Snoop Dogg Says He’s Back On Death Row

Almost 24 years ago, Snoop Dogg’s recording contract changed hands between two power-house record labels. Snoop, who became Death Row Records’ first home-grown star alongside mentor Dr. Dre during the early 1990s, suddenly joined Master P’s No Limit Records in a cash deal reportedly worth $4 million. At the time, Death Row’s CEO and co-founder, Marion “Suge” Knight was behind bars for a probation violation related to the same night Tupac Shakur was fatally shot, and the label was on a downward slide. Meanwhile, No Limit had become a hotbed of talent, including P, Silkk The Shocker, Mystikal, C-Murder, and others. Snoop would record three albums at No Limit before moving on to other situations.

In 2022, Snoop has christened his next project, B.O.D.R (Bacc On Death Row). On Tuesday night (January 25), Snoop posted artwork, borrowed from a February 1996 issue of VIBE magazine’s photoshoot that also included Suge, Dre, and Tupac. The latest post has a young Snoop proudly sporting his label chain and medallion. The posting, one of several, touts a February 13, 2022 release date. However, Snoop is now public about the meaning of the acronym. Notably, that date overlaps with Snoop’s Super Bowl Halftime Show concert supporting Death Row’s co-founder, Dr. Dre. Last week, the two appeared in an ad for the event, alongside Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige. It is unclear if Snoop Dogg is promoting an album, a video single, or both. However, multiple song clips are circulating.

 

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Snoop Explains Why He Loves Suge Knight & How They Rebuilt Their Bond (Video)

Music video clips were also circulated (and shared on social media by Snoop) that may be attached to the album. One features Snoop in Death Row apparel, while another finds Snoop standing in a prison setting alongside The Eastsidaz’ Tray Deee.

 

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Recently, Snoop declared that he wanted to be an executive at Death Row, which has changed hands since Knight lost it in bankruptcy 15-plus years ago. In the mid-1990s, Snoop founded Doggystyle Records—named after his classic 1993 Death Row debut. There, he often worked with other former Death Row affiliates, including Nate Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, The Lady Of Rage, Bad Azz, Tray Deee, Mac Shawn, and many others. At present, Tha Doggfather is consulting for Def Jam.He revealed that he signed Benny The Butcher to a major label solo deal in November. “I went looking for this [Def Jam] job because I wanted to be the CEO of Death Row Records and basically take over the merchandise and re-release their music, do documentaries, and possibly do my life story,” Snoop told GQ in late 2021. Previously, he served as an exec at Priority, the same distribution company and label that brokered Snoop’s Death Row exit in 1998—after just two albums and a compilation.

Snoop Doggy Dogg’s Doggystyle & The Death Row Records Reign (Food For Thought)

The closeness to Snoop’s past has been a theme to his moves. In the summer of 2019, Snoop dedicated a song to the now-incarcerated Knight, “Let Bygones Be Bygones.” The peace-offering came after the men had taken photos together in the middle of the decade—years removed from threats, disses, and alleged altercations in the streets. He also recently gifted Eli Manning with a Death Row chain, making viral memes and online commentary, after the retired NFL quarterback wore the medallion on television.

Last month, it was announced that Snoop and 50 Cent have partnered for a Murder Was The Case television series. Based on the song, that album and mini-movie intersected with Snoop facing a real-life murder charge. In 1996, the artist and his co-defendant, McKinley Lee, were acquitted in a high-profile trial that included Johnnie Cochran on Snoop’s legal team. Earlier this month, Snoop collaborator and former Death Row artist CPO Boss Hogg passed away.

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#BonusBeat: A recent discussion on the What’s The Headline podcast about why Snoop realigning with Death Row Records makes sense (at 1:26:00):