Las Vegas — The Nevada night sky was suddenly lit up by a giant fireball. The explosion tore through the quiet desert air. It was the moment a helicopter carrying Dr. Dre, the 60-year-old hip-hop legend, crashed near the edge of Lake Mead while en route to Las Vegas for a special 30-year career anniversary concert.

Witnesses said “a flash of light went up in the air, then the helicopter fell like a dying star.”

In video recorded by local residents, the black and silver Sikorsky helicopter bearing the Aftermath logo burst into flames before hitting the ground. The terrifying sound was heard for miles. “I thought there was a bomb,” – a truck driver recounted. “When I ran over, everything was just burning metal and black smoke.”

Rescue teams from the Nevada Department of Aviation took more than 40 minutes to reach the scene due to the difficult terrain. When they arrived, the fire was still smoldering, ash filled the air. Paramedics in fire-resistant suits struggled to pull bodies from the rubble. “Some of the victims were burned beyond recognition,” said rescue team leader Mark Harlan. “We found passports and a piece of metal with Dre’s name on it near the body.”

It was a harrowing scene: charred debris scattered across the desert sand, a mini-bass speaker still playing unfinished music — “Still D.R.E.” blared through the ashes like a farewell. Paparazzi and reporters jostled around the perimeter, flashbulbs mingling with the red glow of ambulances, reflecting off fans’ tears.

Portable speakers

In Los Angeles, hundreds of fans gathered outside Aftermath Studios. They lit candles, holding up a photo of Dre in a white suit. “He was the soul of hip-hop,” said a young rapper. “No one thought he would go like this.”

Las Vegas police confirmed that the helicopter was carrying six people, including Dr. Dre, two crew members and three sound technicians. The initial cause is suspected to be engine failure and unusually strong winds at low altitude. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened an investigation, while witnesses said they heard “a small explosion” before the plane lost balance.

At Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, doctors worked through the night. Two people found in critical condition were taken to the ICU. “One of them was identified as the co-pilot,” – the chief doctor shared. “As for Dr. Dre… we still cannot confirm his identity because the body was too deformed.”

The news spread in a flash. The hashtags #PrayForDre and #GoodbyeDrDre dominated the entire global social network. Artists who have collaborated with him – Eminem, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent – ​​all shared the black-and-white fist emoji, along with the words: “We ride with you forever.”

Eminem wrote succinctly on X: “Can’t breathe. He’s the one who saved me.”

On the Las Vegas Strip, where Dre was scheduled to perform tonight, the entire LED screen went black. Thousands gathered in silence, neon lights reflecting off sad faces. A DJ played a tearful rendition of “Forgot About Dre,” prompting the crowd to rap along, their voices trembling.

Hours later, local media reported a “double incident”: while rescue teams were cleaning up the scene, a passing fuel truck blew a tire, slid into a fence and caught fire, delaying rescue efforts for another hour. “Like a curse,” – a Reuters reporter described. “Fire broke out again where Dre had just fallen.”

Early the next morning, Sunrise Hospital officially confirmed: Dr. Dre had died at 3:47 a.m. from multiple injuries and burns all over his body. The announcement was read to sobbing fans outside. “He went like a torch – burning bright and eternal,” – the doctor said, his eyes brimming with tears.

Hollywood was shocked. The Capitol Records building flew its flag at half-mast. The White House issued a memorial statement, calling Dre “a man who changed American music with the rhythm of freedom.”

In Compton, his birthplace, hundreds of people held a candlelight vigil, hanging speakers that played The Chronic all night. The flickering candlelight reflected on a giant mural of Dre’s face, his eyes looking up to the sky.

The next day, Snoop Dogg appeared before the crowd in Los Angeles, holding a microphone, his voice choked:
“Dre taught us to turn pain into music. Today, the world lost its biggest beat.”

The whole city was silent for a minute.
In the sky, a flock of memorial helicopters flew by, dropping thousands of white petals. A light drizzle fell, and the police lights reflected on the wet road like tears of the world.

A young fan knelt down, placed his Beats headphones next to Dre’s picture, and whispered:
“He’s not dead. He’s just remixing music in a higher place.”