On November 1, 2004, Andre Louis Hicks, also known as Mac Dre, passed away at the age of 34. Born in Oakland, California, Mac Dre began his career in the early 1990's as part of the Bay Area hip-hop scene. He released numerous albums and mixtapes and was a pioneer of the Hyphy movement. He also founded Thizz Entertainment, a record label that helped popularize regional rap music during the 2000s. His music has been highly influential and inspired generations of Bay Area artists. Mac Dre will be remembered for his unique sound and vision, which were beloved by fans around the world. He left behind a legacy of original lyrics and an impressive discography. His life was sadly taken far too soon. He will be deeply missed.