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The Billion-Dollar Journey: Who Owns Death Row Records Now, And Why Snoop Dogg Doesn't Own All The Masters

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The question of who owns Death Row Records has plagued the music industry for over two decades, representing one of the most complex and dramatic sagas in hip-hop history. As of late 2025, the iconic West Coast label is officially owned by the artist who helped build its legacy: Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus Jr. The acquisition, finalized in early 2022, marked a triumphant homecoming for the legendary rapper, who immediately declared his intention to transform the label into the first major record company focused on Web3 and NFTs. However, the full story of Death Row's journey—from its founding by Dr. Dre and Suge Knight to its current status under Snoop Dogg—is a winding tale of lawsuits, bankruptcy, corporate buyouts, and a surprising twist regarding the ownership of its most valuable master recordings. This article details the full, updated timeline of ownership and the current strategy guiding the label's revival today.

The Tumultuous Timeline of Death Row Records Ownership

The ownership history of Death Row Records is a cautionary tale of meteoric success followed by corporate collapse, involving a dizzying array of founders, private equity firms, and even a major toy company. The label’s journey from a hip-hop powerhouse to a corporate asset is essential to understanding its current value and catalog status.

The Foundational Era: Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, and The D.O.C. (1991–2006)

Death Row Records was co-founded in 1991 by Dr. Dre, The D.O.C., Dick Griffey, and Marion "Suge" Knight. The label quickly became a cultural juggernaut, launching the careers of Snoop Doggy Dogg and 2Pac Shakur and releasing seminal albums like *The Chronic* and *Doggystyle*. The success was immense, but the internal strife and legal issues, primarily centered around Suge Knight's aggressive leadership style, led to the label's eventual downfall. * 1991: Death Row Records is founded. * 1996: Dr. Dre departs to launch Aftermath Entertainment. * 1996: 2Pac is tragically killed. * 1997: Suge Knight is incarcerated for a parole violation. * 2006: The label files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following a $107 million judgment against Suge Knight. This marked the end of the original Death Row.

The Corporate Carousel: WIDEawake, eOne, Hasbro, and Blackstone (2009–2021)

Following the bankruptcy, the label’s assets, including the name and catalog, were sold off, beginning a decade-long period of corporate ownership that stripped the label of its cultural identity. * 2009: The assets are purchased for $18 million by WIDEawake Entertainment Group. This acquisition included the Death Row name and the master recordings for many of its releases. * 2023: WIDEawake files for bankruptcy. * 2013: Entertainment One (eOne) acquires the Death Row catalog and brand for a reported $6 million. The label became a division of eOne Music. * 2019: The toy giant Hasbro acquires eOne for approximately $3.8 billion, meaning the home of *My Little Pony* and *Monopoly* briefly owned the masters for *The Chronic* and *Doggystyle*. * 2021: Hasbro sells eOne Music to the private equity firm Blackstone for $385 million. The Death Row brand and catalog were now controlled by MNRK Music Group, a company managed by Blackstone.

The Triumphant Return: Snoop Dogg's Acquisition and The Master Recordings Mystery

The corporate carousel finally stopped in February 2022 when Snoop Dogg, who had often expressed his desire to reclaim his musical home, successfully purchased the Death Row Records brand.

The Two-Part Deal: Brand vs. Masters

Snoop Dogg’s acquisition from MNRK Music Group was initially a two-part process that created immediate confusion and controversy. 1. The Brand Acquisition: Snoop Dogg initially purchased the Death Row Records brand name and its associated trademarks. This allowed him to relaunch the company, sign new artists, and use the iconic logo and name. 2. The Catalog Acquisition: The highly valuable master recordings—the actual sound files of the music—were a separate negotiation. While Snoop Dogg later acquired the bulk of the label's catalog, the deal had a major exclusion that continues to shape the label's current strategy.

The Masters That Got Away: The Dr. Dre and 2Pac Exclusion

Despite the widespread celebration of Snoop Dogg’s ownership, a surprising and crucial detail emerged: his deal did not include the masters for the label's most valuable and iconic albums. * Dr. Dre's *The Chronic*: The master recordings for Dr. Dre's seminal 1992 album, which launched both Death Row and Snoop Dogg's career, were reportedly not included in the final sale to Snoop. * 2Pac's Key Albums: Similarly, the masters for 2Pac Shakur's classic Death Row albums, *All Eyez on Me* and *The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory*, were also excluded from the acquisition. This exclusion is due to the complex nature of music rights ownership following the label's bankruptcy and subsequent corporate sales. The rights to these specific albums were likely separated or reverted to Dr. Dre and 2Pac’s estate at different points in the past two decades.

Snoop Dogg's Vision: Death Row as the First NFT Label

With the brand firmly in his control, Snoop Dogg has not only revived the label but has also pivoted its business model to embrace the future of music consumption, focusing heavily on Web3 and the Metaverse.

A Web3 and NFT-Focused Strategy

Snoop Dogg immediately declared his intention to make Death Row Records the industry’s first major NFT (Non-Fungible Token) label. * Digital Exclusivity: The initial strategy involved pulling the Death Row catalog from major streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, intending to relaunch the music exclusively through Web3 platforms and as NFTs. * Metaverse Presence: Snoop Dogg, a major enthusiast of the digital space, has leveraged his ownership to explore virtual concerts, digital collectibles, and a strong presence in the Metaverse, aiming to connect directly with fans through new technology. This move is a direct challenge to the traditional streaming model, positioning Death Row Records as a pioneer in how artists and labels can monetize music in the digital age.

The New Era: Recent Signings and Revival (2024-2025)

The label is no longer solely a catalog-driven entity. Under Snoop Dogg's leadership, Death Row is actively signing a new generation of artists while also bringing back veterans. * October London: One of the most successful recent signings, October London, has gained significant traction, including a BET Best New Artist nomination, proving the label’s ability to develop modern talent. * Charlie BeReal: Another prominent new artist, Charlie BeReal, was introduced by Snoop Dogg, continuing the label's tradition of showcasing diverse West Coast sounds. * Danny Boy: Snoop also brought back former Death Row artist Danny Boy to the roster, bridging the label's legendary past with its ambitious future. * Other Artists: The current roster also includes artists like Jane Handcock, The Dogg Pound, Tha Eastsidaz, and Tonio Armani, showcasing a diverse mix of talent. The current ownership of Death Row Records is a story of reclamation. Snoop Dogg, the legendary artist who helped define the label's sound, has successfully brought the brand home, closing a chapter of corporate control. While the technical ownership of the most famous masters—those by Dr. Dre and 2Pac—remains a separate, complex issue, the label's cultural future is secure. Under Snoop Dogg, Death Row Records is no longer just a nostalgic brand; it is an active, forward-thinking entity focused on hip-hop’s next digital frontier.
The Billion-Dollar Journey: Who Owns Death Row Records Now, and Why Snoop Dogg Doesn't Own All The Masters
who owns death row records
who owns death row records

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