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The N.W.A icon spoke about Snoop’s ownership of Death Row in a live Drink Champs interview alongside his longtime collaborator at ComplexCon this past weekend.
After co-host DJ EFN praised Tha Doggfather for his moves as Death Row’s current owner, Dre interjected to express his initial unease at Snoop taking the reins given the turmoil and chaos that plagued the company.
“Let me tell you something, man. I was so upset when I heard that Snoop was doing the Death Row shit at the beginning,” he admitted. “Like, ‘N-gga, that shit has so much bullshit following it.’”
However, The Doctor said he has since been won over by Snoop’s stewardship, adding: “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.”
Snoop, who was set next to Dre, was touched by the high praise and humbly replied: “That made me feel good. Thank y’all,” before joking: “Y’all tryna make a n-gga cry.”
Death Row Records was, of course, founded in 1991 by Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, The D.O.C. and music executive Dick Griffey.
Boasting an all-star roster that included Dre, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound, among others, Death Row quickly became a gangsta rap powerhouse and remains one of the most successful and influential rap labels of all time.
However, the company also had its fair share of drama and controversy, playing a pivotal role in the fatal East Coast vs. West Coast beef that claimed the lives of both ‘Pac and Biggie.
Dre parted ways with the label just five years after co-founding it due to creative differences with Suge, going on to establish Aftermath Entertainment — through which he launched the careers of Eminem and 50 Cent, to name just a few.
After years of dormancy and financial difficulties, Death Row was purchased by Snoop Dogg in February 2022 in an undisclosed deal.
“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,” he said in a statement at the time.
“It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members. This is an extremely meaningful moment for me.”
Snoop has since returned the label’s decorated catalog to streaming services, released music from former acts such as Tha Dogg Pound and Danny Boy, and signed a host of new artists including October London, D Smoke and Jane Handcock.
Snoop himself dropped his first Death Row album in more than two decades in 2022 with the aptly-titled Bacc On Death Row. His next project, an eagerly anticipated collaboration with Dr. Dre called Missionary, is set to arrive on December 13 via Death Row, Aftermath and Interscope.
The 15-track album will feature appearances from the likes of Eminem, 50 Cent, Method Man, Jelly Roll, Sting and Tom Petty.
Additional reporting by Andy Bustard.
