When Snoop Dogg acquired Death Row Records from MNRK Music Group, It was speculated that the deal won’t include any of the label’s original material. However, in a new interview with Elliot Wilson for TIDAL, the 50-year old rap legend revealed he owns the rights to Dr. Dre’s 1992 debut album “The Chronic,” and that he’s trying to get Pac’s catalog back on Death Row.
According to Snoop, Pac’s masters weren’t included in the deal because they reverted back to the late rapper’s family last year.
“As far as 2Pac’s masters, 2Pac’s masters came back to him last year,” he said. “But I got a great relationship with his estate, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to be able to work something out … to continue some Death Row 2Pac business now that Snoop Dogg is in control of Death Row,” Snoop said.
In addition to Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, Snoop also revealed he owns the masters for Doggystyle, Tha Doggfather, Murder Was the Case, Dogg Food and Above the Rim.
“I got all those records,” he adds.
This time around, Snoop wants to do things differently with the famed label and part of his plans includes moving the legendary label into the world of non-fungible tokens. He also wants to leave all that gang beef the label was notorious for, in the past
“I don’t want no rappers or no people that got issues, beefs, problems, misunderstandings,” he said. “Any of that street sh*t — you’ve got ties to neighborhoods that don’t like this neighborhood, you can’t get along and you can’t go here, you can’t … all of them can’t can’t be with me.”
Snoop finalized his acquisition of Death Row Records last month for an undisclosed fee. In a press statement announcing the purchase, The Doggfather said he was “thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand.”
“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.”
