Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s collaborative relationship goes way back. Next month, rap’s new generation will experience their musical magic on their forthcoming album, Missionary. But for the two hip-hop legends, it all dates back to Death Row Records days.
The legacy label is certainly making a comeback thanks to Snoop Dogg’s purchase of it back in 2022. During a live taping of Drink Champs, Dr. Dre praised his longtime friend’s business decision. While chatting in front of the ComplexCon 2024 Las Vegas Convention Center crowd, Dr. Dre shared his feelings on the acquisition (viewable here, courtesy of HipHopDX).
“Let me tell you something, man. I was so upset when I heard that Snoop was doing the Death Row sh*t at the beginning,” he said. “Like, ‘N****, that shit has so much bullsh*t following it.’”
He continued, saying: “But now, I’m so happy about it and so impressed at what my brother’s doing because he’s taken the thing that we created and brought it back to life. I see his vision now. I appreciate it, and I’m proud of it.”
Moved by Dr. Dre’s semintental comments, Snoop Dogg replied with a touching response. “That made me feel good,” she said. “Thank y’all. Y’all tryna make a n**** cry.”
On this date in 1996, Tupac Amaru Shakur posthumously released the final album of his illustrious career.
26 years ago today, just two months after the untimely murder of Tupac on the Las Vegas strip alongside Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight, the fifth and final album, Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, was released. Recognized as ‘Pac’s most influential body of work, the Killuminati album was not only his most controversial, but its concept still has many of his fans believing that ‘Pac is still alive. Besides his beef with Nas, Jay-Z, B.I.G., and almost any relevant New York rapper you can think of, the album hinges on the life of Makaveli, a play on the name of Italian writer and philosopher Nicollo Machiavelli, who is believed to have staged his own death.
The album was originally set to be dropped in March of 1997, but after Shakur was killed, Death Row boss Suge Knight released the album four months later. Ironically, Brooklyn rap rival Notorious B.I.G. was shot down in Los Angeles, California on March 9, 1997.
The album, recorded in 12 days in August 1996, hosted a list of timeless, classic singles including “Hail Mary”, “Me And My Girlfriend” and “Against All Odds”; all of which were remade by premiere artists after Shakur’s death. The 5X platinum album has been listed as one of the top-selling Hip Hop albums of all time.
Legendary R&B and soul singer Danny Boy makes his highly anticipated return with his latest single, “My Everything,” featuring Snoop Dogg. Released today via Death Row/gamma.
The new track showcases Danny Boy’s signature vocal prowess and emotional depth that fans have come to love over the years. Produced by Mike & Keys, the track brings back the nostalgic warmth of a classic ’90s R&B love song. Released just before his wife’s birthday, Snoop Dogg pens a heartfelt dedication to her, honoring their love and devotion while celebrating their lasting bond.
Danny Boy’s latest release marks a pivotal moment in his storied career, celebrating his return to Death Row Records, the iconic label where he first rose to fame at just 16. Renowned for his soulful vocals on Tupac’s platinum hits like “I Ain’t Mad at Cha” and “Picture Me Rollin’,” Danny Boy was a key figure during West Coast hip-hop’s golden contributing his powerful voice to classics by MC Hammer, Twista, and Crucial Conflict. In 2010, he dropped his long-awaited debut LP, It’s About Time, a 15-track album featuring contributions from Roger Troutman, Jodeci’s DeVante Swing and JoJo, and DJ Quik, who handled much of its production. Danny Boy’s journey is filled with resilience and triumph, solidifying his place as one of R&B’s most powerful and iconic voices.
On this day in Hip Hop history,Eazy-E released his second solo EP It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa. Released one year after his first EP and a long five years after his debut album Eazy-Duz-It, this album was a response to Dr. Dre’s prolific debut The Chronic. Tensions became high between the two NWA heavyweights and after the group’s 1991 split, the beef became public.
The West Coast was in a state of civil war. After NWA’s explosive breakup, its ex-members spared no time to air out their grievances on every other record they released. With Ice Cube attacking the Ruthless Records infrastructure and Dr. Dre siding with the enemy (Suge Knight and Death Row) to bring down all Eazy had built, there was no choice but for Eazy-E to respond as he did. He used the bulk of this album to state his opinion on Dr. Dre and his street authenticity, with each of the eight tracks on the EP attacking Dre’s image, originality, past, and current status in the rap game.
Aside from the disrespect that served as the core of this project, Eazy-E truly flexed his musical muscles with every track. Whether the inspiration surged from his emotional reaction to what was going with his ex-bandmates or simply from him being a seasoned veteran of gangsta rap is uncertain. What can be seen and heard however is that Eazy-E ate his Wheaties before hopping on the microphone to lay down this EP. With this project, we hear Eazy more comfortable with his own flow and who knows exactly where his lane is and how to be the fastest in it. As his final completed work in life, it is a great depiction of his growth and maturity as an artist.
Commercially, the album was a success. Peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200 and claiming the #1 spot on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart, It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa sold 110,600 copies in it’s first week and was certified double platinum in 1994.
Method Man shared an immense amount of praise for Snoop Dogg during an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show, earlier this week. Speaking with Smith, the legendary rapper explained that Snoop has become bigger than just an artist and described him as a “franchise.”
“Snoop has transcended rapper. He has transcended artist,” he said. “Snoop is a franchise now. He should just be an ambassador for our music, period. Or hold classes on how to broaden your horizons, how to master different trades how to market yourself. Because Snoop is doing incredible things and we’re looking at more than 30 years, Stephen. 30 years and he doesn’t even have to drop music and that’s the beauty of it!”
Method Man & Snoop Dogg Pose Together At TBS’ Drop the Mic & The Joker’s Wild Premiere Party
HOLLYWOOD, CA – OCTOBER 11: Hosts Method Man (L) and Snoop Dogg at TBS’ Drop the Mic and The Joker’s Wild Premiere Party at Dream Hotel on October 11, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Shoot ID 26854_010 (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for TBS)
It’s far from the first time Method Man has shared his love for Snoop Dogg. During an interview with Drink Champs, last month, he remarked that Snoop is his dream collaboration, despite already working with the Death Row Records owner. “I already did something with these guys but I’m gonna use it again: Snoop and Dre,” he said on the show. “Every time I work with Dre, I feel like I need a do-over. The first time I was in the studio with him physically there, that chronic [hits] different. I spit a verse but it wasn’t up to par for me, so Dre was gracious enough not to put it out. The second shot I got is for the Dre and Snoop joint coming up. Woo! He got a lot of fire sh*t on there, man.”
Method Man Discusses Snoop Dogg’s Success
Check out Method Man’s full interview with Stephen A. Smith below. In other news, he made headlines, earlier this year, for his performance at Summer Jam after which he remarked on social media that the audience was “not our crowd.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Method Man on HotNewHipHop.
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, has unveiled new publishing agreements with hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg and his iconic label, Death Row Records. This significant deal encompasses domestic publishing for Snoop’s extensive catalog of hits as well as future works and the entire publishing catalog of Death Row Records.
Snoop Dogg, born Calvin Broadus Jr., first rose to fame in 1992 with his appearance on Dr. Dre’s debut single “Deep Cover,” followed by the release of his acclaimed debut album, Doggystyle, in 1993. The album, featuring classics like “What’s My Name?” and “Gin and Juice,” achieved 4x-Platinum certification the following year. Over his career, Snoop has released 19 solo albums, with his highly anticipated twentieth album, Missionary, in collaboration with Dr. Dre, currently in the works.
With 16 Grammy nominations and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Snoop Dogg has cemented his status as a music icon and pop culture phenomenon. His influence spans beyond music into acting and various successful business ventures. Recently, he has taken on new roles, including a coach on NBC’s The Voice for its 26th season.
On signing the deal, Snoop commented, “I’m so honored to have them as a partner and excited for all the great things to come with the catalogue as well as new music ventures. 2024 and beyond ”
Reservoir’s EVP, Global Creative Director Donna Caseine commented, “Legendary artists only need one name. Snoop is part of that echelon. From music, to brands, television, and film, his acumen represents excellence. For the last three decades he has been a pillar of hip-hop music and popular culture. He helped write Death Row Records into music’s history books. It is an honor to support Snoop’s vision as an artist and work with the Death Row family alongside Jaslin Levy, Sabriya Dublin, Sara Ramaker, and their entire team.”
Following the acquisition of Death Row Records in 2022, Snoop has also launched a publishing business under the label, now represented by Reservoir. This new agreement includes rights to significant tracks such as “Hail Mary” and “I Ain’t Mad At Cha” by 2Pac, further enriching Reservoir’s impressive catalog.
Reservoir Founder and Chief Executive Officer Golnar Khosrowshahi added, “Being in business with Snoop is an exciting opportunity to support his legendary catalog, leveraging his massive stardom to further embed his music across mainstream media.” She added, “This deal also marks a unique moment to help further the legacy of an important and valuable brand like Death Row. Snoop has come full circle with Death Row, showcasing his ongoing dedication to upholding its rich history – something Reservoir has proven as a core value and area of expertise across our business.”
Still, streamer Kai Cenat wanted to test the validity of these claims. In a video recorded backstage at the 2024 VMAs (viewable here), Kai challenged Snoop Dogg to see how quickly he could roll a blunt.
“Snoop, how fast can you roll up a blunt,” asked Kai.
Without hesitation, Snoop replied: “Before this song ends.”
The song in question was Shirley Murdock’s beloved 1985 single, “As We Lay.”
Although neither opted to begin an official timer, sure enough before the ballad could end Snoop completed the mission, all while featuring his Death Row Cannabis line. Back in 2019, Snoop Dogg revealed that he actually hired a full-time blunt roller. According to him, she’s already rolled about half a million marijuana cigarettes during her tenure.
But don’t get it twisted, with Snoop catching his first high in the 1970s and maintaining a habit of on average 81 blunts a day, he proved to Kai Cenat that he is never to be questioned again.
The unmistakable G-Funk sound of Southern California created a style that in the ’90s shaped Hip Hop culture in its own image. Since its conception by Dr. Dre with The Chronic, G-Funk has become one of Hip Hop’s most unique and distinguished sub-genre and has spread West Coast culture across the globe. On this day in Hip Hop history, we celebrate the birth of the self-proclaimed King of G-Funk Nate Dogg.
Known for his smooth, soulful vocals on the hooks of some of the ’90s most popular G-Funk cuts, Nate Dogg became one of the most recognizable voices of the genre. His music career began in 1990 when he and his cousin, Snoop Dogg, formed the group 213 along with fellow Long Beach rapper Warren G. After gaining clout in the newly exploding California rap scene; the group recorded their first demo at the iconic V.I.P. Record Store in Long Beach. The demo was passed along to Dr. Dre, giving Nate Dogg and the rest of 213 a break they needed.
Nate Dogg’s first placement was on Dr. Dre’s classic debut, The Chronic, singing the outro to “Deeez Nuuuts.” He would sign with Death Row Records following the praise and acclaim he received after the album’s release. With Death Row, Nate Dogg continued to sing hooks and harmonize over tracks for various artists on the label. in 1994, he and Warren G released their first hit single, “Regulate.”
Snoop Dogg became the owner of Death Row Records after acquiring the label in 2022. The label, which Dr. Dre, 2Pac, and Snoop himself called home in the early 1990s, was inactive for nearly twenty years. Former boss Suge Knight landed himself in legal troubles that ended with Knight and Death Row filing for bankruptcy in 2006. Now, with Snoop Dogg in charge, Death Row is once again trying to find a place in an ever-changing hip-hop and R&B space.
Snoop Dogg signed several artists, including Rhythm + Flow winner D Smoke and singer October London. London recently appeared on the Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge (NxWorries) track “FromHere” from their new album Why Lawd? The track also featured Snoop, who delivered a short outro. Snoop even signed Tha Dogg Pound, who released their first album on the label in nearly three decades. With a roster of up and comers and established veterans, Snoop added another veteran to the mix. R&B and gospel singer Charlie Bereal. Snoop took to Instagram to promote his new signee on Wednesday afternoon.
Snoop Dogg Signs Charlie Bereal To Death Row Records
Fans reacted in a generally positive way to Snoop Dogg’s latest signee. Bereal’s sound is similar to that of a 1970s R&B artist, which fans acknowledged. “We need this kind of music again,” said one user. “Sounds a lot like The Stylistics,” wrote another user. Others lamented the way that Death Row’s sound changed, moving from mainly hip-hop to a roster of mostly R&B acts. “What happened to the real sound of Death Row?” asked one user.
Charlie Bereal (pronounced Burell) was previously a member of the gospel group The Soul Seekers. He released his debut solo album Testimony in 2017 and followed it up with 11-11-11 in 2019. He is also a multi-instrumentalist, known primarily for his abilities on the guitar. In addition, Bereal is also a Grammy-nominated artist. He received the nod for his work on the BJ the Chicago Kid track “Bring It On Home To Me.” Hopefully, the move helps boost Bereal’s status as an artist and he benefits from being signed to Death Row in the long run. Bereal’s debut single on his new label, “Never Gonna Take Away My Love,” releases on Friday.
Long Beach legend, RBX, has finally released his comeback solo album, Hibernation Shivers, on all digital platforms alongside a limited edition vinyl release.
The new album, produced by Labcabin Records founders, Sccit & Siavash the Grouch, dropped everywhere June 28.
Hibernation Shivers is spearheaded by RBX’s highly anticipated response to DJ Clark Kent in the albums latest single titled “The Shivers” featuring fellow Long Beach emcee KXNG Crooked & up-and-coming Los Angeles emcee/producer Sccit.
RBX proclaimed, “when a bear come outa hibernation, the first thing he do is shiver.. then that bring on the heat.. and after the blood start flowin, now it’s time to eat. We had to shiver on some haters one time to let ‘em know we still here, ya dig?”
“The Shivers” single is just one of many joints on the album that contain appearances from hip-hop royalty. RBX recruited some of the very best from the golden era to usher in his Hibernation Shivers album. The long awaited Labcabin Records release contains additional appearances from MC Eiht, Spice 1, Ras Kass, Tha Dogg Pound, Krayzie Bone, Project Pat, Fatlip, Cold 187um, and Butch Cassidy to name a few.
“We aimin for nothin but classix … so when you press play, just let it ride out til the very end. That’s whats missin from the game,” said Sccit. Siavash added, “RBX is the hardest to ever do it. Nobody has a voice like he does. We always wanted to see a RBX album on Death Row Records .. that’s the sound we went for on this one.“
RBX most recently appeared on Tha Dogg Pound’s new single, “Who Da Hardest?” featuring the all-star Death Row Records cast and produced by DJ Premier. “A bit of an appetizer before delivering the full course meal,” insisted RBX.
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