Dr. Dre, New Line ink deal

NEW YORK, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- New Line Cinema and U.S. rap artist and producer Dr. Dre have signed a multiyear film deal through Dre's newly founded Crucial Films group.

Dre, who will co-produce with Phillip Atwell, said he plans to work on dark comedies for the New York-based New Line before moving into other movie genre, Daily Variety said. Dre also said he would contribute heavily to the music aspects of the projects.

"This is a natural switch for me, since I've directed a lot of music videos," Dre said of the production agreement. "And I eventually want to get into directing."

The rap star has scored films for New Line previously, including "Set It Off."

Dre has produced albums that sold more than 80 million worldwide and won four Grammy Awards.

Beginning his career in 1986 as founding member of the rap group N.W.A., Dre is the CEO of Aftermath Records.