Dr. Dre recently opened up about his initial concerns over Snoop Dogg’s acquisition of Death Row Records, but now, he couldn’t be more proud of the way his former protégé has breathed new life into the iconic label.
During a live interview on Drink Champs at ComplexCon this past weekend, the legendary N.W.A member shared his thoughts on Snoop’s stewardship of the label. When co-host DJ EFN praised Snoop for his successful management of Death Row, Dre admitted that he had doubts at first due to the label’s tumultuous history.
“I’m gonna be honest with you, man. When I first heard Snoop was taking over Death Row, I was worried,” Dre confessed. “I was like, ‘Man, that label has so much drama attached to it.’”
However, Dre’s stance has shifted dramatically, and he’s now fully supportive of Snoop’s leadership. “But now, I’m beyond happy about it,” Dre continued. “I’m impressed by what my brother’s doing. He’s taken something we created and brought it back to life. I see his vision now, and I respect it. I’m proud of him.”
Snoop, visibly moved by the compliment, responded with gratitude. “That made me feel good. Thank you,” he said, before joking, “Y’all tryna make a man cry.”
Death Row Records, founded in 1991 by Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, The D.O.C., and Dick Griffey, became a defining force in the world of gangsta rap. With heavyweights like Dre, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, and Tha Dogg Pound on its roster, Death Row quickly rose to prominence and left an indelible mark on hip-hop history.
But the label wasn’t without its controversies, playing a central role in the East Coast vs. West Coast feud that tragically claimed the lives of both Tupac and Biggie. After a few years, Dre left Death Row due to creative disagreements with Suge Knight, eventually founding Aftermath Entertainment, where he would go on to launch the careers of stars like Eminem and 50 Cent.
After years of financial struggles and a period of dormancy, Death Row was purchased by Snoop Dogg in February 2022 in a deal that was kept private. At the time, Snoop expressed his excitement about the acquisition: “I’m honored to have the chance to own a brand as culturally significant as Death Row Records. It has incredible untapped potential.”
For Snoop, this wasn’t just a business move—it was deeply personal. “It feels good to own the label I was part of at the beginning of my career,” he added. “This is a major moment for me.”
Since taking over, Snoop has revived Death Row’s influential catalog, making it available on streaming platforms and releasing music from former artists like Tha Dogg Pound and Danny Boy. He’s also signed a new wave of talent, including October London, D Smoke, and Jane Handcock.
Snoop made his return to the label in 2022 with his first Death Row album in over 20 years, Bacc On Death Row. His next highly anticipated project, a collaboration with Dr. Dre titled Missionary, is set to drop on December 13. The 15-track album will feature appearances from Eminem, 50 Cent, Method Man, Jelly Roll, Sting, and Tom Petty.
This new era of Death Row, under Snoop’s leadership, is filled with fresh energy, and it’s clear that the Doggfather is shaping the label’s future with vision and passion.
