In 1993, Snoop Dogg introduced himself to the world with debut album Doggystyle, the second LP released through Death Row Records. Now, in a full-circle moment, the Doggfather has become the owner of the storied hip-hop brand.
Today, it was announced that Snoop acquired the Death Row Records brand from MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music), which is controlled by private equity corporation Blackstone. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1992 by Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, the D.O.C. and Dick Griffey, Death Row Records was foundational in the establishment of West coast hip-hop. Along with Doggystyle, the label found multi-platinum success with titles including Dre's 1992 solo debut The Chronic, Tha Dogg Pound's 1995 debut Dogg Food, and 2Pac's 1996 double-album All Eyez On Me.
In the wake of 2Pac's death, Knight's imprisonment, and the departures of artists including Dre, Snoop, Nate Dogg and Kurupt, Death Row's influence began to wane. Mired in legal and personal issues, both Knight and the label would file for for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2006. In 2009, Death Row came under Canadian ownership following its auction to Toronto-based WIDEawake Entertainment Group.
The Death Row Records catalogue changed hands again in 2013, upon its sale to eOne. In 2019, the entertainment company was purchased by Hasbro for for $4 billion USD, ahead of the toymaker flipping eOne's music division, now named MNRK Music Group, to Blackstone for $385 million in 2021.
"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 in a statement. "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. I'm looking forward to building the next chapter of Death Row Records."
Chris Taylor, president and CEO of MNRK Music Group, added in a respective statement, "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."
This weekend (February 13), Snoop Dogg will perform alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige as part of the Super Bowl LVI halftime show.
Today, it was announced that Snoop acquired the Death Row Records brand from MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music), which is controlled by private equity corporation Blackstone. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1992 by Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, the D.O.C. and Dick Griffey, Death Row Records was foundational in the establishment of West coast hip-hop. Along with Doggystyle, the label found multi-platinum success with titles including Dre's 1992 solo debut The Chronic, Tha Dogg Pound's 1995 debut Dogg Food, and 2Pac's 1996 double-album All Eyez On Me.
In the wake of 2Pac's death, Knight's imprisonment, and the departures of artists including Dre, Snoop, Nate Dogg and Kurupt, Death Row's influence began to wane. Mired in legal and personal issues, both Knight and the label would file for for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2006. In 2009, Death Row came under Canadian ownership following its auction to Toronto-based WIDEawake Entertainment Group.
The Death Row Records catalogue changed hands again in 2013, upon its sale to eOne. In 2019, the entertainment company was purchased by Hasbro for for $4 billion USD, ahead of the toymaker flipping eOne's music division, now named MNRK Music Group, to Blackstone for $385 million in 2021.
"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 in a statement. "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. I'm looking forward to building the next chapter of Death Row Records."
Chris Taylor, president and CEO of MNRK Music Group, added in a respective statement, "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."
This weekend (February 13), Snoop Dogg will perform alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige as part of the Super Bowl LVI halftime show.
