Snoop Dogg now owns Death Row Records days before Super Bowl performance
Rap legend Snoop Dogg comes back to his roots. He bought the record label that launched his career. Snoop Dogg now officially owns Death Row records. He has acquired the label from a Blackstone company, MNRK Music Group.Just in time before his performance at the Super Bowl.
While Dr.Dre, Dick Griffey, D.O.C., and Suge Knight is the founder of Death Row in 1992, it was one of the strongest labels in the music industry during that era. Death Row held huge names like Dre, Tupac Shakur, and Snoop Dogg himself.
Snoop Dogg is one of the artists who started at the label. So it wasn’t surprising that he showed interest in taking over Death Row. Although he has signed with various record labels like Interscope, No Limit Records, Capitol, Def Jam, and Priority Records. A reliable source from Variety said that this transaction might steer the entrepreneur and rapper to also buy the music rights from Death Row.
Snoop Dogg has acquired Death Row Records 💿 pic.twitter.com/rSPUV71QcG
— Hot Freestyle (@HotFreestyle) February 9, 2022
However, the record label floated amid controversies, criminal activities, and lawsuits at that time. Its co-founder Knight was still behind bars as of now.
In 2006, Death Row Records filed for bankruptcy and was bought thru auction. WIDEawake Entertainment bought the record label for $18 million. It was passed over from different owners for years before finally landing at Blackstone and MNRK.
In an interview with GQ, Snoop has already expressed his interest to acquire Death Row Records. Back then, he was turned down to purchase the label which led him to his role with Def Jam. Eone Music owns the label at that point. Which then sold it to the Blackstone Group. Snoop said, “the man in me was hurt, but the businessman in me said. Okay, I have to find something else to do to take this energy of mine that I’m holding on to.”
Snoop Dogg’s Other Business Ventures
Snoop Dogg explained, “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.”
“I would like to personally thank the teams at Blackstone, MNRK, and especially David Kestnbaum. Who worked collaboratively with me over several months to make this exciting homecoming a reality.”
B.O.D.R.
18 new songs from Snoop Dogg ft. @djbattlecat @Hit_Boy @thegame @Nas @DaBabyDaBaby +more 👊🏿🔥🧨🎶🎤 pic.twitter.com/mzyNvNb0aO— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) February 8, 2022
Moreover, Blackstone’s senior managing director Kestnbaum released a statement hailing Snoop Dogg as a legend. “We at Blackstone are strong supporters of the artist and creator community in our entertainment investments. We’re excited to put the Death Row Records brand back in the hands of a legend like Snoop Dogg. We sit him success in the years ahead as the brand moves forward under his leadership and vision.”
Aside from the record label acquisition, the rapper will also be collaborating with Gala Games to release B.O.D.R. They plan to launch this on blockchain as an exclusive stash box of NFTs. Before they drop the launch on streaming services. When asked about music and blockchain combining, Snoop Dogg said he believes it to be the natural evolution of today’s industry.
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The rapper mentioned, “If anything is constant, it’s that the music industry will always be changing. Blockchain tech has the power to change everything again and tip the table in favor of the artists and the fans. And we’re going to be right at the front of the pack with this Gala Music deal.”
Snoop’s music stash box in NFT form was now available at Gala Game’s music store.
Kanye West, who also has his business plans in mind, expressed his support for his fellow rapper. He posted Currensy’s screenshot tweet saying “Snoop acquiring Death Row is a black future month. Ye also added the hashtag “#BlackFutureMonth.”
