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Dr Dre said to be starring in Apple Music’s first original series called Vital Signs

Dr Dre Apple

When Apple bought Beats back in 2014, it got a headphone/speaker line and the foundation for what became Apple Music. Now it appears that Beats co-founder and rap legend Dr Dre is going to be playing an even bigger role in the company. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Apple is currently producing an original series called Vital Signs with Dr Dre as the show’s star. It’s a new move for Apple, creating original video content, and one that is expected to be used to promote Apple Music.

While rumors of Apple developing a streaming TV package have been up and down over the last few years, there has been talk separately in recent months that Apple could be interested in creating original content as well. But Vital Signs is said to be distributed over Apple Music, not iTunes specifically or a new streaming package, which follows similar moves from Google’s YouTube to promote subscriptions.

THR notes that the series will run six-episodes long at around 30 minutes each with Apple funding the project. The series itself is described as a “semi-autobiographical” drama, which suggests it could resemble the film Compton that Apple Music made a point to promote along an exclusive soundtrack.

While technically a half-hour, the show is not a comedy. Instead, it is described as a dark drama with no shortage of violence and sex. In fact, an episode filming Monday and Tuesday this week featured an extended orgy scene. Sources tell THR  naked extras simulated sex in a mansion in the Bird Streets neighborhood of Los Angeles’ Hollywood Hills. (Dre’s wife Nicole Threatt Young was on set to witness the shenanigans, one insider says.)

The series is expected to be released all at once when it’s complete, although filming is still ongoing and the project hasn’t been officially announced. The report also notes that similar projects aren’t currently in development, although other series with artists on Apple Music remain possible.

The focus of the Vital Signs project seems to be promoting Apple Music through exposure and a likely-exclusive series. Dr Dre currently hosts a regularly scheduled radio show on Apple Music’s Internet streaming Beats 1 station as well.

Apple has previously experimented with Apple Music as a video platform as well. Music videos are already available on the platform, and late last year Apple Music exclusively carried Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour film for subscribers.

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Comments

  1. rogifan - 8 years ago

    Based on this description I have no issue in seeing this, I suppose Apple is using this as a trial for future original content bankrolled by Apple?

  2. well, not a reason for me to start an Apple Music subscription.

    • nmelkon1 - 8 years ago

      Xtly. Apple music is terrible.

      • twelve01 - 8 years ago

        terrible huh? It seems like a pretty good service to me – millions of users, massive catalogue of songs, integration of streaming and personal music library – not really that different from other large music streaming services. And if you hadn’t noticed, there are only a handful that are having any real success. So naturally, when someone says its terrible I assume a) they’re a troll, b) theyre too dense to learn new smartphone apps c) or both.

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

      It’ll be something that people with a sense of curiosity will sign up for.

    • yojimbo007 - 8 years ago

      Another confused approach???

      how would it be distributed through Applemusic? Applemusic is a platform For music/audio content right? And Apple has a video distibution channal iTunes(lol)🤔
      I guess Apple execs think keeping inline with the convoluted tradition of iTunes and its naming is a good thing.
      A music store named after a music terminology (tunes)…..doing contact and calendar syncs, software updates, renting movies, tv episodes, managing Apps, podcasts..photos…Etc…And oh yes Music too…(And music is how its started).
      The above,i guess, is logical for Apple’s ‘Think out of the box”….” keep it intuitive and simple” philosophy…..?!

      BUT Yet ..Apple thinks they should keep iTunes and Applemusic seperate when it comes to music??? ……
      I can subscribe to videos in Applemusic but I cant buy music in Applemusic… I can listen to my purchased music, i can listen to radio, i have access to all of Apples music library … I can discover music in many ways( through a confused ui) …But if i choose to purchase a track i discovered in Applemusic i have to switch to another app, ITunes to do so… Lol…WHY?? ? ridiculous ! Yet i can watch video subscriptions on Apple Music??

      I can see this video thing being done to get people to subscribe to Apple Music.. … Its a a good business model for constant recurring revenue …

      but Hey Apple :
      If Apple Music was intended to be channel for subscriptions only (and no purchase )and u had this in mind from the get go, (and i hope there is some kind of thought and long term planing involved in this kind of initiatives)………..Why call it Apple MUSIC ???😳🤔🤔🤔😳
      Didnt you learn anything from the itunes mess.?

      Apple music…a music app that allows me to watch videos but does not allow me to purchase music.

      How Coherent Apple… Or am i missing something here.
      Anyway.. A lot of rant …forgive me.. Its the frustration.
      Its stuff like this sprinkled all over the place that worries fans and investors…..
      Sigh..

  3. Randen Montalvo - 8 years ago

    Yea ,im happy on Tidal getting concerts boxing matches interviews events , series and exclusive music. Cancelled AM don’t think i will be going back for the same price. :)

  4. pretsky - 8 years ago

    After paying billions for Beats it’s clear Apple is struggling to find things for “Dr. Dre” to do at their company. Firing him would be a PR disaster, might even lead to a lawsuit. So it appears they’ll just play the role of an expensive daycare and let him play all day, making worthless content that no one wants.

  5. chrisl84 - 8 years ago

    Sounds classy Apple! The first TV series for Apple Music full of sex….way to get those family subscriptions going.

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

      Dre an actor. Hahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaha. The only part he could play is the role of a thug, misogynist, gangbanger and he doesn’t even need acting lessons to play those roles.

      This is going to be a train wreck.

    • twelve01 - 8 years ago

      Apple has had ‘adult’ content for some time. Just search available music, movies, tv shows on Apple Music, Apple TV. Ever hear of Game of Thrones? Most of which is consumed by people with families – e.g. red blooded human beings. Are you some kind of religious fundamentalist? If so, there’s a place in Syria (or Utah) for you.

  6. William Reid - 8 years ago

    Steve Jobs was against porn, I guess now that he is gone Apple no longer is.

    • twelve01 - 8 years ago

      there’s plenty of adult content on Apple TV. Always has been. Ever watch HBO, Showtime, Netflix? Same goes with Apple Music.

      • Yeah but Apple doesn’t produce those shows. Presumably this series will have an Apple Logo stamped on it. Unless they use just the production company name.

  7. banzboy - 8 years ago

    It’s good to know that extended orgy scenes are OK for Apple but porn apps are not.

  8. bdkennedy1 - 8 years ago

    I’ll be sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation.

  9. calisurfboy - 8 years ago

    Apple has officially jumped the shark……

  10. kingsleyzissou04 - 8 years ago

    This is a terrible move. I was really excited when I heard Apple was getting into the original content game, but not with that a$$-clown, Dr. Dre. This show sounds terrible, and not up to Apple’s standards.

  11. mrrvdio - 8 years ago

    maybe they could start having series like this in Connect to boost the using of the feature. If they did that I would use the feature more often.

  12. Jim Hassinger - 8 years ago

    I like it. They tried to make a deal with the studios and cable TV, and got the stiffarm. So, Comcast and Sony, do you want to have a company with $220 billion of cash on hand, and more profits in the last quarter than any company in the history of capitalism to start distributing films on its own? Joining Netflix and Amazon? Just a shot across the bow, but yes, they could make it happen. Apple Studios. Think about it, puny humans.

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.