After several ownership changes and the imprisonment of its former CEO and founder, Suge Knight, things have come full circle as Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr., has acquired Death Row Records.
Snoop, who was then known as Snoop Doggy Dogg, was a prominent member of Death Row’s roster back in the 90s. After featuring on Dre’s 1992 breakout album, The Chronic, Snoop would go on to set a new record as the fastest-selling debut album at the time with 1993’s Doggystyle. Snoop’s 1996 follow-up, Tha Doggfather, was also a huge hit for Death Row after going platinum. According to the official press release, Snoop is “thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value.” Snoop added that it “feels good” to own the label that played a huge role at the beginning of his career. The 50-year-old rapper describes it as an “extremely meaningful moment”. The press release makes no mention of how much Snoop paid to acquire Death Row, but it comes at an opportune time for the award-winning rapper. He is set to release his new album, BODR or Bacc on Death Row, on Sunday, the same day he will perform along with Dre and other hip-hop artists at the Super Bowl.