Snoop Dogg has acquired legendary hip-hop label Death Row Records, according to press materials released via Business Wire. Snoop Dogg procured Death Row—which released his 1993 debut album Doggystyle—from MNRK Music Group. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.
Death Row was launched in the early 1990s by co-founders Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, Dick Griffey, and the D.O.C. In addition to boosting Snoop Dogg’s early career, the label went on to release countless albums by rap icons like 2Pac, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, and others. “I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value,” Snoop Dogg said of his new role as label head in a press release. He continued:
Chris Taylor, President and CEO of MNRK Music Group, added: “Snoop is clearly the executive to take Death Row into its next 30 years. MNRK has been honored to oversee this legendary brand over the last decade and enjoyed introducing it to millions of new fans in 2021 through our award-winning 30th anniversary marketing campaign.”
When Snoop Dogg left Death Row in 1998, he explained, “There’s nothing over there. Suge Knight is in jail, the president; Dr. Dre left and Tupac is dead. It’s telling me that I’m either going to be dead or in jail or I’m going to be nothing.” A feud with Suge Knight ensued, but he publicly squashed the beef at a 2005 event. He reflected on their reconciliation in the 2019 song “Let Bygones Be Bygones.”
On Sunday (February 13), Snoop Dogg will release his next studio album B.O.D.R. (Bacc on Death Row). He will also perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar.
