestation of the unique educational vision inspired by Jimmy and Dre. 

Jimmy Iovine is regarded as both a legendary figure in the music industry as well as a forward-thinking visionary. Iovine, along with hip hop pioneer Dr. Dre, is the co-founder and CEO of Beats Electronics (Beats) and Beats Music, which were both purchased by Apple Inc. in 2014. He is also the founder and former Chairman of Universal Music Group’s Interscope Geffen A&M Records unit.

“This is a new education for a new world – interdisciplinary, collaborative, real-world. Academy students have the edge because they’re learning to understand multiple points of view and innovate at the intersection of tech, design, culture, and business.” 

Andre Young, also known as Dr. Dre, was born in Compton, California, and began his career as a DJ in clubs around Compton and South Central Los Angeles. He cofounded N.W.A., which illustrated life in South Central with the album Straight Outta Compton. In 1992, Young released his solo debut, the masterpiece The Chronic. He followed with a second solo album, the six-time platinum Dr. Dre 2001. In 1996, Young launched Aftermath Entertainment, where he discovered hip-hop superstars 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem. 

"I think technology and creativity go hand in hand. If you can master both techniques I think you have the upper hand, especially in today’s world." - Dr. Dre 