The Epic Saga: Who Owns Death Row Records Now? (The $50 Million Comeback)

The iconic Death Row Records, a label synonymous with the West Coast hip-hop golden era, is currently owned by the legendary rapper, entrepreneur, and former flagship artist, Snoop Dogg. The acquisition, which was announced in February 2022, marked a monumental moment in music history, bringing the label's brand and a significant portion of its masters back under the control of one of its most famous contributors. The current date, December 18, 2025, sees the label actively moving forward with a bold new vision, transitioning from a traditional record company into a cutting-edge "NFT label," a move that has captivated the music industry and fans alike.

This full-circle moment for Snoop Dogg, whose career was launched by Death Row with his debut album *Doggystyle*, closes the book on a tumultuous two-decade period of corporate ownership, bankruptcy, and legal battles that saw the label pass through the hands of multiple private equity firms and holding companies. The story of Death Row's ownership is one of the most dramatic sagas in music, reflecting the rise, fall, and ultimate redemption of a cultural powerhouse.

The New Regime: Snoop Dogg's Ownership and Future Plans (2022-Present)

In a move that thrilled hip-hop fans worldwide, Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus Jr. acquired the Death Row Records brand from MNRK Music Group, which is controlled by the global private equity giant, Blackstone, in February 2022. The deal, which was reported to be worth approximately $50 million, was announced just days before Snoop Dogg's performance at the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, cementing his status not just as an artist, but as a major music mogul.

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Snoop Dogg's intention was clear: to revive the label and reconnect it with its cultural legacy. However, his vision for the future is anything but traditional. He quickly announced plans to transform Death Row Records into the music industry's first "NFT label."

• NFT Label Strategy: The core of this plan involves leveraging Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology to distribute music and create unique fan experiences, moving away from traditional streaming platforms.
• Catalog Ownership: Crucially, the acquisition included the masters for several key albums, allowing Snoop Dogg to finally own his own work, including his classic debut, *Doggystyle*. The deal also secured the masters for albums by other Death Row legends like Tha Dogg Pound's Daz Dillinger and Kurupt, and Lady of Rage.
• Tupac's Masters: The masters for Tupac Shakur's seminal works, including *All Eyez on Me* and *The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory*, were not initially included in the deal. However, Snoop Dogg has expressed confidence in working with Tupac's estate to eventually bring those masters home to the label.
• New Signings and Releases: Under Snoop's leadership, the label is actively signing new talent. Recent additions include Charlie Bereal and Phonixthecool. Furthermore, classic groups like Tha Dogg Pound and Tha Eastsidaz have returned to the roster, signaling a true revival of the West Coast sound.

The Tumultuous Death Row Records Ownership Timeline: From Suge Knight to Blackstone

The story of Death Row Records is a cautionary tale of meteoric success followed by corporate entanglement. Understanding the long and complex chain of ownership is essential to appreciating the significance of Snoop Dogg's acquisition. The label’s journey from a hip-hop empire to a corporate asset spanned over two decades and involved some of the biggest names in business and music.

The Founding Era (1991–2006): Suge Knight and the Rise of G-Funk

Death Row Records was founded in 1991 by a powerful collective: Marion "Suge" Knight, Dr. Dre, The D.O.C., and Dick Griffey. Under the aggressive leadership of Suge Knight and the musical genius of Dr. Dre, the label quickly became the most dominant force in hip-hop, launching the careers of Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur and defining the sound of G-Funk. However, internal conflicts, legal issues, and the eventual incarceration of Suge Knight led to the label filing for bankruptcy in 2006, marking the end of its golden age and the beginning of its corporate odyssey.

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The Corporate Carousel (2006–2022): The Era of Private Equity

After the bankruptcy, the label's assets, including its valuable catalog, were repeatedly sold and resold as a distressed asset, passing through a series of owners who were primarily interested in monetizing the existing music catalog rather than developing new artists.

WIDEawake Entertainment (2009): The label was initially purchased out of bankruptcy by WIDEawake Entertainment Group for $18 million. This company later faced its own financial difficulties and also declared bankruptcy.

Entertainment One (eOne) (2013): The catalog was then acquired by Entertainment One (eOne), a Canadian entertainment company. This period saw the label become a minor division within a large, multinational corporation.

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Hasbro (2019): In one of the most bizarre twists in music history, eOne was purchased by the American toy and board game company Hasbro for a staggering $4 billion. This briefly made the company that owns Monopoly and My Little Pony the owner of the Death Row Records music catalog, a surreal chapter in the label's story.

MNRK Music Group / Blackstone (2021): Hasbro later sold eOne Music, which included Death Row, to the private equity firm Blackstone, which rebranded the music division as MNRK Music Group. It was from this entity that Snoop Dogg was finally able to purchase the label's brand and a portion of its masters in 2022.

Topical Authority: Why Snoop Dogg's Acquisition Is More Than Just a Business Deal

Snoop Dogg's ownership is a significant cultural event that extends far beyond a simple business transaction. It represents the reclamation of cultural heritage and the restoration of artistic control to the creators who built the label's legacy. For decades, the intellectual property of Death Row Records, a label that defined a generation with albums like *The Chronic* and *Doggystyle*, was controlled by corporate entities with no connection to West Coast hip-hop culture.

The acquisition ensures that the label's future direction is guided by someone who lived and breathed its history. By turning it into an "NFT label," Snoop Dogg is not only reviving the brand but is also positioning it at the forefront of the music industry's technological evolution. This move is a direct response to the challenges of traditional streaming revenue, offering artists new ways to monetize their work and connect with fans. The return of the label's masters to the hands of the artists is a powerful statement about ownership and legacy, providing a hopeful blueprint for other artists seeking to reclaim their catalogs from corporate owners.