Dr. Dre. Suit Still On

A federal court judge in Flint, Mich., heard arguments March 21st to dismiss a lawsuit that former Detroit city employees filed against Dr. Dre and others in connection with the “Up In Smoke” tour documentary that was videotaped five years ago.

The lawsuit, filed in 2002, involves video footage taken backstage at a July 2000 concert headlined by the rapper at Joe Louis Arena.

Former mayoral spokesperson Greg Bowens and former police officials Paula Bridges and Gary Brown allege a hidden camera and microphones were used “to intercept, eavesdrop upon and record” an angry exchange between themselves and some of Dre’s representatives. The suit claims the resulting footage was used in the documentary without the plaintiffs’ knowledge or consent.

Defense attorney Herschel Fink previously said the lawsuit was baseless because everyone involved in the spat knew the cameras were rolling.

Defendants named in the suit include Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Young; tour promoter Magic Johnson, whose Dream Team LLC was one of the promoters; and Panavision, which provided the video equipment used in the production.

U.S. District Court Judge Paul Gadola is expected to issue a decision on the motion shortly.