Suge Knight has a bone to pick with the new owners of Death Row Records. If you recall, Snoop announced the acquisition of the label in 2022 shortly after Trump pardoned Michael “Harry-O” Harris. However, it came to the surprise of Suge Knight, who believes that the acquisition moved forward on fraudulent grounds. During an interview with TMZ, Suge accused his former business partner, Harry-O, of committed bankruptcy fraud to acquire the label from him.
Firstly, Suge said that he doubted whether Snoop actually owns the label, explaining that the catalog will likely return to his possession. However, his major issue regarding the new ownership is Harry-O’s involvement. “They committed fraud, they bankruptcy fraud. I didn’t lose my company by doing anything wrong. They went in and the lawyer didn’t show up, and they got a default judgment,” he explained. Suge said that he previously settled the judgment, though he said the owners at the time said that he didn’t.
What’s Suge Knight’s Beef With Death Row?
Suge further explained that only recently did he find out that they went behind his back to acquire the label from MNRK Music Group. “But they committed bankruptcy fraud which we just found out for sure last week. When they filed for bankruptcy in ’95, they said it didn’t have anything to do with Death Row,” he added. Ultimately, he labeled the settlement as “illegal.” “You can’t take the person who committed the worst crime of the century, taking Death Row from Black people and try to give it to white people, and think he gonna grab Snoop and they gonna get it back. It doesn’t work like that.”
Though Suge might not have ownership of the label, that isn’t preventing him from sharing their story. The executive recently announced that he’s developing a new series based on his life story, which he described as on par with BMF. The show will explore Suge’s rise to becoming one of the most notorious figures in the music industry. We’ll keep you posted on any more updates on the series. Check out Suge Knight’s interview above.
Snoop Dogg says that he nearly signed with a different label before joining Dr. Dre, but they underappreciated him. The legendary rapper reflected on the situation during a recent interview on the Big Boy Off Air YouTube show.
“Y’all don’t know this story,” Snoop told Big Boy. “I was with Above The Law. Above The Law was about to give me a situation — but they had me waiting on the bench. I was behind Kokane; I was behind another girl named [Mz] Kilo, and I was waiting behind Above The Law’s next album that they were doing. But Laylaw and [Big] Hutch and the whole crew, Go Mack and the whole nine. They fucked with me and Warren G; Warren G was they n***a!”
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre during 1993 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
From there, Snoop continued: “So Warren G brought me to them, and they was like, ‘Okay, we gon’ fuck with him!’ But, ‘Sit down there and play that Madden while we work in the studio.’ And this was when we was comin’ from Long Beach to Inglewood, didn’t even know I was going through a Blood neighborhood on the Metro while Warren G was trying to make a career happen. [Dr.] Dre is about to leave Ruthless. It’s not [known yet], but he’s about to leave. I’m just trying to get on. So I’m in here with these n****s every day. Friday, they take me upstairs in the studio — one of the only times. And they play a dope-ass track for me, and they’re like, ‘This yours. Monday, we gon’ record this.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, shit. I finally get to…I’m on, n***a.’”
Nowadays, Snoop is the boss over at Death Row, having acquired ownership of the label from MNRK Music Group in February 2022. He released in 19th studio album, BODR, through the imprint shortly afterward. He also brought the label’s catalog back to streaming services, just last month. Check out a clip from Snoop Dogg’s interview with Big Boy below, as shared by HipHopDX.
Suge Knight, The D.O.C., Dr. Dre, and Dick Griffey founded the hip-hop record label, Death Row Records. The label became massively successful in the ’90s with the release of classic albums like Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle and The Doggfather, and two albums from the late Tupac Shakur’s discography. Reports estimate that Death Row was making about $100 million a year at the peak of its success. The label was instrumental in the commercial success of gangsta rap and its eventual recognition by mainstream media.
Cracks on the massive music empire began to show when the then CEO, Suge Knight, was sentenced to nine years in prison for probation violations. This was the beginning of Suge’s tumultuous relationship with law enforcement. He was arrested for alleged acts of violence and affiliations with gang members on more than one occasion. Suge’s troubles were compounded when Tupac, who had released his triple-platinum album, All Eyez on Me, was fatally shot and killed after an alleged retaliatory attack in Las Vegas. Suge was also in the vehicle during the shooting and sustained non-threatening injuries. Dr. Dre left the label shortly before Tupac’s death, and Snoop Dogg exited two years later.
Suge filed for bankruptcy in 2006, officially marking the end of the West Coast label. Death Row Records was auctioned in a bankruptcy court in 2008. WIDEawake Entertainment eventually bought the catalog. It would change hands a few times, and former artist, Snoop Dogg, purchased the label in 2022 with aspirations of reviving it. Artists who had been signed to the label include:
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur and Marion Suge Knight (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Late rapper Tupac joined Death Row Records in a three-album deal after Suge Knight posted his $1.4 million bond and secured his freedom. Suge also gave Pac’s mother $15,000 to help her with house payments when the rapper was in prison. Death Row released All Eyez on Me from the deal, hip hop’s second double album, (Master P’s Down South Hustlers – Bouncin & Swingin was the first). This technically meant that Pac had submitted two of the three albums he had committed to at Death Row.
The album was released in February 1996 and by April of that year, had been certified 5x platinum by the RIAA. The album was later certified diamond (10 million records sold) in 2014. All Eyez on Me won R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year at the 1997 Soul Train Music Awards and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist at the American Music Awards the same year.
In 1996, Tupac was shot and killed in Las Vegas. Reports have further suggested that the drive-by shooting was retaliatory and premeditated. He had, however, finished recording the recording of his third album at Death Row. The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, popularly shorted to Makaveli, was Pac’s first posthumous album and the last released with his creative input. The album was further certified 4x platinum in 1999 after its debut in August 1996.
There have been five other solo posthumous albums from the Tupac estate and one collaborative album with his rap group, Outlawz. Themes in Pac’s music primarily revolved around social injustices in African American communities. His discography has also influenced other hip-hop artists like Nas and T.I. Pac has sold 75 million records worldwide.
Dr. Dre
Dr. (Photo by Lester Cohen) Dre poses in studio for Helter Skelter circa 1996. (Photo by Lester Cohen)
Andre “Dr. Dre” Young has continuously been touted as the most significant hip-hop producer ever. Many people forget that he is also a rapper. Dr. Dre left Ruthless Records with The D.O.C. and joined Suge Knight to establish Death Row Records. He released the cultural juggernaut album, The Chronic, in 1992. The project gave us classic singles like “Fuck Wit Dre Day,” “Let Me Ride,” and “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang.”
The Chronicpeaked at number three on the Billboard album chart. It also went on to receive a 3x platinum certification from the RIAA. Dr. Dre had left Death Row Records just before the murder of Tupac and went on to establish Aftermath Records. All his solo pursuits have been released under Aftermath ever since. The doctor has three solo albums, two soundtrack albums, and six collaborative albums—two with World Class Wreckin’ Cru and four with N.W.A.
Daz Dillinger
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)
Daz Dillinger, or Daz, is a rapper and producer who signed with Death Row Records at 19. He is one half of the rap group, The Dogg Pound, together with label-mate Kurupt. Daz made production contributions to The Chronic and was featured in Doggystyle. The Dogg Pound would later release their debut, Dog Food, which received positive reviews and achieved platinum status.
Tupac’s murder led to the exodus of most artists from Death Row. The label released Daz’s debut solo album, Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back, years after he left the label. Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 8 on the 200 Albums chart. Dillinger has gone on to carve out a successful rapper/producer career. He released the A.T.L.A. project with Big Gripp in 2020. Daz also has a Grammy nomination with Kurupt for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for the song “What Would You Do.”
Kurupt
NEW YORK, NEW YORK–AUGUST 03: Snoop Dogg, Kurupt (aka Ricardo Emmanuel Brown) and Dr. Dre (aka Andre Romelle Young) appear backstage 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)
Kurupt, real name Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, would begin a third stint at Death Row Records after it was purchased by longtime friend Snoop Dogg in 2022. Kurupt first joined the label in 1992 when he was 19 years old. He left the label after the murder of Tupac, like many others. He released the Dog Food album as a part of the rap group, The Dogg Pound, with Daz Dillinger. This was under his first commitment with Death Row. Kurupt returned to the label in 2002, briefly becoming the vice president. He would release his oft-delayed Against The Grain album and leave the label again in 2005. Kurupt re-signed with Death Row Records in 2022 as part of Snoop’s plan to revamp the label.
The D.O.C.
ST. LOUIS- DECEMBER 1991: Rapper The D.O.C. (Tracy Lynn Curry) poses for photos backstage at The Arena in St. Louis, Missouri in December 1991. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
The D.O.C., born Tracy Lynn Curry, was regarded as the “master of the pen” during the rise and reign of gangsta rap in the ’90s. He was initially at Ruthless Records before departing to join the newly formed Death Row with Dr. Dre. The D.O.C. is credited to have co-written Eazy E’s classic album Eazy-Duz-It and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic. His debut album, No One Can Do It Better, was released in 1989. The album was a critical and commercial success. It spawned two number-one records and went on to achieve platinum status in 1994.
The D.O.C. was also involved in a serious car crash just months after the release of his debut. He has confessed in interviews that he was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana. The accident left him with serious facial injuries that required plastic surgery. It also permanently changed his voice. He continued to work at Death Row Records as a ghostwriter contributing to Dr. Dre’s and Snoop Dogg’s albums. He would later leave Death Row after a short feud over payments with Dr. Dre. The D.O.C. founded his own label, Silverback Records, in 1997.
The Lady of Rage
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 27: Rapper The Lady of Rage performs onstage during the Ice Cube, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock concert during 2015 BET Experience at Staples Center on June 27, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/FilmMagic)
Robin Yvette Allen, The Lady of Rage, is known for her feature contributions in Snopp Dogg’s Doggystyle and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic albums. Dr. Dre is credited for discovering the talented MC after hearing the vocals she recorded for the L.A. Posse’s album, They Come in All Colors, released in 1991. She released her solo debut, Necessary Roughness, in 1997 after several pushbacks. The record served as her only album on the label. Necessary Roughness peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard R&B Album chart and 32 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. She would sign with Boss Lady Entertainment in 2007.
Sam Sneed
NEW YORK, NEW YORK–AUGUST 03: K-Solo (aka Kevin Madison), Sam Sneed (aka Sam Anderson) and Daz (aka Delmar Drew Arnaud) appear backstage 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).
Sam signed with Death Row Records in 1993, releasing one single, Dr. Dre assisted “U Better Recognize.” He is also a producer. Sam co-produced the singles “Keep Their Heads Ringin” and “Natural Born Killaz” with Dr. Dre. Sneed’s brain tumor diagnosis in 1999 effectively halted his career. He, however, recovered and has had production credits on songs for G-Unit, Jay-Z, and Scarface.
Snoop Dogg
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: Snoop Dogg performs at The O2 Arena on March 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Simone Joyner/Getty Images)
Snoop, or Uncle Snoop, as he is also known these days, is officially the new owner of Death Row Records. Snoop’s history with the label started in 1992. He appeared on The Chronic and his performance fueled the anticipation for his debut, Doggystyle, which was released in 1993. The album shot up the charts to occupy the No. 1 spot with over 800,000 copies sold in the first week. The debut project has also been certified 11x platinum by the RIAA for 11 million copies sold worldwide.
Snoop first left Death Row Records amidst the murder of friend and label-mate Tupac, and the alleged involvement of the then CEO, Suge Knight. The “Drop It Like Its Hot” rapper has repeatedly criticized Suge for the untimely death of Tupac. Snoop now has ownership and executive control of the label after purchasing it from MNRK Music Group.
Tupac’s attempt to switch up the Death Row dress code from khakis to designer failed, according to Kurupt. The Long Beach rapper recently appeared on The Art Of Dialogue where he detailed ‘Pac’s militant mentality when he joined the Death Row Records roster. “Tupac is strength,” Kurupt said as he described the late rapper’s “strong-minded” mob boss outlook. He explained that the “All Eyez On Me” rapper’s alignment with the Suge Knight-led label wasn’t solely for his own benefit but his attempt to shift the label’s culture at large. “He wanted to change the image of Death Row, he wanted to add to everybody else’s table,” Kurupt recalled.
Though Tupac’s work ethic undoubtedly influenced the prolificacy of the Death Row roster, Kurupt explained that his influence was much deeper than that. “He wanted to change our apparel and how we looked, which, you know, that didn’t work,” Kurupt explained. “Because that’s you, ‘Pac, that’s y’all shit over here. We in khakis, cuz, you know what I’m saying? ‘Pac loved it, he respected it,” Kurupt added, though not everyone was on board (with the exception of Snoop Dogg) with the stylistic shift Tupac strived towards.
Tupac Dress Code Met With Resistance, Kurupt Says
Though Death Row became synonymous with West Coast culture, it specifically embodied the gangbanging aspect that’s specific to cities like Los Angeles. Kurupt and other signees from the label, including Snoop Dogg, continued to wear Chuck Taylor’s and Khakis. However, Tupac began to ascend in the world of haute couture, developing a strong relationship with designer brands like Versace.
“It’s a fly-ass dress code, cuz,” Kurupt recalled of Tupac’s attempt to switch out the khakis for high-end brands. “I could understand it if he was like, ‘N***a, put on the army fatigues.’ This n***a talking about, ‘Put on some Versace, n***a! Get fly!’ … That shit didn’t work with us, cuz. We agreed with everything besides the gear. That’s not our shit.” Though Death Row didn’t get down with all of Tupac’s ideas, Kurupt evidently understands just how big his vision was prior to his untimely passing. Check out Kurupt’s comments about Tupac above and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
One of hip-hop’s most fascinating and successful labels is tragically one of its most dangerous in the genre’s history. Kurupt recently revealed that he left Death Row Records because Tupac Shakur died under Suge Knight’s watch. Moreover, he made such statements during an interview with The Art Of Dialogue and spoke candidly of his experience. Furthermore, he said that when he requested to terminate his contract, he felt how worn-down Death Row artists were due to the similarities between the label and street life. After years of apparent invincibility, it became to much to bear for the “C-Walk” rapper.
“Everywhere we was going we had to keep our eyes open, 10 toes on the ground,” the Philly-born artist expressed. “We had to stay heated and make sure that we protected ourselves. And then to go to Death Row and feel the same way as when we in the streets: we all kinda got burnt on that.” Moreover, he also spoke on how Dr. Dre leaving the collective gave him a lead to follow. His group mates Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger, and Soopafly were still signed to the label after Dre left, and Suge’s presence could no longer assure their safety.
Kurupt Speaks On How Tupac’s Death Under Suge Knight Affected Him
“We all was a little tired of walking on egg shells,” he continued. “Because if we gon be here and it feels the same was as being on the streets, then whats the difference? If a n***a gotta come to the studio heated, what’s the difference? Dr. Dre set up the woo-wop, like, ‘It can be done, you can leave.’ When I saw Dr. Dre do that, then 2Pac died, that was the final straw for me. N***as is getting shot even with Suge. Now that is it.
“Crippin’ and Bloodin’ is real!” he concluded. “This ain’t no joke. This s**t ain’t to play with, this ain’t something you just kick around. Once you in, you in for life; you gotta ride it out homie. And 2Pac is militant! He’s not a gang member. He’s from a Black Panther background, a whole ‘nother background. It’s just not healthy for him. A lot of us gangbang ’cause we wanted to; and a lot of us gangbang ’cause we had to. We lived there; we had to protect our community, you know.” Regardless, let us know your take in the comments and come back to HNHH for the latest on Kurupt, Tupac, Suge Knight, and Death Row.
Kxng Crooked has responded to Snoop Dog’s tweet promoting the Death Row catalog on Apple Music. The California-based rapper is a former member of Slaughterhouse. He implies that he is still owed some series cash for one of the albums in the lineup. While fans are celebrating the release, some people are not so happy to hear the news. Kxng Crooked took to Twitter to respond to Snoop Dog, stating “I see the DysFunktional Family soundtrack I’m owed six figures for hmm.” This response immediately sparked controversy, as fans of both sides are wondering what the rapper is trying to say.
While Kxng Crooked is responding to some of his fan’s comments. But he is leaving the majority of his fans in the dark. The Dysfunktional Family soundtrack was released all the way back in 2003. Snoop’s announcement regarding the streaming on Apple Music is being met with enthusiasm from fans. However, the fact that Kxng Crooked is bringing this up now implies there is some unfinished business regarding the album. Several hours after his initial tweet responding to Snoop Dog, Kxng posts a vague update. In his follow-up tweet, he simply says, “Good Friday to you! What are you listening to?”
Kxng Crooked States That He Is Owed Money
I see the DysFunktional Family soundtrack I’m owed six figures for hmmm https://t.co/Cw9NjxQr5E
In the wake of this Twitter response, fans are eager to hear the dirty details of why the rapper feels like he has been stiffed. Some fans commented that they are willing to listen to the story he has to tell. Other fans are expressing some disbelief. They feel that Kxng is trying to garner media attention with his claim. Currently, Snoop Dog has not responded to his accusations publicly. Although Snoop is still posting on Twitter, he is carefully avoiding the mention of Kxng Crooked.
Snoop Dog is one of the most prominent figures in the hip-hop industry. While Snoop Dog himself may not have anything to do with the situation, some fans feel like he should still address the claims to support Kxng. The hip-hop industry is cutthroat. Due to this, there are always bound to be tensions that arise. This is especially true when money is at hand.
Snoop Dogg just struck a deal with former Apple executive Larry Jackson to release two new solo albums and distribute Death Row’s iconic catalog. Moreover, Jackson was Apple Music’s Global Creative Director, who’s gotten mentions from Kanye West, Drake, and many more. Recently, he started a new music company called gamma and partnered with a few other big names. In fact, gamma was behind the catalog’s availability on TikTok, following some removals from streaming services after years of shoddy artist payouts. Furthermore, Death Row’s discography contains classics like Snoop’s own Doggystyle, Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, and Tupac’s AllEyez On Me.
To elaborate, gamma also has backing from A24, Todd Boehly’s Eldridge, and Apple themselves. Also, they reportedly have $1 billion in capital. Billboard described the company as “a one-stop-shop media company that creates, distributes, and markets content, from music to podcasts to films, offering resources and guidance to artists who want to build their brands and expand beyond music.” After the Long Beach MC’s ownership of Death Row, this is certainly an unclear but exciting step nonetheless. In addition, Billboard reported that the longtime partnership will revert rights back to the rapper after they “work together to enrich the value of the IP.”
Snoop Dogg’s New Deal: New Albums, Death Row Distribution, And More
Other artists that jumped onto Jackson’s new venture include Usher and Rick Ross. Furthermore, gamma aims to rival TikTok as a hub for music discovery and to create generational wealth and uplift culture for Black artists, making sure they can retain rights to their work. “It made sense for two Black men to come together to change the face of the industry,” Snoop expressed to Bloomberg concerning the team-up. “I didn’t want to partner with a regular company because they respect me and fear me so much, they wouldn’t wanna give me ideas.”
Perhaps one of these new Snoop albums will be Missionary, his previously announced collab with Dr. Dre. However, more exciting and potentially earth-shaking news surrounded the launch of gamma. Reportedly, Larry Jackson also reached out to Frank Ocean about his new company, according to Bloomberg. However, he didn’t say they were working on a specific project, so it’s just another dash of hope for one of the industry’s most elusive yet sought-after voices. Regardless, stick around on HNHH for the latest news and updates on Snoop Dogg and this new deal.
Just before the Super Bowl in 2022, Snoop Dogg revealed some major news – he acquired Death Row. The Long Beach rapper ushered in a new era for the iconic rap label with hopes to bring it into the digital space. He expressed interest in creating a label in the Metaverse. Throughout the past year, his efforts in the NFT space have been well-documented. However, the rapper also made a few decisions in recent times that have ruffled feathers. He previously removed the catalog from DSPs and left fans without projects like Dogg Pound’s Dogg Food.
In response to removing the catalog, Snoop Dogg explained that he wanted to create his own streaming platform. “First thing I did was snatch all the music off those platforms traditionally known to people because those platforms don’t pay,” Snoop explained on Drink Champs. “And those platforms get millions and millions of streams, and nobody gets paid other than the record labels.” Fortunately, the move became a temporary one and fans will soon have access to their favorite projects from Death Row.
Snoop Dogg & TikTok’s SoundOn Partner For The Return Of Death Row’s Catalog
Per TMZ, Snoop Dogg teamed up with TikTok’s music arm, SoundOn, to bring the Death Row catalog back online. His initial plans to launch his own streaming service aren’t in motion anymore. However, fans will be able to listen to the Death Row catalog on TikTok. Snoop and TikTok teamed up to create a custom Death Row playlist, which will be available prior to beloved albums — like Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle and 2Pac’sAll Eyez On Me – returning to DSPs.
Snoop explained that people ask him daily when the catalog will head to streaming services again, which prompted his recent move with TikTok. “As the Super Bowl rolled around, I knew fans would be looking for the music from our iconic performance in 2022, so I wanted to reintroduce the most historic catalog to the people. I reached out to the folks at TikTok to make more history … enjoy ya’ll,” he said. Are you excited about the return of the Death Row catalog? Let us know in the comment section below.
