Death Row Records

{{main|Ruthless Records}}

In 1987, N.W.A's Dr. Dre signed to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records. As head of production at the label, Dr. Dre produced a large number of Ruthless projects, many of them successful; feeling the pressures of having to produce so many acts and feeling he was underpaid, Dr. Dre became frustrated with Ruthless.Ruthless (Heller/Reavill, 2007) {{ISBN|1-4169-1794-2}} After the departure of Ice Cube in 1989 over financial disagreements with Jerry Heller,Ice Cube: Attitude (McIver, 2002) {{ISBN|1-86074-428-1}} Suge Knight and the D.O.C. went over the books with a lawyer. Convinced that Jerry Heller and Eazy-E were dishonest, they approached Dr. Dre about forming a label with them, away from Heller and Eazy-E.{{cite web|url=http://www.murderdog.com/archives/doc/doc.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20060326170801/http://www.murderdog.com/archives/doc/doc.html|url-status=dead|title=Interview with DOC|date=March 26, 2006|archive-date=March 26, 2006|website=Archive.today|access-date=September 22, 2018}} Allegedly using strong-arm tactics, Suge Knight was able to procure contracts from Eazy-E for the D.O.C., Dr. Dre, Jewell, and Michel'le.{{cite news |url=http://www.dubcnn.com/interviews/eroticd-part1/ |title=Erotic D Interview- Part 1 (June 2008) |website=Dubcnn.com |access-date=August 7, 2013 |archive-date=August 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810115712/http://www.dubcnn.com/interviews/eroticd-part1/ |url-status=live }}

Dr. Dre and Suge Knight along with partners the D.O.C. and Dick Griffey began the process of starting a record label and music partnership in anticipation of Dr. Dre's departure from Ruthless. Although the name of their new music venture was originally called Future Shock, both the D.O.C and Suge Knight's business associate Michael "Harry-O" Harris have claimed to have suggested changing the name of the new label to 'Def Row' {{cite news |url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/dead-man-rapping-6398155 |title=Dead man rapping |last=Corcoran |first=Michael |date=January 25, 1996 |newspaper=Dallas Observer |access-date=October 26, 2017 |quote="I'm the one who told Dre to change the name to Death Row," Curry says. |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125923/http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/dead-man-rapping-6398155 |url-status=live }} (a play on Def Jam),{{cite web |url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/the-making-of-the-chronic-2407719 |title=The Making of The Chronic |last=Westhoff |first=Ben |date=November 19, 2012 |website=Laweekly.com |access-date=October 26, 2017 |quote=The name Death Row came from my partner, Unknown [DJ]. Initially it was supposed to be Def Row, as in Def Jam. D-E-F. And Dre bought the name Def Row and changed the name. |archive-date=October 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016071441/http://www.laweekly.com/music/the-making-of-the-chronic-2407719 |url-status=live }} but rights to the name were already owned by the Unknown DJ, who also happened to be one of Dre's former music associates in the 1980s. Unknown stated in an interview that he created the name "Def Row" for a potential deal to start another record label under Morgan Creek.{{cite podcast| url=https://soundcloud.com/wcp-i/interview-unknown-dj-west-1| title=Interview unknown dj west coast pioneers 11 2008 part two| website=Westcoastpioneers.com| publisher=SoundCloud| host=West Coast Pioneers| date=2008| time=40:00| access-date=November 15, 2017| archive-date=March 9, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309233337/https://soundcloud.com/wcp-i/interview-unknown-dj-west-1| url-status=live}} However he later sold the naming rights to Dr. Dre and his partners in July 1991 and by 1992 the name changed to its eventual title of Death Row Records.{{cite magazine |last=Morris |first=Chris |date=January 20, 1996 |title=Death Row Is Target of Suit By Former Partner, Rapper |page=94 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3g4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA94 |magazine=Billboard |location=New York |publisher=Billboard Music Group |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426183826/https://books.google.com/books?id=3g4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA94 |url-status=live }} Knight approached Michael "Harry-O" Harris, a businessman imprisoned on drug and attempted murder charges. Through David Kenner, an attorney handling Harris's appeal, Harry-O set up Godfather Entertainment, a parent company for the newly christened Death Row.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275066/|title=Welcome to Death Row (Video 2001)|date=September 25, 2001|website=IMDb.com|access-date=September 22, 2018|archive-date=June 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616200805/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275066/|url-status=live}}

Knight approached Vanilla Ice (Robert Van Winkle), using management connections with Mario "Chocolate" Johnson, claiming Johnson had produced and co-written the song "Ice Ice Baby", and had not received royalties for it.{{cite book|last1=Sullivan|first1=Randall|title=LAbyrinth: A Detective Investigates the Murders of 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G., the Implication of Death Row's Suge Knight, and the Origins of the Los Angeles Police Scandal|year=2003|publisher=Grove Press|isbn=0-8021-3971-X|page=56}} After consulting with Alex Roberts, Knight and two bodyguards arrived at The Palm in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, where Van Winkle was eating. After shoving Van Winkle's bodyguards aside, Knight sat down in front of Van Winkle, staring at him before asking "How you doin'?" Similar incidents were repeated on several occasions, including alleged attempts to lure Vanilla Ice into a van filled with Bloods and Crips, before Knight showed up at Vanilla Ice's hotel suite on the 15th floor of the Bel Age Hotel, accompanied by Johnson and a member of the Los Angeles Raiders. According to Vanilla Ice, Knight took him out on the balcony by himself, and implied he would throw Vanilla Ice off unless he signed the rights to the song over to Knight; Van Winkle's money helped fund Death Row. Death Row was initially located at the intersection of Westwood Blvd and Wilshire Blvd, later to be relocated to the intersection of Wilshire Blvd. and San Vicente Blvd.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/vanillaice/articles/story/5921192/to_the_extreme_and_back|title=To The Extreme and Back|access-date=November 14, 2008|last=Fischer|first=Blair R.|date=March 12, 1998|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509133342/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/vanillaice/articles/story/5921192/to_the_extreme_and_back|archive-date=May 9, 2006|url-status=dead}}

With the help of Kenner, Knight began signing young, inner-city California-based artists and arranged for Death Row Records to contribute to the soundtrack for the 1992 film, Deep Cover. The single, "Deep Cover", established Dr. Dre as a solo artist and a young Snoop Doggy Dogg as his protégé. Work soon began on The Chronic, Dr. Dre's debut solo album, which heavily featured Snoop and the rest of the label's core roster.

In 1992, Jimmy Iovine's Interscope Records negotiated a $10-million deal with Dr. Dre and Marion "Suge" Knight to finance and distribute Death Row. The meeting and negotiations were initiated by McClain, who met Dre when he was recording his The Chronic. Original plans had called for the album to be released through Sony, but Sony passed on The Chronic due to Death Row's controversial nature and Dr. Dre's contractual status. After hearing the album, Iovine agreed to release it, although doing so required a complicated distribution agreement with Priority Records, Dre's label as a member of N.W.A. The Chronic was released in December 1992.{{cite news|last1=Westhoff|first1=Ben|title=The Making of the Chronic|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/the-making-of-the-chronic-2407719|access-date=September 16, 2015|work=LA Weekly|date=November 19, 2012}}{{cite news|last1=Phillips|first1=Chuck|title=Rapper Dr. Dre to part ways with Death Row, start new record label|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/la-fi-dredeathrow22march2296-story.html|access-date=September 17, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 22, 1996}}The album, which was released on December 15 and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Top 200, went on to sell 5.7 million records worldwide,[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=The%20Chronic&artist=Dr.%20Dre&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2007&sort=Artist&perPage=25 Recording Industry Association of America] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017045232/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=The%20Chronic&artist=Dr.%20Dre&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2007&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |date=October 17, 2015 }}. RIAA. Retrieved on July 11, 2011. popularizing the distinctive style of G-Funk.Jon Pareles (November 14, 1999). [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E6DF103AF937A25752C1A96F958260 Music; Still Tough, Still Authentic. Still Relevant?]. The New York Times. Retrieved March 18, 2008. The Death Row roster consisted of Dre, Snoop, Daz, Kurupt, Nate Dogg, The Lady of Rage, The D.O.C., Jewell, RBX, Soopafly and many more.

After Snoop Dogg found solo success through his features on The Chronic, Dre began producing Snoop Dogg's debut album Doggystyle throughout 1993. Snoop's debut was released on November 23, 1993 due to public demand and high pressure from retailers. Though unfinished,Rollin' with Dre: The Unauthorized Account: An Insider's Tale of the Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of West Coast Hip Hop (Williams/Alexander, 2008) {{ISBN|0-345-49822-4}} it outperformed The Chronic at Quadruple Platinum,[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Doggystyle&artist=Snoop%20Dogg&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=Death%20Row&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 Recording Industry Association of America] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017192034/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Doggystyle&artist=Snoop%20Dogg&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=Death%20Row&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |date=October 17, 2015 }}. RIAA. Retrieved on July 11, 2011. and garnered similarly glowing reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/doggystyle-mw0000106179|title=Doggystyle - Snoop Dogg - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=September 22, 2018|archive-date=November 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107023434/https://www.allmusic.com/album/doggystyle-mw0000106179|url-status=live}} Soon after the release of the album, Snoop Dogg was charged with murder,{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} fueling the debate that politicians C. Delores Tucker and vice presidential candidate Dan Quayle sparked {{citation needed|date=June 2018}} by criticizing gangsta rap for being against American values, degrading to black women, and encouraging violence towards police officers. Throughout 1994, Death Row Records released the soundtracks Above the Rim and Murder Was the Case.

On November 22, 1994, at the offices of The Brotherhood Crusade in Los Angeles, Suge Knight and several artists from Death Row such as Tha Dogg Pound as well as DJ Quik distributed nearly 2,000 turkeys to the public.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA90|title=Good Works|publisher=Billboard|date=December 10, 1994|access-date=November 27, 2019|archive-date=April 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426183826/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA90|url-status=live}} Death Row also donated turkeys the following year as well.{{cite web|url=https://2paclegacy.net/tupac-death-row-records-members-at-the-brotherhood-crusade-headquarters/|title=1995-11-21 / Tupac & Death Row Records Members At The Brotherhood Crusade Headquarters|date=May 22, 2016|publisher=2PacLegacy|access-date=November 27, 2019|archive-date=November 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128064755/https://2paclegacy.net/tupac-death-row-records-members-at-the-brotherhood-crusade-headquarters/|url-status=live}}

On March 13, 1995, Death Row Records hosted a private party at the El Rey Theatre, where Kelly Jamerson, a Rolling 60's Crip,{{Cite web |title=Race & Policing - Live From Death Row {{!}} PBS - L.a.p.d. Blues {{!}} FRONTLINE {{!}} PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/lapd/race/deathrow.html |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.pbs.org |quote=In 1995 a Rolling 60s Crip, Kelly Jamerson, was stomped to death at a Death Row party}} was severely beaten by several Bloods, who were allegedly from Suge Knight's inner circle.{{Cite web |title=Interview: Former L.A.P.D. Detective Says He Knows Who Killed The Notorious B.I.G. |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/03/interview-former-lapd-detective-says-he-knows-who-killed-the-notorious-big |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=Complex |language=en |quote=A fight broke out between this Crip and some of the Bloods that were in Suge’s circle.}} As a result of his injuries, Jamerson died the next day at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

After an August visit to see 2Pac at Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York state, Suge traveled southward to New York City to join Death Row's entourage to the 2nd Annual Source Awards ceremony.{{cite web|last=Westhoff|first=Ben|date=September 12, 2016|title=How Tupac and Biggie went from friends to deadly rivals|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/tupac-biggie-friends-to-foes/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814121519/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/gqkqz3/tupac-biggie-friends-to-foes|archive-date=August 14, 2020|access-date=May 16, 2020|work=Vice.com}} Already reputed for strongarm tactics on the Los Angeles rap scene, after giving a brief comment of support for Shakur,{{cite web | first = Nadirah | last = Simmons | url = https://thesource.com/2016/08/03/today-in-1995-the-2nd-annual-source-awards-makes-hip-hop-history | title = Today in 1995: The 2nd Annual Source Awards makes hip hop history | work = The Source | date = August 3, 2016 | access-date = May 17, 2020 | archive-date = July 1, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200701034838/https://thesource.com/2016/08/03/today-in-1995-the-2nd-annual-source-awards-makes-hip-hop-history/ | url-status = live }} Suge used his brief stage time mainly to disparage Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, CEO of Bad Boy Records, the label then leading New York rap scene. Knight criticized Combs for his habit of ad-libbing on his artists' music as well as making numerous cameo appearances in his artists' music videos.{{cite book | first1 = Derrick | last1 = Parker | first2 = Matt | last2 = Diehl | title = Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of the Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay Investigations from the NYPD's First "Hip-Hop Cop" | location = New York | publisher = St. Martin's Griffin | year = 2007 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=aW1CdaYjwDgC&pg=PA113 | pages = 113–116 | isbn = 9781429907781 | access-date = May 20, 2020 | archive-date = September 15, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200915032409/https://books.google.com/books?id=aW1CdaYjwDgC&pg=PA113 | url-status = live }} Suge then invited artists seeking the spotlight for themselves to join Death Row.{{cite web | first = Erika | last = Ramirez | url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6363520/throwback-thursday-suge-knight-diddy-1995-source-awards | title = Throwback Thursday: Suge Knight Disses Diddy at 1995 Source Awards | work = Billboard.com | date = December 4, 2014 | access-date = May 17, 2020 | archive-date = May 2, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200502072146/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6363520/throwback-thursday-suge-knight-diddy-1995-source-awards | url-status = live }} Eventually, Puff recalled that to preempt severe retaliation from his Bad Boy crew, he had promptly confronted Suge, whose reply—that he had meant Jermaine Dupri, of So So Def Recordings, in Atlanta—was politic enough to deescalate the conflict.{{cite magazine | first = Peter A. | last = Barry | url = https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/11/diddy-claims-confronted-suge-source-awards/ | title = Diddy claims he confronted Suge Knight after infamous 1995 Source Awards speech | magazine = XXL Magazine | date = November 30, 2016 | access-date = May 17, 2020 | archive-date = January 26, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190126200037/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/11/diddy-claims-confronted-suge-source-awards/ | url-status = live }}

Still, among the fans, the previously diffuse rivalry between America's two mainstream rap scenes had instantly flared already. And while in New York, Suge visited Uptown Records, where Puff, under its founder Andre Harrell, had started in the music business through an internship.Sullivan 2003, [https://books.google.com/books?id=wq7SDwAAQBAJ&q=Newsweek noting Newsweek report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915033507/https://books.google.com/books?id=wq7SDwAAQBAJ&q=Newsweek |date=September 15, 2020 }} Apparently without paying Uptown, Suge obtained the releases of Puff's prime Uptown recruits Jodeci, its producer DeVante Swing, and Mary J. Blige, all then signing with Suge's management company.

On September 24, 1995, at Jermaine Dupri's birthday party at the Platinum House nightclub in Atlanta, Georgia, Bad Boy's entourage entered a heated dispute with Suge and Suge's friend Jai Hassan-Jamal "Big Jake" Robles, a Campanella Park Piru Bloods gang member and Death Row bodyguard.{{cite news|last=Egbert|first=Bill|date=February 27, 2001|title=Hip Hype & Rival Rap, by Bill Egbert|work=Daily News|location=New York|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2001/02/27/2001-02-27__hip_hype___rival_rap.html|url-status=dead|access-date=July 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704173248/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2001/02/27/2001-02-27__hip_hype___rival_rap.html|archive-date=July 4, 2010}} According to eyewitnesses, including a Fulton County sheriff working there as a nightclub bouncer, Puff had heatedly disputed with Suge inside the club. Several minutes later, outside the club, Puff's childhood friend and own bodyguard, Anthony "Wolf" Jones was involved in a heated altercation with others that ultimately led to Robles being fatally shot while entering a Limousine.{{cite news | first = Chuck | last = Philips | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-17-fi-13290-story.html | title = Possible link of 'Puffy' Combs to fatal shooting being probed | work = Los Angeles Times | date = January 17, 2001 | access-date = May 17, 2020 | archive-date = April 5, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200405012539/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-17-fi-13290-story.html | url-status = live }}{{cite news | first = Peter | last = Noel | url = https://www.villagevoice.com/2001/02/13/big-bad-wolf | title = Big bad Wolf | work = The Village Voice | date = February 13, 2001 | access-date = May 17, 2020 | archive-date = June 27, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200627233639/https://www.villagevoice.com/2001/02/13/big-bad-wolf/ | url-status = live }}

The attorneys of Puff and Jones both denied any involvement by their clients, while Puff's lawyer added that Puff had not even been with his bodyguard that night.{{cite web | first = Andrew | last = Dansby | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/report-infuriates-puffy-camp-61608 | title = Report infuriates Puffy camp | work = RollingStone.com | date = January 18, 2001 | publisher = Penske Business Media, LLC | access-date = May 17, 2020 | archive-date = June 27, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200627233641/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/report-infuriates-puffy-camp-61608/ | url-status = live }} Over 20 years later, the case remains officially unresolved, and Jones himself was fatally shot in Atlanta in November 2003 during an altercation with the Black Mafia Family.{{cite book|last=Shalhoup|first=Mara|title=BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family|year=2010|publisher=St. Martin's Press}} Yet immediately and persistently, Suge blamed Puff, cementing the enmity between the two bosses, whose two record labels dominated the rap genre's two mainstream centers.During the 1995 Source Awards, the rap genre's bicoastal paradigm was still so entrenched that when rap duo Outkast, from Atlanta, won as best new group, the audience booed, setting up Outkast member Andre's momentous response, ultimately, "The South got something to say" [N Simmons, [https://thesource.com/2016/08/03/today-in-1995-the-2nd-annual-source-awards-makes-hip-hop-history "Today in 1995: The 2nd Annual"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701034838/https://thesource.com/2016/08/03/today-in-1995-the-2nd-annual-source-awards-makes-hip-hop-history/ |date=July 1, 2020 }}, The Source, August 3, 2016].

In October 1995, Knight visited 2Pac in prison again and posted $1.4 million bond. 2Pac began work on his Death Row album, kicking off his tenure by insulting the Notorious B.I.G., Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Puff Daddy (the founder of Bad Boy Records), whom he accused of setting him up to be robbed and shot at Quad Studios on November 30, 1994, as well as Mobb Deep, Jay-Z, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Jimmy Henchman, the Fugees and Nas. Tha Dogg Pound's debut album, Dogg Food, continued the label's streak of commercial successes; its members – rappers Kurupt and Daz Dillinger – then joined Snoop in ridiculing New York rappers with their single "New York, New York", featuring Snoop Dogg. The video, set in New York City, New York, was also heightened when the set was fired upon in a drive-by. After the shooting, Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound filmed scenes kicking down a building in New York. The single provoked a response called '"L.A., L.A." by East Coast rappers Capone-N-Noreaga, Tragedy Khadafi, and Mobb Deep.

Another report was that Sam Sneed was beaten in one of the label's meetings by a group of Death Row affiliates, led by Suge Knight and 2Pac. According to Daz Dillinger, the reason this happened was that Sam Sneed had too many East Coast rappers in his "Lady Heroin" music video.{{cite web|url=http://rapresearcharchive.blogspot.com/2011/01/daz-speaks-on-sam-sneed-beatdowntumor.html|title=Rap Research Archive|website=Rapresearcharchive.blogspot.com|date=January 3, 2011|access-date=September 22, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921153155/http://rapresearcharchive.blogspot.com/2011/01/daz-speaks-on-sam-sneed-beatdowntumor.html|url-status=live}} Disillusioned with the direction of Death Row, artists RBX and the D.O.C. chose to leave, after which Suge Knight exercised tighter control over the rest of the roster. Dogg Food was not produced by Dr. Dre but was mixed by Dr. Dre, a further testament to Dre's dwindling involvement with Death Row. Dr. Dre also grew tired of Knight's violence within the label, although he contributed toward two tracks on 2Pac's All Eyez on Me. The rest of the tracks on the album, however, were mostly produced by Daz Dillinger and Johnny J, despite Dr. Dre being nominally titled as Executive Producer. 2Pac's behavior reportedly became erratic as he continued his verbal wars with the Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, Puff Daddy, Mobb Deep, and Prodigy, including many violent confrontations with many of those rappers at some points. On March 22, 1996, due to the infighting, Dr. Dre officially left Death Row Records to found Aftermath, which provoked 2Pac to turn against Dr. Dre.

Suge Knight's relationship with MC Hammer dates back to 1988. With the success of Hammer's 1994 album, The Funky Headhunter, Hammer signed with Death Row in 1995, along with his close friend, Tupac.{{cite web|url= http://www.daveyd.com/hammer.html|title= MC Hammer Interview - part 1|access-date= March 20, 2009|date= June 1997|publisher= daveyd.com|archive-date= November 15, 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081115125402/http://www.daveyd.com/hammer.html|url-status= live}} The label did not release the album of M.C. Hammer's music (titled Too Tight), although he did release versions of some tracks on his next album.{{cite web|url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429907/19990805/mc_hammer.jhtml|title = MC Hammer|publisher = MTV|access-date = August 25, 2012|archive-date = April 26, 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100426060450/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429907/19990805/mc_hammer.jhtml|url-status = dead}}{{cite web|url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429908/19990421/mc_hammer.jhtml|title = MC Hammer|publisher = MTV|access-date = August 25, 2012|archive-date = April 26, 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100426060446/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429908/19990421/mc_hammer.jhtml|url-status = dead}} However, Hammer did record tracks with Shakur and others, most notably the song "Too Late Playa" (along with Big Daddy Kane and Danny Boy).{{cite web |last=Burgess |first=Omar |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1320/title.death-row-records-the-pardon |title=Death Row Records: The Pardon | Rappers Talk Hip Hop Beef & Old School Hip Hop |publisher=HipHop DX |date=March 18, 2009 |access-date=May 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526170048/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1320/title.death-row-records-the-pardon |archive-date=May 26, 2011 |url-status=dead }} After the death of Tupac in 1996, MC Hammer left the label.{{cite web|url= http://www.daveyd.com/hammerpt2.html|title= MC Hammer Interview - part 2|access-date= March 20, 2009|date= June 1997|publisher= daveyd.com|archive-date= June 14, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090614084339/http://www.daveyd.com/hammerpt2.html|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2009/03/what_had_happened_was_mc_hammer/ |title=What had happened was MC Hammer |website=Vibe.com |date=March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106032958/http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2009/03/what_had_happened_was_mc_hammer |archive-date=January 6, 2010 }}

{{main|Murder of Tupac Shakur}}

Formerly a united front of artists, Death Row's roster fractured into separate camps. Daz, now head producer, worked on Snoop Dogg's second album Tha Doggfather, which featured Bad Azz and Techniec of the LBC Crew, Warren G and Nate Dogg of his group 213 and Tha Dogg Pound. 2Pac shut himself into the studio with Hurt-M-Badd and Big "D", crafting The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory - unlike All Eyez on Me, it was devoid of high-profile Death Row guest appearances, instead showcasing The Outlawz and Bad Azz, and had a much darker tone. Suge Knight was now barely reachable by his staff, and employees were assaulted as punishment for not following orders.

In New York City for the MTV Video Music Awards, 2Pac was interviewed on Death Row East, an East Coast subsidiary branch of Death Row.{{Cite web |last=C.H |title=Nas and Jungle discuss Tupac run-in and Death Row East |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2021-08-28/99738/nas-and-jungle-discuss-tupac-run-in-and-death-row-east |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=REVOLT}} It was also during this time that Alex Roberts and David Kenner had been seen at Suge Knight's Vegas Club 662, in discussion about the possibility of having Roberts' New York underworld connections help pave the way for Death Row East. The record label was supposed to be run by Eric B. and Big D with Craig Mack being the first artist signed to the label. On September 7, 1996, Suge Knight and 2Pac were caught on surveillance camera at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas attacking gang member Orlando Anderson, who was a member of the South Side Compton Crips street gang. Later that night, 2Pac was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in the front seat of Suge Knight's BMW 750iL waiting at a red traffic light at crossroads; en route to Knight's Las Vegas Club 662;{{cite news|last=Philips|first=Chuck|title=Who Killed Tupac Shakur?|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-06-fi-tupac6-story.html|access-date=July 15, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=September 6, 2002|archive-date=November 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109234606/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/sep/06/business/fi-tupac6|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Philips|first=Chuck|title=How Vegas police probe floundered in Tupac Shakur case|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-fi-tupac7sep07,0,6002100.story|access-date=October 8, 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=September 7, 2002|archive-date=March 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318222341/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-fi-tupac7sep07%2C0%2C6002100.story|url-status=live}} despite living six days in critical condition, 2Pac died on September 13, 1996. He was 25 years old.

2Pac's "The Don Killuminati: 7 Day Theory" was released in November 1996, just one week before Snoop Dogg's "Tha Doggfather", which both achieved Multi-Platinum sales. The following months, Death Row released Death Row Greatest Hits, Christmas on Death Row, Gridlock'd, and Gang Related. Nate Dogg's album, G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 was supposed to be released on January 14, 1997, but got shelved due to issues at Death Row Records, despite getting released independently as a double disc the following year.

On February 28, Suge Knight was convicted of probation violation and sentenced to nine years in prison,{{cite web|last1=Abrahamson|first1=Alan|last2=Philips|first2=Chuck|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-01-me-33733-story.html|title=Rap Mogul 'Suge' Knight Sent to Prison for 9 Years|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 1, 1997|access-date=November 27, 2019|archive-date=November 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128064700/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-01-me-33733-story.html|url-status=live}} causing Interscope to drop their distribution deal with the label.[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Interscope-Music-Group-Company-History.html Interscope Music Group – Company History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210184316/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Interscope-Music-Group-Company-History.html |date=February 10, 2009 }}. In 1996, Alex Roberts was arrested at his home in Malibu and released on a $1,000,000 bond pending further investigation under a grand jury indictment involving organized crime ties including money laundering, extortion and racketeering charges. Fighting his case for 4 1/2 years out on bail he was finally taken into custody November 19, 2001 in Los Angeles, California Superior Court and sentenced to state and federal charges amounting to five years of prison time. His refusal to cooperate with federal authorities also lead to any reduced sentence including his deportation to Europe even though he had been raised in the USA since birth, holding dual citizenship. Fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved on July 11, 2011.

Suge Knight's control over the label diminished, as Nate Dogg was able to leave, followed by Snoop Dogg and Kurupt. The Lady of Rage left after the release of her solo album Necessary Roughness to pursue an acting career, so did Michel'le with Hung Jury. Daz Dillinger departed in 1999 after the release of his debut album Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back, but produced for Big C-Style, and he later formed D.P.G. Recordz. During Knight's incarceration, Death Row released Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000 and Too Gangsta for Radio, which both received negative reviews. Both albums had the label's new signees, Tha Realest and YGD Tha Top Dogg, who were criticized for imitating the styles, looks, and vocals of 2Pac and Snoop Dogg. Also, Dead Man Walkin', a Snoop Dogg compilation of unreleased recordings, was released without his authorization.

Maintaining artistic control from behind bars, Suge Knight launched smear campaigns against his former artists, most notably Snoop Dogg, death threats were exchanged, and Snoop Dogg responded by publicly dissing Suge Knight, leaving the label, and later releasing a diss track named "Pimp Slapp'd", critically acclaimed by music magazine Complex.{{cite web|last=Archive-Joe-DAngelo|title=Suge Knight Hit With Legal Doggie Mama Drama|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1481088/suge-knight-hit-with-legal-doggie-mama-drama/|access-date=May 28, 2021|website=MTV News|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123172813/http://www.mtv.com/news/1481088/suge-knight-hit-with-legal-doggie-mama-drama/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|date=November 30, 2006|title=Snoop Talks Beef With Suge|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.4677/title.snoop-talks-beef-with-suge|access-date=May 28, 2021|website=HipHopDX|archive-date=June 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213819/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.4677/title.snoop-talks-beef-with-suge|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=The 50 Best Hip-Hop Diss Songs|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/10/the-50-best-hip-hop-diss-songs/|access-date=May 28, 2021|website=Complex|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413174958/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/10/the-50-best-hip-hop-diss-songs/|url-status=live}}{{citation|title=Snoop Dogg – Pimp Slapp'd|url=https://genius.com/Snoop-dogg-pimp-slappd-lyrics|access-date=May 28, 2021|archive-date=June 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603082237/https://genius.com/Snoop-dogg-pimp-slappd-lyrics|url-status=live}} The label supported itself with releases pulled from vaults—most successfully various posthumous 2Pac albums, along with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg re-releases. He signed new talent, including Crooked I, who had been lighting up the Californian underground with his rhyming ability, particularly the Wake Up Show with Sway & King Tech.

On August 6, 2001, Suge Knight was released from prison.{{cite web|author=Christina Saraceno|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/suge-knight-leaves-prison-244596/|title=Suge Knight Leaves Prison|publisher=Rolling Stone|date=August 8, 2001|access-date=November 27, 2019|archive-date=November 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128064703/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/suge-knight-leaves-prison-244596/|url-status=live}}[http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/1997/sep/06/the-death-of-tupac-shakur-one-year-later Scott, Cathy. Las Vegas Sun, "The death of Tupac Shakur one year later"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011145431/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/1997/sep/06/the-death-of-tupac-shakur-one-year-later/ |date=October 11, 2011 }}, September 6, 1997 Despite bad blood, Kurupt would again sign with Suge Knight in exchange for the position of Vice President, which sparked a feud between himself and Daz Dillinger and Snoop Dogg. He began work on Against tha Grain; his verbal feud with his former partners continued from 2002 to 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.streethop.com/interviews/126054-dpg-dogg-pound-reunited.html |title=DPG - Dogg Pound Reunited |author=Caesar |website=www.streethop.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628030805/http://www.streethop.com/interviews/126054-dpg-dogg-pound-reunited.html |archive-date=June 28, 2008}} The same year, Knight decided to enter the UK market with Death Row Records operating as an independent record label in conjunction with the Ritz Music Group,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/78134/death-row-heads-to-uk |title=Death Row Heads To U.K. |magazine=Billboard |date=October 11, 2001 |access-date=March 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125224245/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/78134/death-row-heads-to-uk |url-status=live }} a company known for its success with Irish country music artists such as Daniel O'Donnell{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/17215/daniel-odonnell/|title=Daniel O'Donnell | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website=Official Charts|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=October 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002172238/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/17215/daniel-odonnell/|url-status=live}} The joint-venture signed British R&B singer Mark Morrison{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/31440/mark-morrison/|title=MARK MORRISON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website=Official Charts|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917083134/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/31440/mark-morrison/|url-status=live}} to a five-year deal with Death Row Records UK, with a single called "Thank God It's Friday" and an album called Innocent Man scheduled for a 2002 release. However, the single did not chart in the UK and the album ended up being released by footballer Kevin Campbell's record label 2 Wikid, before being re-issued in 2006 by Mona Records.

Left Eye, member of the R&B girl group TLC signed with Death Row after finishing her solo deal with Arista who released her first album Supernova in 2001. At this time, Death Row changed into Tha Row Records. Lopes joined to record a second solo album under the pseudonym N.I.N.A. (New Identity Not Applicable), while also working on TLC's new album 3D. N.I.N.A. was canceled after her death in April 2002. The album was leaked online in 2011.

After promoting his new talent from prison, directing a campaign against his former artists and exacerbating the conflict between Daz Dillinger, Snoop Dogg and Kurupt,[http://www.ukmusic.com/forum/urban-music/suge-knight-interview-5019.html Suge Knight Interview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717003141/http://www.ukmusic.com/forum/urban-music/suge-knight-interview-5019.html |date=July 17, 2011 }}. Ukmusic.com. Retrieved on July 11, 2011. Suge had still yet to release any albums by his new artists. After Kurupt's second departure, Against tha Grain was released; soon after, citing dissatisfaction with serving five years on the label and seeing no release,[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000G1R344 Life After Death Row: Crooked-I, Russel Simmons, Master P, Loon, Bun-B, WC, Jay Cee: Movies & TV] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215050319/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000G1R344 |date=February 15, 2022 }}. Amazon.com. Retrieved on July 11, 2011. Rapper Crooked I left Death Row, eventually filing a gag order on Knight to prevent him from interfering with him finding a new deal.Walker, Verbal. (February 21, 2005) [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.3083 Crooked I's Restraining Order | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050221174103/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.3083 |date=February 21, 2005 }}. HipHop DX. Retrieved on July 11, 2011. Petey Pablo, who had signed in 2005 and started the never-released album Same Eyez on Me,Moss, Corey. (July 25, 2005) [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1506377/20050725/pablo_petey.jhtml Petey Pablo Eyez Tupac, Teams With Timbaland, Lil Jon – Music, Celebrity, Artist News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513204210/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1506377/20050725/pablo_petey.jhtml |date=May 13, 2008 }}. MTV. Retrieved on July 11, 2011. left along with rapper Tha Realest[http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2005/03/31/18129873.aspx Daily News – : Tha Realest Leaves Tha Row, Preparing Debut Album] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120701105527/http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2005/03/31/18129873.aspx |date=July 1, 2012 }}. Allhiphop.com (March 31, 2005). Retrieved on July 11, 2011. in 2006.

On April 4, 2006, both Death Row Records and Suge Knight simultaneously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection following the appointment of a Receiver to acquire and auction off assets of both Death Row Records and Suge Knight in the civil case filed by Lydia Harris. Among those listed as unsecured creditors to Death Row include the Harrises ($107 million), the Internal Revenue Service ($6.9 million), Koch Records ($3.4 million), Interscope Records ($2.5 million) and a number of artists previously signed to the label. Suge Knight eventually lost control of Death Row Records and his personal assets when Chapter 11 Trustees took over both cases.

On January 15, 2009, Death Row Records was successfully auctioned for $18 million to Ontario-based WIDEawake Entertainment Group that was founded in 2008 by Lara Lavi, with financing from New Solutions Financial Corporation.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/a-48-year-old-toronto-mother-goes-gangsta-how-death-row-records-came-to-canada/article1152497/|title=A 48-year-old Toronto mother goes gangsta: How Death Row Records came to Canada|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=January 24, 2009 |access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729044842/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/a-48-year-old-toronto-mother-goes-gangsta-how-death-row-records-came-to-canada/article1152497/|url-status=live |last1=Dixon |first1=Guy }} On January 25, 2009, a public auction was held for everything found in Death Row's office after it filed for bankruptcy. Of note was the Death Row electric chair which went for US$2,500.{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/death-row-auction-2290871-records-chair|title=Electric chair is hot item at Death Row auction|newspaper=The Orange County Register|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628021054/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/death-row-auction-2290871-records-chair|archive-date=June 28, 2009}} Lavi was removed from WIDEawake and Robert Thompson-So of New Solutions took over day-to-day operations. Lavi then sued her former company WIDEawake, along with New Solutions and Thompson-So in New York County Court on November 19, 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/deathrow-records-struggles-for-life/|title=Deathrow Records Struggles for Life|first=Karina|last=Brown|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-date=February 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222012829/https://www.courthousenews.com/deathrow-records-struggles-for-life/|url-status=live}}

WIDEawake issued previously unreleased material from such artists as Kurupt, Danny Boy, Crooked I, Sam Sneed, LBC Crew, Jewell and O.F.T.B. Dr. Dre's, The Chronic Re-Lit was released on September 1, 2009 and contained The Chronic remastered with seven unreleased songs featuring Snoop Dogg, CPO, Kurupt, Jewell, and a bonus DVD containing a Dr. Dre interview, a Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg mini movie, and television commercials for the original The Chronic.[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1619045/dr-dres-chronic-get-expanded-re-release.jhtml Dr. Dre's Chronic Get Expanded Re-Release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407142643/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1619045/dr-dres-chronic-get-expanded-re-release.jhtml |date=April 7, 2014 }}. MTV.com. Retrieved on August 19, 2009 The album also contained a scene from an unfinished feature film entitled, SAIGON, CA, which was to launch WIDEawake's film studio.{{Cite web |title=Dr. Dre's 'The Chronic' To Get Expanded Re-Release |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ki1d6g/dr-dres-the-chronic-to-get-expanded-re-release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729205315/https://www.mtv.com/news/ki1d6g/dr-dres-the-chronic-to-get-expanded-re-release |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=MTV |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Discogs Dr. Dre – The Chronic Re-Lit & From The Vault |website=Discogs |date=September 2009 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1948570-Dr-Dre-The-Chronic-Re-Lit-From-The-Vault}} Death Row The Lost Sessions Vol 1 by Snoop Dogg was released October 13, 2009 and contained 15 previously unreleased tracks, including some produced by Dr. Dre.[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/reviews/id.1281/title.snoop-dogg-death-row-the-lost-sessions-volume-1 Snoop Dogg – Death Row: The Lost Sessions Volume 1 | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420092734/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/reviews/id.1281/title.snoop-dogg-death-row-the-lost-sessions-volume-1|date=April 20, 2010}}. HipHop DX (October 13, 2009). Retrieved on July 11, 2011. Death Row: The Ultimate Collection was released on November 24 and was a special box set containing three audio CDs (one greatest hits disc and two discs of unreleased content), one DVD of music videos including the unreleased Dr. Dre music video "Puffin' On Blunts".[http://keepittrill.com/online/2009/10/death-row-records-release-box-set-including-work-tupac-snoop-dogg-dr-dre/ Death Row Records To Release Box Set Including Work From Tupac, Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103220458/http://keepittrill.com/online/2009/10/death-row-records-release-box-set-including-work-tupac-snoop-dogg-dr-dre/ |date=November 3, 2009 }}. Keepittrill.com. Retrieved on July 11, 2011.

On December 5, 2012, Jonathan Hay, a former Death Row publicist reported through HipHopDX that New Solutions Financial Corporation, the Canadian company that owned WIDEawake Death Row, had gone bankrupt and sold both the label and catalog to a publicly held company in a deal that would be closed on December 10.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22110/title.wideawake-death-row-records-reportedly-being-sold-in-wake-of-parent-companys-bankruptcy|title=WIDEawake Death Row Records Reportedly Being Sold In Wake Of Parent Company's Bankruptcy|date=December 5, 2012|work=HipHopDX|access-date=July 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415135916/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22110/title.wideawake-death-row-records-reportedly-being-sold-in-wake-of-parent-companys-bankruptcy|archive-date=April 15, 2015|url-status=dead}} In 2013, Entertainment One purchased the rights to the Death Row catalog. New Solutions Financial Corporation was eventually exposed as an alleged Ponzi scheme.{{cite web | url=https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/05/02/who-owns-death-row-records/ | title=Who Owns Death Row Records? You'll Recognize the Name | date=May 2, 2022 }}

On August 23, 2019, American toy company Hasbro announced a $4 billion purchase of eOne, making them the owners of Death Row Records.{{cite web|title=Death Row Records Is Now Owned by the Hasbro Toy Company|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/08/death-row-records-now-owned-by-hasbro/|access-date=August 24, 2019|website=complex.com|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824171007/https://www.complex.com/music/2019/08/death-row-records-now-owned-by-hasbro|url-status=live}} In April 2021, Hasbro and Entertainment One announced it would sell-off eOne Music to The Blackstone Group, which its acquisition was completed in June 2021.{{cite web|last=Ingham|first=Tim|date=April 26, 2021|title=BLACKSTONE IS BUYING EONE MUSIC FROM HASBRO IN $385M CASH DEAL|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/blackstone-to-acquire-eone-music-from-hasbro-in-385m-cash-deal/|website=Music Business Worldwide|access-date=August 17, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818184240/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/blackstone-to-acquire-eone-music-from-hasbro-in-385m-cash-deal/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|date=June 29, 2021|title=Hasbro Closes eOne Music Business Sale for $385M|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/hasbro-closes-eone-music-business-sale-for-385-million-1234975471/|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=February 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213085528/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/hasbro-closes-eone-music-business-sale-for-385-million-1234975471/|url-status=live}}

On February 9, 2022, ahead of the release of his next album and his appearance in the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, Snoop Dogg announced that he would acquire the rights to the Death Row Records trademarks from MNRK Music Group (the renamed eOne Music). The sale did not immediately include rights to the label's catalog, but it was reported that he was nearing a deal to acquire the catalogs of himself and other Death Row artists from MNRK. On February 11, 2022, Snoop Dogg released his third studio album on Death Row Records, marking a 26-year lapse from the label after Tha Doggfather album.{{cite web|last=Tapp|first=Tom|date=February 9, 2022|title=Snoop Dogg Buys Death Row Records Brand Just Days Before Super Bowl Halftime Showcase|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/snoop-dogg-buys-death-row-records-1234930094/|accessdate=February 10, 2022|website=Deadline|archive-date=February 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209235903/https://deadline.com/2022/02/snoop-dogg-buys-death-row-records-1234930094/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=February 9, 2022|title=Snoop Dogg Acquires Death Row Records|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/snoop-dogg-acquires-death-row-records/|access-date=February 10, 2022|website=Pitchfork|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210013632/https://pitchfork.com/news/snoop-dogg-acquires-death-row-records/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Aswad|first=Jem|date=February 9, 2022|title=Snoop Dogg Acquires Death Row Records|url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/snoop-dogg-acquires-death-row-records-1235176421/|access-date=February 10, 2022|website=Variety|archive-date=February 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209220243/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/snoop-dogg-acquires-death-row-records-1235176421/|url-status=live}}

Snoop Dogg's purchase of Death Row Records did not include the rights to Tupac or Dr. Dre's albums originally which those rights have been reverted back to Interscope Records. On March 4, 2022, in an interview with Tidal, Snoop Dogg stated he acquired the rights to all the albums previously released on Death Row Records, including his debut studio album Doggystyle and Dr. Dre's The Chronic. Despite the interview, Dr. Dre's lawyer, Howard King, denied the "false reports" two days later, stating that Dre still retained total control of The Chronic, which came back to streaming services on February 1, 2023.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/tupac-dr-dre-albums-death-row-records-sale-snoop-dogg|title = Snoop Dogg's Death Row Deal Won't Include 2Pac or Dr. Dre|magazine = Billboard|date = February 23, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Elliott |date=March 4, 2022 |title=Snoop Dogg: Boss Moves |url=https://tidal.com/magazine/article/snoop-dogg-conversation-22/1-83691 |access-date=March 5, 2022 |website=Tidal}}{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=2022-03-06 |title=Dr. Dre Stills Owns 'The Chronic' Despite 'False Reports' of Death Row Ownership |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dr-dre-the-chronic-death-row-false-reports-1317448/ |access-date=2022-03-07 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} On April 18, 2022, it was announced that Death Row Records would have its own streaming service, which pays higher royalties to its artists than main music streaming services.{{cite web|last=Caraan|first=Sophie|date=April 18, 2022|title=Snoop Dogg To Launch Death Row Records App With Streaming Platform|url=https://hypebeast.com/2022/4/snoop-dogg-plans-to-start-own-death-row-streaming-platform-app|accessdate=April 26, 2022|website=Deadline}}

In December 2022, Snoop Dogg sold a stake of Death Row's catalogue to former Apple Music's Global Creative Director Larry Jackson's music label Gamma.{{cite web|author=Hannah Karp|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/larry-jackson-gamma-launched-music-company-major-label-rival/|title=Apple Veteran Larry Jackson Launches Gamma, Bringing 'Unprecedented' Private Equity to Frontline Music Business|publisher=Billboard|date=March 8, 2023|access-date=March 10, 2023}} During the onset of 2023, Jane Handcocks's World of Women and October London's The Rebirth of Marvin were released. On February 12, 2023, Snoop Dogg announced that Death Row's catalogue would return to TikTok via association with music distribution company SoundOn.{{cite web|author=Angela Sanders|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-17/274238/snoop-dogg-brings-death-row-catalog-back-to-tiktok/?amp|title=Snoop Dogg brings Death Row catalog back to TikTok|publisher=Revolt TV|date=February 17, 2023|access-date=March 10, 2023}} Death Row's catalogue returned to all music streaming services on March 9, 2023.{{cite web|author=Marc Schneider|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/death-row-catalog-streaming-again-snoop-dogg-2pac/|title=Snoop Dogg Returns Death Row Catalog to Streaming Services|publisher=Billboard|date=March 10, 2023|access-date=March 10, 2023}}

Death Row Records has been referred to as "the most controversial record label in history", due to Suge Knight's practice of hiring gang members and the gang-related violence which plagued the record label.{{Cite book |last=R|first=Ronin |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/53123117 |title=Have gun, will travel : the spectacular rise and violent fall of Death Row Records |publisher=Quartet |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7043-8102-5 |location=London |oclc=53123117}} Knight, who was a member of the Mob Piru Bloods, hired gang members from his set, as well as other sets, including the Fruit Town Piru and Lueders Park Piru.{{Cite web |last=Philips |first=Chuck |date=2003-08-01 |title=As Associates Fall, Is 'Suge' Next? |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-aug-01-fi-suge1-story.html |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} There have been several murders committed by gang members affiliated with Death Row Records. Furthermore, many of the Bloods who worked for the record label would eventually be murdered.

In 1995, an aspiring rapper and member of the Bounty Hunter Bloods named William "Rat" Ratcliffe was pressuring Suge Knight to sign him to Death Row Records. After Ratcliffe confronted Knight with 10 other Bounty Hunter Bloods, Knight ordered Wardell "Poochie" Fouse, who was a fellow Mob Piru member, to kill Ratcliffe.{{Cite book |last=Kading |first=Greg |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/759515876 |title=Murder rap : the untold story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur murder investigations |date=2011 |publisher=One-Time Publishing |isbn=978-0-9839554-8-1 |edition=1st |location=United States |oclc=759515876}}

{{Main|Murder of the Notorious B.I.G.}}

After the murder of Tupac Shakur, Knight was incarcerated due to probation violations. Knight held Sean Combs, the CEO of Bad Boy Records, responsible for the death of Shakur and sought revenge. Through his then-girlfriend Theresa Swann, the incarcerated Knight contacted Wardell Fouse and hired him to kill The Notorious B.I.G.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Adam |date=2011-10-03 |title=Ex-Detective Says the LAPD Knows Who Killed Tupac and Biggie |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/10/ex-detective-says-lapd-knows-who-killed-tupac-and-biggie/337184/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}} Swann was given $25,000, of which $13,000 would go to Fouse.

During the initial investigation into Wallace's murder, Fouse was not a suspect, as detective Russell Poole's prime suspects were the LAPD officer David Mack and Mack's friend Amir Muhammed (Harry Billups).{{Cite book |last=Sullivan |first=Randall |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/51618088 |title=LAbyrinth : a detective investigates the murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the implication of Death Row Records' Suge Knight, and the origins of the Los Angeles Police scandal |publisher=Grove Press |year=2003 |isbn=0-8021-3971-X |edition=1st |location=New York |oclc=51618088}} After Poole resigned from the department in 1999, the case stalled. After the case was reopened in 2006, the lead detective, Greg Kading, concluded that Wardell Fouse was the shooter. As Fouse was murdered in 2003, no charges were pressed against him.

By the early 2000s, a rivalry had developed between the Mob Piru Bloods and the Fruit Town Piru Bloods, resulting in the deaths of several Mob Pirus associated with Death Row Records, including (but not limited to):

• Alton "Buntry" McDonald, who was shot dead on April 3, 2002, allegedly by George Williams, who also went by the nicknames "G" or "Ponytail".{{Cite web |title=Tupac Pal Shot To Death |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tupac-pal-shot-to-death/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=April 5, 2020 |language=en-US}}
• Henry "Hendog" Smith, who designed the logo for Death Row Records. Smith was shot dead on October 16, 2002.{{Cite web |title=Henry Lee Smith, 33 - The Homicide Report |url=https://homicide.latimes.com/post/henry-lee-smith/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=homicide.latimes.com |date=October 16, 2002 |language=en}} Smith was killed by a member of the Denver Lanes Bloods.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Chuck |date=September 15, 2003 |title=Knight Associate to Go on Trial |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-sep-15-me-roo15-story.html |access-date=June 21, 2024 |newspaper=LA Times}}
• Wardell "Poochie" Fouse, who was shot dead on July 24, 2003.{{Cite web |title=Wardell Fouse, 43 - The Homicide Report |url=https://homicide.latimes.com/post/wardell-fouse/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=homicide.latimes.com |date=July 24, 2003 |language=en}}

This feud started when George "G" Williams, who worked as a bodyguard for Suge Knight, was fired after he failed to return two Death Row Records cars which he borrowed.{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Lance |date=2005-07-29 |title=Knight ex-bodyguard convicted in PCP case |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-suge29jul29-story.html |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} After Williams was fired, he became a close associate of Rodrick Cardale "Lil Rod" Reed, a Fruit Town Piru member. The pair are alleged to be behind the murders of the Mob Piru Bloods from Death Row Records.{{Cite book |last1=Brennan |first1=Tim |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1128129589 |title=Once upon a time in Compton : From gangsta rap to gang wars ... The murders of Tupac & Biggie ... This is the story of two men at the center of it all |last2=Ladd |first2=Robert |date=2017 |isbn=978-1-9841-6386-8 |location=Houston, Texas |oclc=1128129589}}

{{main|Death Row Records discography}}

• Death Row Records artists

{{reflist|group=nb}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• Have Gun Will Travel: The Spectacular Rise and Violent Fall of Death Row Records, Ronin Ro, Doubleday, 1998, 384 pages, {{ISBN|0-385-49134-4}}
• Labyrinth: A Detective Investigates the Murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the Implications of Death Row Records' Suge by Randall Sullivan, Atlantic Monthly Press, April 2, 2002, 384 pages, {{ISBN|0-87113-838-7}}
• The Killing of Tupac Shakur, by Cathy Scott, Huntington Press, 2002 (2nd ed), 235 pages, {{ISBN|0-929712-20-X}}
• Welcome to Death Row, Director: S. Leigh Savidge & Jeff Scheftel, (Video) 2001

• [https://www.youtube.com/deathrowchannel YouTube channel]

{{Rampart Scandal}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:American companies established in 1991

Category:American companies disestablished in 2006

Category:American companies established in 2022

Category:American independent record labels

Category:Gangsta rap record labels

Category:Hip-hop record labels

Category:Record labels based in California

Category:Vanity record labels

Category:Record labels established in 1991

Category:Record labels disestablished in 2006

Category:1991 establishments in California

Category:2006 disestablishments in California

Category:2022 establishments in California

Category:Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles

Category:Dr. Dre

Category:Tupac Shakur

Category:MNRK Music Group

Category:Obscenity controversies in music

Category:Black-owned companies of the United States