Death Row Records

Suge Knight: Pac, Snoop Had “No Trouble” In Death Row

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Suge Knight is dropping some new information about Death Row Records. The hip-hop tycoon had a conversation with TMZ on Wednesday (April 19) while preparing for the upcoming series on BLK Prime that documents his life and professional journey. In the interview, Suge discussed the environment at Death Row. He acknowledges that it was as brutal as it was portrayed. However, he also mentions that both Pac and Snoop were accustomed to it. Still, it would be fair to say Snoop probably wouldn’t agree. In an interview, Snoop revealed how he felt about everything that went down at Death Row. “N*ggas broke my spirit. Thet broke me, man. They broke my spirit. Look, Doggystyle, workin’ on Doggfather, win my murder case, Dre leaves,” Snoop said. “Tupac get killed, Suge going to jail, Death Row want to kill me. That’s all in the same year.” Sounds like a pretty tumultuous relationship.

Death Row Records was a prominent record label founded in 1991 by Suge, Dr. Dre, and The D.O.C. It was known for their focus on West Coast hip-hop. Death Row signed some of the biggest names in the genre, including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur. The label gained a reputation for its aggressive and often controversial lyrics. Furthermore, many of its artists had a strong association with violence. Despite its success in the 1990s, the label faced financial and legal troubles, including the imprisonment of Suge Knight and the death of Tupac Shakur. In 2006, a bankruptcy trustee acquired Death Row Records. This effectively ended its run as a major player in the hip-hop industry. However, Snoop Dogg bought the label recently. It was a move that was praised by many.

Suge Says Death Row’s Toxic Environment Was “Like Sports”

Suge Knight had a lot to say about the work environment at Death Row Records in a new interview. “It is true that stuff was aggressive at Death Row,” he said. “But you had your choices. If you wanna be the best, and be a man and do how you wanna do it – do it. Be about your music, be about your lyrics. You know, everybody understood that. So when it came to ‘Pac, I think ‘Pac understood it more than anybody in the world.” Suge went on to say that Snoop understood how things worked as well. “But at the same time, you can’t take nothing from Snoop either because I knew I could get Snoop to come to New York with me and promote Death Row faster than anybody else would.”

Suge went on to describe specifically what the environment at Death Row was like, comparing it to sports. He said that he made sure it was very competitive. “…If you hear any of the albums I did, they was always competitive. It was competition. Because if a person didn’t have a good verse, somebody else had a better verse,” Suge explained. “Just like sports! We didn’t live in church. We not in heaven, you know? That’s like if you in the jungle, you gotta survive! I named my label Death Row Records.” What do you think about Suge’s explanation for Death Row’s environment? Let us know in the comments!

Keefe D: Eazy-E Offered Spot At Death Row Records Before Dre

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Keefe D has dropped some interesting facts about the early days of Death Row Records in a new interview with VladTV. In the early-to-mid 90s, it was practically impossible to ignore the label. It gave birth to some of the most legendary artists in the hip-hop genre. In the 30-plus years since its founding, Death Row has gone through plenty of ups and downs. After quite a bit of stagnation, it was recently acquired by Snoop Dogg, who released his debut album on the label. At this point in the game, you might think there is nothing left to learn about Death Row’s history. However, in his new interview, Keefe D proved that there’s probably a lot we still don’t know.

Duane Davis, AKA Keefe D, is a former prominent member of the South Side Compton Crips. He was a childhood friend of Eazy-E and was present for or involved with many of the events surrounding the founding of Death Row Records. Keefe was also allegedly connected to the murder of Tupac. In fact, he was behind the claims that Diddy placed a $1 million hit on the late Shakur. Whether or not there is any truth to that claim is still unclear. Still, Keefe seems to have plenty left to say about Death Row. This time, he’s opening up about the founding of the label and how Dr. Dre wasn’t actually the first choice.

Keefe D’s Involvement With Death Row

While speaking to VladTV, Keefe revealed that Death Row Records wanted Eazy-E to join before they approached Dr. Dre. He says that his friend was in prison with Death Row co-founder, Michael Harris. Through this friend, Harris asked Keefe to set up a call with Eazy. The late rapper was not too keen to do business with people behind bars, though. After the call, Eazy apparently showed up at Keefe’s house in person to talk. “Once the phone call went dead, Eazy showed up to my house 30 minutes later,” Keefe recalled, “He like, ‘Dude, them dudes in jail and I’m already established.”

The former gangster says that Harris called Dr. Dre the next day, and he accepted. The acquisition wasn’t quite so simple, as the NWA member was actually signed to Eazy-E’s label at the time. For many years, it’s been said that Suge Knight had to strongarm Eazy to get him to release Dre from his contract. According to Keefe, the truth is a lot less interesting. For the early contract termination, Eazy was allegedly paid $200,000. Once Dre was free of his contract, he joined Death Row, and the rest is history. What do you think Death Row would have been like if Eazy had said yes? Let us know in the comments!

Daz Dillinger Claimed He ‘Strong-Armed’ Suge Knight Over $2.5 Million While High On Shrooms

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Death Row Records founder and former CEO Suge Knight was notorious for some of his more outlandish business practices. The story of Suge having his bodyguards dangle Vanilla Ice over a balcony is legendary, but as it turns out, the rappers on the label were just as prone to outbursts of unusual behavior when it came to getting money.

Daz Dillinger, The Long Beach rapper who was signed to the label from 1992 to 2000, recounted the extreme lengths to which he went to get Knight to pay up on a debt on the Home Grown Radio podcast. After producing the song “Just Doggin’” by Tha Dogg Pound from the Sunset Park soundtrack in 1996, Daz said he hadn’t been paid and had to “strong-arm” his label’s CEO to get the money.

“We went up there to get that money and they was playing with the money,” recalled. “Suge walked into the office and the way his eyes were looking, he was gon’ do something to me.” Fortunately, he says, he had two things on his side: 1, he was armed with “one of those big, long Diesel screwdrivers,” and 2, he and bandmate Kurupt were high on shrooms, and thus, feeling fearless of the usually menacing Suge.

“So he put his arm around me and I put my arms around him, like this [and said] ‘I’m gonna stick you,’” Daz said. “He’s like, ‘Hold on, Daz. Let’s go in the office.’ And I walked out of there with $2.5 [million].” Daz said that the check also helped him get out of a traffic stop when he got out of a ticket for driving without a license and a misdemeanor for possession of marijuana (this was 1997, before weed was legalized in California). The check apparently convinced the officer that Daz was too important to make the bust for minor offenses worth the trouble.

You can watch the full interview above.

[WATCH] Daz Dillinger Says He Had To “Strongarm” Suge Knight To Get $2.3M Check

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West Coast producer and legendary Dogg Pound member Daz Dillinger spoke candidly during an interview for Homegrown Radio when Daz claimed that he once had to “strong arm” former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight for millions of dollars that he was owed for royalties.

At the 1:12:38 mark, Daz was asked what was the largest royalty check he’s ever received and he almost immediately replied, “like $2.3 [million], from Suge Knight.” He went on to say how he had to “strongarm” employees in the office including Knight, citing that he did all of this with a long screwdriver while high on mushrooms.

The post [WATCH] Daz Dillinger Says He Had To “Strongarm” Suge Knight To Get $2.3M Check appeared first on The Source.

Daz Dillinger Had To “Strongarm” Suge Knight For $2.3Mil Check

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From the moment he stepped into the Rap game, Suge Knight was an intimidating force. Although he’s currently incarcerated and will be for several years, Suge’s presence is still felt within the culture. During the hailed Golden Era of Hip Hop, Death Row’s head honcho was putting pressure on the industry. Artists and executives have more than enough Suge Knight stories than they’d like to remember, but Daz Dillinger is laughing at a tense moment with his former label head.

Daz was instrumental in helping make Death Row the iconic label that it is today. Not only was he an artist, but he worked on production for several of the label’s classic hits. The Long Beach native visited Home Grown Radio and was asked about the biggest check he’d ever received. He answered it was a $2.3 million payout. “I had to go in there and strongarm Suge and them to get the money,” Daz added. “I had everybody in they office. N*gga, hemmed up against the wall, we on mushrooms. We in the motherf*cker lit. N*gga in the corner, laughing.”

Daz Dillinger Didn’t Let Suge Off Of The Hook

He further shared that he thought he felt someone touching him and screamed. Daz also said he had a “long Diesel screwdriver” to protect himself. Then, “Suge walked in the office, and the way his eyes was looking, he was gon’ do somethin’ to me.” Still, Dillinger was unfazed and threatened to “stick him.” It changed the music boss’s tune.

Knight was known for his intimidating tactics, but Daz said he wanted to calm the situation during this instance. Suge ushered his artist into a private office to take care of business. “I walked outta there with [$2.5 million],” said the rapper. It was noted that when Daz returned to his vehicle, his crew erupted with emotions. “N*ggas in they feelings, crying a sh*t,” he said amid laughter. “We get stopped by the police on Wilshire Blvd. By Fairfax and Wilshire.” Los Angeles natives know that neighborhood.

Sage Advice From The Police

NEW YORK, NEW YORK–AUGUST 03: Kurupt (aka Ricardo Emmanuel Brown) and Daz (aka Daz Dillinger; Delmar Drew Arnaud) when the Death Row Records label assembles at The Source Awards, held at The Paramount Theater at Madison Square Garden, on August 3, 1995 in New York City. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives)

According to Daz, officers searched them enough to come across the check. They asked if it was real, and the rapper confirmed before receiving advice from the police officer. “Just stomp the weed out, cash that motherf*cker, go get your license,” the cop allegedly said. Thankfully, he was able to get out of both situations unscathed—and with a $2.5 million check in his pocket. Watch the clip of Daz revisiting the moment above.

Suge Knight Is Working On “BMF”-Like Biopic On Death Row: Report

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It looks like 50 Cent’s BMF inspired Suge Knight to tell his life story in the form of a biopic series on Death Row Records. Per TMZ, the Death Row founder is reportedly collaborating with his brother, Brian Brown, to develop a series based on the rise of the iconic West Coast label. Though there isn’t much information regarding the cast or the plot yet, the show is expected to begin filming this summer. Suge reportedly found inspiration in the tale of BMF, which recently concluded its second season. 

The upcoming series will dive into Suge Knight’s story, prior to becoming the music industry bully. The report states that the upcoming series explores the Death Row founder’s life. He became known as one of the leading and most imperative figures in the hip-hop industry throughout the 90s, though what we’ll see will provide a better sense of Knight’s rise. Not only will it explore the Death Row era but there will also be a large component focusing on his childhood and his aspirations to become a football coach. 

Suge Knight’s Death Row Biopic 

LAS VEGAS – FEBRUARY 17: Music producer Suge Knight attends the Belvedere Ultra Lounge Day 4 At Club OPM on February 17, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chad Buchanan/Getty Images for Moet USA)

Though he’s currently incarcerated for the 2015 death of Terry Carter, Suge reportedly has been incredibly involved in the process. As you could imagine, he isn’t willing to allow anyone to take on his role or those of others within his circle. TMZ reports that he’s been particular about the individual who plays the role of Tupac. Suge Knight reportedly hopes to find someone who could embody ‘Pac through their acting chops and not just their looks. Apparently, he’s been selective with the show’s personnel, specifically the actor who will ultimately take on the role of Tupac. 

The upcoming Suge Knight/Death Row biopic comes on the heels of Snoop Dogg’s re-release of the catalog. After acquiring the label ahead of the Super Bowl performance in Los Angeles, Snoop partnered with Larry Jackson’s company to redistribute their classic albums through streaming services. Though Snoop intended on bringing Death Row’s catalog to the Metaverse, he struck a deal that was well worth the return of their albums on DSPs. No word from Suge Knight on Snoop’s re-releases but people are clearly happy to have projects like Doggystyle and The Chronic in time for the summer. 

[Via]

Snoop Dogg Gifts Gillie Tha Kid & Wallo Death Row Records Chains

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Snoop Dogg just gifted Gillie Da Kid and Wallo two Death Row Records chains, and the former seemed quite excited about it. Moreover, he shared the occasion on social media, recording his jubilant reaction to getting the cosign. “I’m a part of the Row, baby!” he screamed while laughing with his crew. “Oh s**t! I did not know you sent us no f***ing Death Row pieces, man. I love you! I’m on Death Row, b***h! I ain’t even giving Lo his s**t, I’m doubling up. Two Death Row chains!” Furthermore, the two Million Dollaz Worth Of Game cohosts likely appreciate the gesture a lot.

Also, hopefully it makes them feel a bit better about the recent backlash they received on social media. Such criticism came after they had J. Prince on the podcast, who went on to instigate beef with Offset over Takeoff’s death.”This Offset dude,” the Rap-A-Lot Records mogul began, insinuating that ‘Set and Take fell out before. “I ain’t gon’ leave him out because I’m real like this, you now? N***as be throwin’ rocks and hidin’ their hand.

Snoop Dogg Gifts Wallo & Gillie Some Death Row Chains

“I don’t like them type of individuals,” he continued. “And the truth of the matter is, one can dance and different things in front of different cameras and all kinds of shit… In reality, the truth of the matter is you wasn’t really right there with Takeoff when he was alive, you know what I mean? So for you to be taking these positions that you’ve taken—and I’ve got people everywhere, so I hear all kinds of things—I’mma just say this to you. Don’t ever put me in no position where I have to defend myself. That wouldn’t be healthy for you. I have to say that.”

Despite that controversy, their show is still going strong, with their most recent guests being Jermaine Dupri and Curren$y as of writing this article. Also, given that Snoop’s appeared on the show often, it’s great to see that connection remain despite it being a while since his last appearance. Still, maybe this mega another conversation is due soon on the popular podcast. Regardless, stick around on HNHH for the latest on Snoop Dogg, Gillie Da Kid, and Wallo.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Death Row Records’ ‘Above The Rim’ Soundtrack Dropped 29 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip-Hop history, Death Row Records, in conglomeration with Interscope Records, released the soundtrack to the popular film, Above the Rim. Winning the 1995 Source Award for Soundtrack of the Year, this album featured so many hits that it could have stood alone from the movie as a compilation album.

Acting as executive producers of the project, Suge Knight and Dr. Dre curated one of the most popular movie soundtracks of all time. This album featured artists 2Pac, Warren G, SWV, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, The Lady of Rage, and more. Due to the popularity of the artists and the success of the movie, the soundtrack sold 2,000,000 copies in the year of its release and peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Although it fell short on the mainstream chart, the album was able to grab hold of that #1 spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. Here are some videos from the outstanding soundtrack to help jog your memory of its greatness.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Death Row Records’ ‘Above The Rim’ Soundtrack Dropped 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.