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Ed OBrien Says Radiohead Regrets Not Making an Album with Dr. Dre
Ed O’Brien, guitarist for the English alternative‑rock band Radio Head, revealed on the Broken Record podcast that he wishes the group had recorded an album with hip‑hop producer Dr. Dre. The comment came during a September 11, 2026 episode in which O’Brien discussed the band’s influences and the possibility of a cross‑genre collaboration.
O’Brien explained that Radio Head’s music already contained “riffs galore” and “pockets and grooves galore,” and that he believed Dr. Dre could have taken the material in a direction that would have surprised listeners. He said, “In a parallel universe, we’d have gone in and done a record with Dre. I just thought he could take it, because we had riffs galore and we had pockets and grooves galore.” The guitarist also noted that he appreciated when hip‑hop artists sampled Radio Head, saying, “I loved it because that meant that…there was a bit of a groove to what you did.”
The suggestion is not entirely new. In the early 2000s, Radio Head was reportedly in talks to work with Dr. Dre on the Kid A album, a project that marked a shift toward electronic and experimental sounds. While the collaboration never materialised, the idea has resurfaced in interviews with band members, including O’Brien.
Dr. Dre, born Andre Romell Young, is a foundational figure in West‑Coast hip‑hop. He rose to prominence as a member of N.W.A. and later as the producer behind seminal releases such as The Chronic (1992) and 2001 (1999). His production style, characterized by layered synths and heavy bass, has influenced a wide range of artists across genres.
Radio Head’s history of experimentation—spanning albums such as OK Computer (1997), Kid A (2000), and the rhythm‑focused The King of Limbs (2011)—provides a context for O’Brien’s speculation. The band’s willingness to incorporate electronic elements and unconventional structures has led to occasional cross‑genre collaborations, including the 2015 remix of their track “Lotus” by the electronic duo Four Tet.
O’Brien’s comments came amid a broader conversation about the band’s recent activities. Radio Head completed a European tour in 2025 and released a new single in early 2026. Meanwhile, O’Brien has pursued solo projects, most recently his 2026 album Blue Morpho, which explores sonic textures influenced by his time in Brazil.
The host of Broken Record acknowledged the improbability of a Radio Head–Dr. Dre partnership, joking that it might happen in “another lifetime.” The remark underscores the logistical and stylistic challenges that would accompany such a collaboration.
Industry observers note that while cross‑genre projects can generate commercial interest, they also risk alienating core fan bases. Radio Head’s fan base, accustomed to the band’s avant‑garde approach, may have mixed reactions to a hip‑hop‑centric record. Similarly, Dr. Dre’s production signature is deeply rooted in rap and R&B, which could clash with Radio Head’s atmospheric guitar work.
Despite these challenges, the idea of a Radio Head–Dr. Dre album remains a point of fascination for music journalists and fans alike. It highlights the ongoing dialogue between rock and hip‑hop communities and the potential for unexpected creative synergies.
In summary, Ed O’Brien’s statement on Broken Record reflects a personal wish rather than a concrete plan. The collaboration remains unlikely, and no official discussions have been reported. The conversation, however, adds to the narrative of Radio Head’s willingness to explore new musical territories and Dr. Dre’s influence beyond traditional hip‑hop boundaries.
O’Brien explained that Radio Head’s music already contained “riffs galore” and “pockets and grooves galore,” and that he believed Dr. Dre could have taken the material in a direction that would have surprised listeners. He said, “In a parallel universe, we’d have gone in and done a record with Dre. I just thought he could take it, because we had riffs galore and we had pockets and grooves galore.” The guitarist also noted that he appreciated when hip‑hop artists sampled Radio Head, saying, “I loved it because that meant that…there was a bit of a groove to what you did.”
The suggestion is not entirely new. In the early 2000s, Radio Head was reportedly in talks to work with Dr. Dre on the Kid A album, a project that marked a shift toward electronic and experimental sounds. While the collaboration never materialised, the idea has resurfaced in interviews with band members, including O’Brien.
Dr. Dre, born Andre Romell Young, is a foundational figure in West‑Coast hip‑hop. He rose to prominence as a member of N.W.A. and later as the producer behind seminal releases such as The Chronic (1992) and 2001 (1999). His production style, characterized by layered synths and heavy bass, has influenced a wide range of artists across genres.
Radio Head’s history of experimentation—spanning albums such as OK Computer (1997), Kid A (2000), and the rhythm‑focused The King of Limbs (2011)—provides a context for O’Brien’s speculation. The band’s willingness to incorporate electronic elements and unconventional structures has led to occasional cross‑genre collaborations, including the 2015 remix of their track “Lotus” by the electronic duo Four Tet.
O’Brien’s comments came amid a broader conversation about the band’s recent activities. Radio Head completed a European tour in 2025 and released a new single in early 2026. Meanwhile, O’Brien has pursued solo projects, most recently his 2026 album Blue Morpho, which explores sonic textures influenced by his time in Brazil.
The host of Broken Record acknowledged the improbability of a Radio Head–Dr. Dre partnership, joking that it might happen in “another lifetime.” The remark underscores the logistical and stylistic challenges that would accompany such a collaboration.
Industry observers note that while cross‑genre projects can generate commercial interest, they also risk alienating core fan bases. Radio Head’s fan base, accustomed to the band’s avant‑garde approach, may have mixed reactions to a hip‑hop‑centric record. Similarly, Dr. Dre’s production signature is deeply rooted in rap and R&B, which could clash with Radio Head’s atmospheric guitar work.
Despite these challenges, the idea of a Radio Head–Dr. Dre album remains a point of fascination for music journalists and fans alike. It highlights the ongoing dialogue between rock and hip‑hop communities and the potential for unexpected creative synergies.
In summary, Ed O’Brien’s statement on Broken Record reflects a personal wish rather than a concrete plan. The collaboration remains unlikely, and no official discussions have been reported. The conversation, however, adds to the narrative of Radio Head’s willingness to explore new musical territories and Dr. Dre’s influence beyond traditional hip‑hop boundaries.