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 Parksoundtrack 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.
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.
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.”
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.
The influence of BMFis already taking shape in the television landscape. Though it only recently completed its second season, the 50 Cent-EP’d series has apparently inspired more biopics based on the life and times of the most infamous figures in American pop culture. Last week, news broke that Suge Knight’s producing a biopic series based on his life, from his aspirations to become a football coach to his demise as the leader of the Death Row camp. DJ Drama feels that it would be an incredible story, though he feels a story on Dr. Dre would be even more compelling.
TMZ recently caught up with Drama shortly after the release of his new album, I’m Really Like That. The Philadelphia DJ explained that Suge Knight’s story would undoubtedly make for great television, especially in context with that era in hip-hop. “That universe, that time and that period, who wouldn’t wanna watch that? That shit would be incredible,” he said. From there, he began to campaign for a biopic on Dr. Dre that would explore his illustrious career from the pre-NWA days to bringing Eminem and 50 Cent into the fold.
DJ Drama Wants A Role In Dr. Dre’s Biopic
The Gangsta Grillz creator said that Dre’s career alone would be able to produce seasons upon seasons of content. “With all due respect, you know what would be even crazier? If we did a Dr. Dre universe, and we did from [World Class] Wreckin’ Crew to like N.W.A to the Death Row era, to then Aftermath, and then him working with Em and then with 50 came along. That’s like 10 seasons right there,” he told TMZ.
It seems like DJ Drama also hopes to make his acting debut in the hypothetical series. He called on 50 Cent to bring him onto the cast. “I need a role too, Fif! You’ve seen my acting skills,” he said, referring to the Juice reenactments to promote his latest album. “C’mon, Dram Cruise. C’mon, Fif! I’m manifesting, I’m putting it into the universe.” If anyone were to bring Dr. Dre’s story to television, we’d assume it would be 50 Cent. Check out Drama’s interview above.
Suge Knight is on the verge of having his own biopic series called Welcome To Death Row which will be based around Knight’s life. SOHH, here’s a list of events fans are curious about and dying to see portrayed in the show. While still serving his 28-year prison sentence, Death Row’s former CEO Suge Knight […]
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.
According to a report from TMZ, former Death Row Records CEO Marion “Suge” Knight and his brother Brian Brown are joining forces for. television project that is slated to begin shooting this summer.
It is being reported that the series will be similar to 50 Cent’s BMF series, with plot points about Suge’s early life before he began to terrorize the Hip Hop industry.
Knight is currently serving a 28-year sentence for taking Terry Carter’s life in 2015, but has been taking his time in handpicking the actors, especially when it comes to the role of Tupac Shakur, according to a source close to Suge. The source claims that Suge is looking for acting skills over resemblance for whoever plays Shakur, but contends that they must have his style and mannerisms.
Knight has yet to speak on the production detailing his life, but you can bet that when his team gets the green light, he will be “all up in the videos” this time around!
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.
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.
(@homegrownradio)
