Derby City Council defends use of Dr Dre track at mayor handover

Derby City Council has defended its decision to play an instrumental version of a Dr Dre track during its annual Mayor Making ceremony after a councillor dubbed it "highly inappropriate". Outgoing mayor, Liberal Democrat councillor Ajit Atwal, chose the introduction to the rapper's 1999 hit Still D.R.E during the opening of the ceremony on Wednesday in keeping with the tradition of allowing both departing and incoming mayors to select music clips. The full version of the song, which features Snoop Dogg and reached number six, includes swearing and drug references. However the authority said using the short instrumental section "does not imply endorsement of the full track or its lyrics". The council added allowing a choice of songs brought a "personal touch" and a "modern twist" to the formal ceremony. But a councillor, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It's highly inappropriate. I was a bit shocked. I thought they chose the wrong track." The music choice also attracted criticism on social media although others voiced their support. Following the handover of the mayoral reins from Atwal, his replacement, Conservative councillor Jonathan Sma

May 23, 2026 → May 23, 2026