Dr. Dre Expresses Pride in Snoop Dogg’s Revival of Death Row Records

Dr. Dre, the legendary co-founder of Death Row Records, has shared his evolving feelings towards Snoop Dogg’s acquisition of the iconic label. In a recent Drink Champs interview at ComplexCon, Dre admitted that he was initially concerned when he first heard that Snoop was taking over Death Row. Given the label’s tumultuous history, Dre’s initial reaction was one of hesitation. “Let me tell you something, man. I was so upset when I heard that Snoop was doing the Death Row shit at the beginning,” Dre confessed, referring to the chaos and controversies that surrounded the label in its later years.

However, Dre’s reservations quickly faded as he witnessed Snoop’s leadership and vision for the brand. Reflecting on Snoop’s stewardship, Dre expressed his admiration for what his former protégé has accomplished. “But now, I’m so happy about it and so impressed at what my brother’s doing because he’s taken the thing that we created and brought it back to life,” Dre said. “I see his vision now. I appreciate it and I’m proud of it.” Snoop, seated next to Dre during the interview, was visibly moved by the praise, thanking Dre and DJ EFN, the show’s co-host, before jokingly adding, “Y’all tryna make a n-gga cry.”

Snoop’s purchase of Death Row Records in 2022 marked a significant moment in hip-hop history. The legendary label, founded in 1991 by Dre, Suge Knight, and others, became a powerhouse in the rap scene, home to artists like Tupac, Snoop, and Dre himself. Despite its success, the label’s later years were marred by drama, including the infamous East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry and the eventual fallout between Dre and Suge Knight.

Dre’s departure from Death Row in the mid-90s led him to establish Aftermath Entertainment, where he went on to discover and mentor artists like Eminem and 50 Cent. Death Row, meanwhile, struggled through financial difficulties and management issues, eventually lying dormant until Snoop’s purchase in 2022.

Since taking control, Snoop has revitalized the label by returning its classic catalog to streaming platforms, releasing music from former artists, and signing new talent like D Smoke and October London. In addition to revamping the brand, Snoop released his first Death Row album in 2022, Bacc On Death Row, and is set to drop a highly anticipated collaborative project with Dr. Dre, Missionary, on December 13, 2024.

Snoop’s efforts have not only revived the label’s legacy but also expanded its influence, ensuring that Death Row continues to shape the future of hip-hop. Dre’s initial concerns have clearly given way to admiration for how Snoop has embraced the task of breathing new life into the iconic brand.