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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the hip hop record label. For the punk rock record label, see Ruthless Records (Chicago).
Ruthless Records

Founded March 3, 1987; 37 years ago[1]
Founder
Eric "Eazy-E" Wright
Jerry Heller
Status Defunct
Distributor(s)
Relativity
Genre
Hip hopR&B
Country of origin United States
Location Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
Ruthless Records was an American Independent record label founded by Eric "Eazy-E" Wright and Jerry Heller in Compton, California in 1987.[1] All of the Ruthless trademarks have been owned by Comptown Records, Inc. since 1987.[2] Several artists and groups on the label such as N.W.A, Eazy-E, MC Ren, The D.O.C., Michel'le, and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony have released RIAA certified albums.

History
N.W.A days
The label's first successful single was Eazy's "Boyz-n-the-Hood". The label's first album was N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton, which was eventually certified Triple Platinum by the RIAA.[3] Immediately following this was the release of Eazy's solo debut, Eazy-Duz-It.

As the six members went on tour in support of their project, some began to voice their displeasure with the financial situation at Ruthless. According to group member MC Ren, it was a common opinion that N.W.A manager and Ruthless co-founder Jerry Heller was the one receiving their due:

We felt he didn't deserve what he was getting. We deserved that s**t. We were the ones making the records, traveling in vans and driving all around the place. You do all those fu***ng shows trying to get known, and then you come home to a fu***ng apartment. Then you go to his house, and this mo********er lives in a mansion. There's gold leaf trimmings all in the bathroom and all kinds of other s**t. You're thinking, "Man, f**k that."[4]

Heller, in his 2006 memoir Ruthless, disputes any allegations of financial misconduct.[5]

The label also experienced outside pressure due to the group. The success of their song "F**k tha Police" led to a threatening FBI letter to distributor Priority Records.[6] After coming off tour, group member Ice Cube voiced his opinions on the group's finances. Though Heller continually claimed that everything was in order, and even offered them to open the account books to prove his innocence,[7] the ensuing confrontation ended in Ice Cube leaving Ruthless without signing on as a solo artist, which the remaining members proceeded to do.

1988 also saw the release of J.J. Fad's gold-certified[8] album Supersonic, produced by founding N.W.A member Arabian Prince and in 1989, singer Michel'le's eponymous self-titled album, and The D.O.C.'s critically acclaimed No One Can Do It Better (all released through Atlantic), all produced by N.W.A beat-smiths Dr. Dre and DJ Yella; following these efforts, Dre returned to N.W.A, producing the 100 Miles and Runnin' E.P. and the group's sophomore effort, Niggaz4Life, which reached Platinum status.[9] Above the Law's Livin' Like Hustlers was also released during this period (by way of Epic Records).

In 1989, Eazy signed hip-hop's first white female rapper Tairrie B to Ruthless' new Comptown label subsidiary. She released her debut album The Power of a Woman in 1990 (through MCA Records) featuring the single and video for "Murder She Wrote" which Eazy and Philadelphia rapper Schoolly D appeared in. The album also featured guest vocals by Dr. Dre, D.O.C. and future House of Pain frontman Everlast, and production by QDIII.

N.W.A breakup and other Ruthless artists
Though N.W.A was highly successful, Dr. Dre was advised by The D.O.C. and the rapper's friend, Suge Knight, that he should leave the label to avoid any possible financial meddling by Heller,[10] offering to extricate Dre from his Ruthless contract.[11] Eventually, Knight succeeded in procuring Dre, D.O.C. and Michel'le's contracts—through reportedly illicit means[12]—and proceeded to set up Death Row Records with Dre.

Now short of Dre, Eazy-E signed various other acts that would assist him in a subsequent rivalry with Death Row. Gangsta Dresta and B.G. Knocc Out were among the most vocal of these rappers, with DJ Yella, 187 um and new producer Rhythum D producing. While MC Ren and DJ Yella stayed neutral, they remained with Ruthless, releasing several LPs. Eazy-E released several high-profile LPs dissing Dre, including most famously It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa. Producer Big Hutch/Cold 187 um alleges that during this time period, with Ruthless switching distributors from Priority to Relativity and Epic, even Wright began to feel as though Heller wasn't being honest with the label's finances:

When the money started rolling and a lot of cats couldn't come to the table and renegotiate...Ya know, it was f**ked up! That's what was wrong. Like Eazy came to me one night and he said "Man, s**t is f**ked up, man." Because he was at a point where even he was getting played by Jerry Heller.[13]

However he added, "I can't knock Jerry Heller... because Jerry Heller gave us all an opportunity. He took us to the people to get massive exposure. We couldn't have walked through the doors as brothers like that. We needed a guy like Jerry Heller to do that. You need that face, you need that voice, you need that guy with a connect like that. Without him there wouldn't have been none of that."[14]

Eazy-E allegedly fired Heller shortly before his death in 1995.[15]

Eazy-E's death
On March 1, 1995, Eazy-E was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS; around this time he was beginning to work on his third LP. He had just signed the Cleveland, Ohio-based group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, whose 1994 extended play Creepin on ah Come Up was well received by critics and fans. Eazy-E executive produced Bone Thugs' second album, E 1999 Eternal, which was released shortly after his death on March 26, 1995, of HIV/AIDS in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.[16] Their smash 1996 single "Tha Crossroads" was dedicated to Eazy-E and helped push the album to multi-platinum success.

The label has had several distributors simultaneously. Early Ruthless releases were distributed by Macola (including certain material from JJ Fad which was made prior to the completion of the Supersonic album, which were at first released on Ruthless' short-lived Dream Team subsidiary), but that deal was short-lived and the rights reverted to Ruthless. All of N.W.A's releases and Eazy-E's debut solo album on Ruthless Records were distributed by Priority, and the rights to these releases are now held by Priority's new owner, Capitol. Releases by The D.O.C, Michel'le, Yomo & Maulkie and JJ Fad were marketed through Atlantic or its subsidiary Atco. These master rights are still held by Atlantic's parent company, Warner, while Above The Law's releases were marketed through Epic and Giant. In 1994, Ruthless found exclusive distribution through Relativity, a former heavy metal label. Relativity was later folded into its parent company, Sony.[citation needed]

Roster
Former artists
Act Year
signed Releases
under the label
Eazy-E Founder (until death in 1995) 5
MC Ren 1987 - 1998 4
N.W.A 1987 - 1991 3
J. J. Fad 1987 - 1991 2
Dr. Dre 1987 - 1991 —
The D.O.C. 1988 - 1991 1
Michel'le 1988 - 1991 1
Fila Fresh Crew[a] 1988 - 1990 1
Yomo & Maulkie 1989 - 1992 1
Kokane 1989 - 1995 2
Tarrie B[b] 1989 - 1994 1
Jimmy Z 1990 - 1991 1
Above the Law 1989 - 1996 4
Penthouse Players Clique 1991 - 1993 1
Atban Klann 1992 - 1995 —
H.W.A. 1992 - 1995 2
Menajahtwa 1992 - 1994 1
Blood of Abraham 1993 - 1994 1
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony 1993 - 2003 5
Krayzie Bone 1993 - 2003 2
Bizzy Bone 1993 - 2003 1
Layzie Bone 1993 - 2003 1
Wish Bone 1993 - 2003 —
Brownside 1994 - 1995 —
Frost 1994 - 1997 2
King T 1997 - 2000 –
Stevie Stone 2007 - 2009 1
Street Runnaz Click 2007 - 2009 1
Hopsin 2007 - 2009 1
Former producers
Producer Years on
the label
Dr. Dre 1987–1991
Cold 187um 1989–1996
Rhythm D[17] 1993–1995
DJ U-Neek 1993–2003
Alexzander ATL 2007–2009
Notes
Released a single under the Comptown imprint
Released an album under the Comptown imprint
Discography
Main article: Ruthless Records discography
Studio albums
Artist Album Details
J. J. Fad Supersonic
Released: June 15, 1988
Chart positions: #49 U.S.
RIAA certification: Gold
N.W.A Straight Outta Compton
Released: August 8, 1988
Chart positions: #4 U.S.
RIAA certification: 3× Platinum
Eazy-E Eazy-Duz-It
Released: September 16, 1988
Chart positions: #20 U.S.
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
The D.O.C No One Can Do It Better
Released: June 16, 1989
Chart positions: #20 U.S.
RIAA certification: Platinum
Michel'le Michel'le
Released: October 23, 1989
Chart positions: #35 U.S.
RIAA certification: Gold
Above the Law Livin' Like Hustlers
Released: February 20, 1990
Chart positions: #75 U.S.
N.W.A 100 Miles and Runnin'
Released: August 14, 1990
Chart positions: #27 U.S.
RIAA certification: Platinum
J. J. Fad Not Just a Fad
Released: November 13, 1990
N.W.A Niggaz4Life
Released: May 28, 1991
Chart positions: #1 U.S.
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
Above the Law Vocally Pimpin'
Released: July 16, 1991
Chart positions: #120 U.S.
Yomo & Maulkie Are U Xperienced?
Released: September 14, 1991
Jimmy Z Muzical Madness
Released: October 1, 1991
Penthouse Players Clique Paid the Cost
Released: April 21, 1992
Chart positions: #75 U.S.
MC Ren Kizz My Black A*z
Released: June 30, 1992
Chart positions: #12 U.S.
RIAA certification: Platinum
Eazy-E 5150: Home 4 tha Sick
Released: December 15, 1992
Chart positions: #70 U.S.
RIAA certification: Gold
Above the Law Black Mafia Life
Released: February 2, 1993
Chart positions: #37 U.S.
Eazy-E It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa
Released: October 19, 1993
Chart positions: #5 U.S.
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
MC Ren Shock of the Hour
Released: November 16, 1993
Chart positions: #22 U.S.
RIAA certification: Gold
H.W.A. Az Much Ass A*z U Want
Released: February 22, 1994
Kokane Funk Upon a Rhyme
Released: April 12, 1994
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Creepin on ah Come Up
Released: June 21, 1994
Chart positions: #12 U.S.
RIAA certification: 4× Platinum
Above the Law Uncle Sam's Curse
Released: July 12, 1994
Chart positions: #113 U.S.
Menajahtwa Cha-licious
Released: August 23, 1994
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony E. 1999 Eternal
Released: July 25, 1995
Chart positions: #1 U.S.
RIAA certification: 6× Platinum
Frost Smile Now, Die Later
Released: October 24, 1995
Chart positions: #119 U.S.
Eazy-E Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton
Released: January 30, 1996
Chart positions: #3 U.S.
RIAA certification: Gold
MC Ren The Villain in Black
Released: April 9, 1996
Chart positions: #31 U.S.
Frost When Hell.A. Freezes Over
Released: July 1, 1997
Chart positions: #154 U.S.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony The Art of War
Released: July 29, 1997
Chart positions: #1 U.S.
RIAA certification: 4× Platinum
MC Ren Ruthless for Life
Released: June 30, 1998
Chart positions: #100 U.S.
Bizzy Bone Heaven'z Movie
Released: October 6, 1998
Chart positions: #3 U.S.
RIAA certification: Gold
Krayzie Bone Thug Mentality 1999
Released: April 6, 1999
Chart positions: #4 U.S.
RIAA certification: Platinum
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony BTNHResurrection
Released: February 29, 2000
Chart positions: #2 U.S.
RIAA certification: Platinum
Layzie Bone Thug by Nature
Released: March 20, 2001
Chart positions: #43 U.S.
RIAA certification: Platinum
Eazy-E Impact of a Legend
Released: March 26, 2002
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Thug World Order
Released: October 29, 2002
Chart positions: #12 U.S.
RIAA certification: Platinum
Compilation albums
Artist Album Details
N.W.A Greatest Hits
Released: July 2, 1996
Chart positions: #48 U.S.
RIAA certification: Gold
N.W.A The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 1: 1988–1998
Released: March 23, 1999
Chart positions: #77 U.S.
RIAA certification: Platinum
Various Artists The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 2
Released: August 27, 2002
Chart positions: #154 U.S.
N.W.A The Best of N.W.A: The Strength of Street Knowledge
Released: December 26, 2006
Chart positions: #72 U.S.
N.W.A Family Tree
Released: December 30, 2008
References
"Lonzo Williams: Dre & Eazy Were Supposes to Co-Own Ruthless Records". DJVlad. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
"RUTHLESS RECORDS Trademark of Comptown Records, Inc. - Registration Number 2167436 - Serial Number 75288882 :: Justia Trademarks". Trademarks.justia.com. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
"Straight Outta Compton Gold & Platinum certifications". RIAA. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
Burgess, Omar (26 October 2008). "MC Ren: RenIncarnated". Hiphop DX. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
Heller, Jerry (2006). Ruthless: A Memoir. Simon Spotlight Entertainment. pp. 293. ISBN 1-4169-1792-6.
"N.W.A. Outta Compton in 1989: N.W.A. : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. 31 January 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-01-31. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
Ruthless (Heller/Reavill, 2007) ISBN 1-4169-1794-2
"Supersonic Gold & Platinum RIAA certification". RIAA. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
"N.W.A. Gold & Platinum RIAA certification". RIAA. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
"Interview with DOC". Archive.today. Archived from the original on 26 March 2006. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
Collis, Clark (2007-01-04). "Heller Fire". EW.com. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
"// Erotic D Interview- Part 1 (June 2008) // West Coast News Network //". Dubcnn.com. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
"World Wide Connected HipHop & RNB - Article". www.worldwideconnected.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
"World Wide Connected HipHop & RnB - Article". 2007-09-28. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
"Jerry Heller, former manager of hip hop group N.W.A, dead at 75". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
"Eazy-E, 31, Founder Of 'Gangsta' Rap - Obituary". New York Times. 27 March 1995. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
Holdin Court Podcast (June 3, 2023). "Rhythm D On Weird Death Row Record Initiations And Leaving Death Row For Ruthless Records. (Part 1)". YouTube. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
Works cited

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External links
Biography of Eazy-E
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Categories: Hip hop record labelsAmerican record labelsRecord labels established in 1987Record labels disestablished in 2009Epic RecordsCompton, CaliforniaGangsta rap record labelsEazy-EAtlantic Records

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Contents hide ( OYE CARTELKING ) IS CEO OF DEATHROW RECORDS UNTILL SUGE KNIGHT IS RELEASED SNOOP DOGG IS JUST A ARTIST'S ON THE LABEL
(Top)
History
Toggle History subsection
1987–1992: Origins and the first generation
1992–1995: The Chronic, Do******le, and other releases
1995–1996: Signing 2Pac, Bad Boy Records feud, Dr. Dre's departure
1996–2001: Tupac Shakur's murder, Suge Knight's incarceration, and decline
2001–2005: Knight's release, return to prison, second generation
2006–2022: Bankruptcy, closure, WIDEawake, Hasbro
2022–present: Revival through Snoop Dogg and third generation
Gang violence
Toggle Gang violence subsection
Murder of William "Rat" Ratcliffe
Murder of the Notorious B.I.G.
Feud between the Mob Piru and Fruit Town Piru
Roster
Toggle Roster subsection
Current artists
Former artists
Former producers
Discography
Toggle Discography subsection
Studio albums
Compilation albums
See also
References
Further reading
External links
Death Row Records

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Death Row Records

Founded 1991; 33 years ago (original)
February 9, 2022; 2 years ago (revival)
Founder
Dr. Dre
The D.O.C.
Suge Knight
Dick Griffey
(original)[1][2]
Status Active
Distributor(s)
Interscope (1992–1997)
Priority (1992–2003)
Koch (2003–2007)
AMPED Distribution (physical, 2021–2022)
gamma. (2023–present)[3][4][5]
Create (digital)[6]
Genre
Hip hopR&B
Country of origin United States
Location Los Angeles, California
Official website deathrowofficial.com
Death Row Records is an American record label that was founded in 1991 by The D.O.C., Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, and Dick Griffey.[7] The label became a sensation by releasing multi-platinum hip-hop albums by West Coast-based artists such as Dr. Dre (The Chronic), Snoop Dogg (Do******le) and 2Pac (All Eyez on Me) during the 1990s. At its peak, Death Row was making over US $150 million a year.[8]

By the late 1990s, the label began to decline after the death of its star artist, 2Pac, imprisonment of Suge Knight, and the departures of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Although Death Row was enjoying financial success, it was embroiled in controversies, lawsuits, and violence by its artists and associates.

Death Row Records filed for bankruptcy in 2006 and was auctioned to WIDEawake Entertainment for $18 million on January 15, 2009.[9] The owner of WIDEawake went bankrupt in 2012; the label was sold to Entertainment One, and it then became a division of Hasbro until April 2021, when eOne Music was sold to the Blackstone Group.[10] Snoop Dogg bought Death Row from MNRK Music Group in February 2022, intending to revive the label.[11][12]

History
1987–1992: Origins and the first generation
Main article: 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.[13] After the departure of Ice Cube in 1989 over financial disagreements with Jerry Heller,[14] 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.[15] 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.[16]

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' [17] (a play on Def Jam),[18] 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.[19] 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.[20] 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.[21]

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.[22] 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'?"[22] 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.[22] 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.[23]

1992–1995: The Chronic, Do******le, and other releases
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.

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,[24] popularizing the distinctive style of G-Funk.[25] The Death Row roster consisted of Dre, Snoop, Daz, Kurupt, Nate Dogg, Lady of Rage, the D.O.C., Jewell, RBX, and many more. Later on, Death Row artist Lil 1/2 Dead's contract was sold to Priority Records where he released his debut album The Dead Has Arisen.

After Snoop Dogg found solo success through his features on The Chronic, Dre began producing Snoop Dogg's debut album Do******le throughout 1993. Snoop's debut was released on November 23, 1993 due to public demand and high pressure from retailers. Though unfinished,[26] it outperformed The Chronic at Quadruple Platinum,[27] and garnered similarly glowing reviews.[28] Soon after the release of the album, Snoop Dogg was charged with murder,[citation needed] fueling the debate that politicians C. Delores Tucker and vice presidential candidate Dan Quayle sparked [citation needed] 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.[29] Death Row also donated turkeys the following year as well.[30]

On March 13, 1995, Death Row Records hosted a private party at the El Rey Theatre, where Kelly Jamerson, a Rolling 60's Crip,[31] was severely beaten by several Bloods, who were allegedly from Suge Knight's inner circle.[32] As a result of his injuries, Jamerson died the next day at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

1995–1996: Signing 2Pac, Bad Boy Records feud, Dr. Dre's departure
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.[33] Already reputed for strongarm tactics on the Los Angeles rap scene, after giving a brief comment of support for Shakur,[34] Suge used his brief stage time mainly to disparage Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, boss 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.[35][36] Suge then invited artists seeking the spotlight for themselves to join Death Row.[35][36] 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.[37]

Still, among the fans, the previously diffuse rivalry between America's two mainstream rap scenes had instantly flared already.[35][34][36] 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.[38] 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.[38]

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.[35][39] According to eyewitnesses, including a Fulton County sheriff working there as a nightclub bouncer, Puff had heatedly disputed with Suge inside the club.[35] 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.[35][40][41]

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.[42] 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.[43] 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.[35][44]

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 He**in" music video.[45] 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.[21] 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.[46] 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.[47][48] However, Hammer did record tracks with Shakur and others, most notably the song "Too Late Playa" (along with Big Daddy Kane and Danny Boy).[49] After the death of Tupac in 1996, MC Hammer left the label.[50][51]

1996–2001: Tupac Shakur's murder, Suge Knight's incarceration, and decline
Main article: 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 A*z 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 A*z, 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.[26]

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.[52] 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;[53][54] 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 parole violation and sentenced to nine years in prison,[55] causing Interscope to drop their distribution deal with the label.[56]

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.

2001–2005: Knight's release, return to prison, second generation
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.[57][58][59][60] 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.[61][62] 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.[63] 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,[64] a company known for its success with Irish country music artists such as Daniel O'Donnell[65] The joint-venture signed British R&B singer Mark Morrison[66] 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,[67] 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,[68] Rapper Crooked I left Death Row, eventually filing a gag order on Knight to prevent him from interfering with him finding a new deal.[69] Petey Pablo, who had signed in 2005 and started the never-released album Same Eyez on Me,[70] left along with rapper Tha Realest[71] in 2006.

2006–2022: Bankruptcy, closure, WIDEawake, Hasbro
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.[72] 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.[73] 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.[74]

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.[75] The album also contained a scene from an unfinished feature film entitled, SAIGON, CA, which was to launch WIDEawake's film studio.[76][77] 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.[78] 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".[79]

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.[80] In 2013, Entertainment One purchased the rights to the Death Row catalog. New Solutions Financial Corporation was eventually exposed as an alleged Ponzi scheme.[81]

On August 23, 2019, American toy company Hasbro announced a $4 billion purchase of eOne, making them the owners of Death Row Records.[82] 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.[83][84]

2022–present: Revival through Snoop Dogg and third generation
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.[85][86][87]

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 Do******le and Dr. Dre's The Chronic. Despite the interview, Dr. Dre's lawyer, Howard King, later refuted the "false reports" two days later, stating that Dre still retains total control of The Chronic, which came back to streaming services on February 1, 2023.[88][89][90] 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.[91]

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.[92] 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.[93] Death Row's catalogue returned to all music streaming services on March 9, 2023.[94]

Gang violence
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.[95] 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.[96] 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.

Murder of William "Rat" Ratcliffe
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.[97]

Murder of the Notorious B.I.G.
Main article: 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.[97] Through his then-girlfriend Theresa Swann, the incarcerated Knight contacted Wardell Fouse and hired him to kill The Notorious B.I.G.[98] Swann was given $25,000, of which $13,000 would go to Fouse.[97]

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).[99] 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.[97] As Fouse was murdered in 2003, no charges were pressed against him.

Feud between the Mob Piru and Fruit Town Piru
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".[100]
Henry "Hendog" Smith, who designed the logo for Death Row Records.[96] Smith was shot dead on October 16, 2002.[101] Smith was killed by a member of the Denver Lanes Bloods.[102]
Wardell "Poochie" Fouse, who was shot dead on July 24, 2003.[103]
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.[104] 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.[105]

Roster
Current artists
Act Years on
the label Releases
under the label
Snoop Dogg Owner
1991–1998[106]
2022–present 4
Merkules[107] 2022–present –
Jane Handcock[108] 2022–present 1
October London[109] 2023–present 2
Julian Torres[110] 2023–present –
Dame Debiase 2023–present –
D Smoke 2023–present –
Tha Dogg Pound 1992–1998, 2024–present 2
Danny Boy 1994–1999, 2002–2005, 2024–present 1
TMS Too Much Swag 2024–present –
Charlie Bereal 2024–present –
Former artists
Act Years on
the label Releases
under the label
The D.O.C. 1991–1994 –
Dr. Dre 1991–1996 1
Michel'le 1991–1999
2002–2003 1
Jewell 1991–1997 1
The Lady of Rage 1991–1998 1
Paradise[111] 1991–1998 –
EMmage 1991–1992 –
Nate Dogg 1992–1998 –
Kurupt 1992–1998, 2002–2005 1
Daz Dillinger 1992–1998 1
CPO 1993–1996 –
Sam Sneed 1993–1996 1
O.F.T.B. 1993–1998 1
J-Flexx 1994–1999 –
Young Soldierz 1994–1998 –
Redrum 781 1995–1996 –
Bloody Mary 1995–1996 –
K-Solo[112] 1995–1996 –
2Pac 1995–1996 5
MC Hammer 1995–1996 –
Prince Ital Joe 1995–1998 –
6 Feet Deep[113] 1995–1997 –
Soopafly[114] 1996–1998 –
B.G.O.T.I. 1996–1997 –
Gina Longo 1996–1998 –
Outlawz[115] 1997–1999 –
Top Dogg[116] 1997–2001 –
Chocolate Bandit 1997–1999 –
Tha Realest 1996–2005 –
Lil' C-Style 1998–2001 –
Swoop G 1998–2001 –
Doobie 1998–2001 –
Mac Shawn[117] 1998–2001 –
VK 1998–2000 –
Above the Law 1999–2002 –
Crooked I 1999–2004 1
K9 1999–2001 –
Keita Rock 1999–2001 –
SKG 2000–2004 –
Eastwood[118] 2001–2004 –
Lisa Lopes 2001–2002 –
Former producers
Producer Years on
the label
Dr. Dre 1991–1996
Chris "The Glove" Taylor 1991–1996
Rhythm D[119] 1991–1992
Daz Dillinger 1992–1998
Kevyn Lewis 1992–1999
Sam Sneed 1993–1996
Sean "Barney Rubble" Thomas 1993–1997
Hurt-M-Badd 1995–1998
Darryl "Big D" Harper 1996–1999
Reggie "Devell" Moore 1996–1999
Soopafly[120] 1996–1998
Curtis "Kurt Kobane" Couthon 1996–2000
Cold 187um 1999–2002
Darren Vegas 2000–2004
Discography
Studio albums
Main article: Death Row Records discography
Artist Album Details
Dr. Dre The Chronic
Released: December 15, 1992
Chart positions: #3 U.S.
RIAA certification: 3× Platinum[121]
Snoop Doggy Dogg Do******le
Released: November 23, 1993
Chart positions: #1 U.S.
RIAA certification: 4× Platinum
Tha Dogg Pound Dogg Food
Released: October 31, 1995
Chart positions: #1 U.S.
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
2Pac All Eyez on Me
Released: February 13, 1996
Chart positions: #1 U.S.
RIAA certification: Diamond (10× Platinum)
Makaveli The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
Released: November 5, 1996
Chart positions: #1 U.S.
RIAA certification: 4× Platinum
Snoop Doggy Dogg Tha Doggfather
Released: November 12, 1996
Chart positions: #1 U.S.
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
Lady of Rage Necessary Roughness
Released: June 24, 1997
Chart positions: #32 U.S.
Daz Dillinger Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back
Released: March 31, 1998
Chart positions: #8 U.S.
Michel'le Hung Jury
Released: August 24, 1998
Chart positions: –
2Pac Until the End of Time
Released: March 27, 2001
Chart positions: #1 U.S.
RIAA certification: 3× Platinum
2Pac Better Dayz
Released: November 26, 2002
Chart positions: #5 U.S.
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
Kurupt Against the Grain
Released: August 23, 2005
Chart positions: #60 U.S.
Danny Boy It's About Time
Released: April 20, 2010
Chart positions: –
Crooked I Hood Star
Released: June 15, 2010
Chart positions: –
Sam Sneed Street Scholars
Released: January 25, 2011
Chart positions: –
LBC Crew Haven't You Heard
Released: February 8, 2011
Chart positions: –
O.F.T.B. Damn Near Dead
Released: July 12, 2011
Chart positions: –
Jewell Black Diamond
Released: November 22, 2011
Chart positions: –
Snoop Dogg BODR
Released: February 11, 2022
Chart positions: #104 U.S.
Jane Handcock World of Women
Released: January 20, 2023
Chart positions: –
October London The Rebirth of Marvin
Released: February 10, 2023
Chart positions: –
Tha Dogg Pound W.A.W.G. (We All We Got)
Released: May 31, 2024
Chart positions: –
October London October Nights
Released: October 11, 2024
Chart positions: –
Snoop Dogg Missionary
Released: TBA
Chart positions: –
Compilation albums
Artist Album Details
Various Artists Above the Rim
Released: March 22, 1994
Chart positions: #2 U.S.
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
Various Artists Murder Was the Case
Released: October 15, 1994
Chart positions: #1 U.S.
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
Various Artists Death Row Greatest Hits
Released: November 26, 1996
Chart positions: #36 U.S.
RIAA certification: Platinum
Various Artists Christmas on Death Row
Released: December 3, 1996
Chart positions: #155 U.S.
Various Artists Gridlock'd
Released: January 28, 1997
Chart positions: #1 U.S.
RIAA certification: Gold
Various Artists Gang Related
Released: October 7, 1997
Chart positions: #2 U.S.
RIAA certification: 2× Platinum
2Pac Greatest Hits
Released: November 24, 1998
Chart positions: #3 U.S.
RIAA certification: Diamond
Various Artists Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000
Released: May 4, 1999
Chart positions: #11 U.S.
Various Artists Too Gangsta for Radio
Released: September 26, 2000
Chart positions: #171 U.S.
Snoop Doggy Dogg Dead Man Walkin'
Released: October 31, 2000
Chart positions: #24 U.S.
Tha Dogg Pound 2002
Released: July 31, 2001
Chart positions: #36 U.S.
Snoop Doggy Dogg Death Row: Snoop Doggy Dogg at His Best
Released: October 23, 2001
Chart positions: #28 U.S.
Various Artists Dysfunktional Family
Released: March 11, 2003
Chart positions: #95 U.S.
2Pac Nu-Mixx Klazzics
Released: October 7, 2003
Chart positions: #15 U.S.
Various Artists The Very Best of Death Row
Released: February 22, 2005
Chart positions: #94 U.S.
Various Artists 15 Years on Death Row
Released: December 26, 2006
Chart positions: –
2Pac Nu-Mixx Klazzics Vol. 2
Released: August 14, 2007
Chart positions: #45 U.S.
2Pac Best of 2Pac, Part 1: Thug
Released: December 4, 2007
Chart positions: #65 U.S.
2Pac Best of 2Pac, Part 2: Life
Released: December 4, 2007
Chart positions: #77 U.S.
Snoop Doggy Dogg Death Row: The Lost Sessions Vol. 1
Released: October 13, 2009
Chart positions: –
Tha Dogg Pound Doggy Bag
Released: July 3, 2012
Chart positions: –
See also
Death Row Records artists
References
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Further reading
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
External links
Death Row Records – Official YouTube
vte
Rampart scandal
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
Categories: Death Row RecordsAmerican companies established in 1991American companies disestablished in 2006American companies established in 2022American independent record labelsGangsta rap record labelsHip hop record labelsRecord labels based in CaliforniaVanity record labelsRecord labels established in 1991Record labels disestablished in 20061991 establishments in California2006 disestablishments in California2022 establishments in CaliforniaDefunct companies based in Greater Los AngelesDr. DreTupac ShakurMNRK Music GroupObscenity controversies in music
This page was last edited on 11 October 2024, at 17:23 (UTC).
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