Snoop Dogg accused of ‘destroying’ hip-hop

Rap legend Snoop Dogg is facing criticism for his role in the current state of hip-hop and the legacy of Death Row Records.

The record label was founded in 1991 by Dr. Dre, The D.O.C., Dick Griffey and Suge Knight. It was synonymous with the success of West Coast rappers, including Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur.

However, the label declined in the late 1990s following the imprisonment of Suge and Tupac's death.

After filing for bankruptcy and changing hands multiple times, Snoop purchased the record label in 2022.

One of the founders of Death Row Records, Suge, recently discussed the current situation of the label in the podcast The Art of Dialogue via a prison phone call. The 59-year-old record executive is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence.

“What you buy? Shut me up. Show me where y’all paid the money to buy it. Show me the paperwork—show me what you own,” Suge questioned Snoop’s ownership of the record label.

Suge argued that Death Row Records was much more successful when he owned the label. “When I put out Tha Dogg Pound, they sold records. You put out Tha Dogg Pound, they sold nothing—it flopped,” he said.

Suge also said Snoop should put his ego aside for the greater good of hip-hop. “One person or three or four people is not bigger than hip-hop. We should be trying to figure out how to make hip-hop better. Everybody’s destroying hip-hop; you guys are making it worse,” he pleaded.

Since the late 90s, Suge and Snoop have been involved in a long-running feud with Snoop being a vocal critic of Suge following the death of Tupac.