American rapper Snoop Dogg has made a name for himself in the music industry, selling over 23 million albums and appearing in numerous films. He’s also become an entrepreneur and media personality.
The hip-hop icon has partnered with former Apple executive Larry Jackson to release new solo albums and redistribute the Death Row Records catalog. Now he’s brought it back to streaming for the first time since he acquired it last year.
Doggystyle
Several years after Death Row’s heyday, the label’s catalog was removed from streaming services. But it has now returned to TikTok via SoundOn, the music distribution and promotion service that the ByteDance-owned app launched in 2022.
The partnership is a rare one, as the Death Row catalog has never been available on SoundOn before. The re-release will also be available exclusively through TikTok for a week.
The Doggystyle rapper acquired the Death Row catalog last year and pulled it from streaming services, but it’s now making its return to platforms thanks to a new partnership with SoundOn. Fans will now be able to hear the iconic catalog, including Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle and 2Pac’s All Eyez On Me.
All Eyez On Me
Death Row Records became one of the most influential labels in hip-hop history, defining West Coast rap with its uncompromising attitude and game-changing G-funk sound. Founded in 1991, the label produced and distributed some of the greatest albums of the ’90s, including Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, 2Pac’s All Eyez On Me and Snoop Dogg‘s Doggystyle.
But the label was a troubled one, embroiled in controversies, lawsuits and violence. During its golden age, the label was helmed by Suge Knight.
When Snoop Dogg acquired the Death Row catalogue last year, he pulled it from streaming services. However, he recently announced that he’s teaming up with TikTok’s music arm, SoundOn. The rapper will be bringing the Death Row catalog to TikTok as part of an exclusive welcome party that will run throughout the week.
The Doggfather
Snoop Dogg acquired Death Row in February, intending to revive the label after it began to decline. He has plans to use blockchain technology to empower artists and fans.
It’s a bold claim, but Snoop claims that the technology can “revolutionize” the music industry in his favor. He believes that by using blockchain, he can empower artists and fans to gain more control over their music.
The Doggfather, Snoop Dogg’s second album, came out in 1996 amid a turbulent time for the rap industry. Dre had left Death Row following a contractual dispute and Snoop’s label-mate Tupac Shakur was killed.
Despite these difficulties, Tha Doggfather was a success, selling two million copies and reaching number one on the Billboard 200. The album’s lyrics are less violent and controversial than Doggystyle, which he had released a year earlier.
Da Game Is To Be Sold
After Snoop Dogg became the owner of Death Row Records last year, he decided to remove the label’s catalog from streaming platforms. However, he recently signed a deal with former Apple executive Larry Jackson and will now release more solo albums as well as bring the label’s catalog back to streaming.
With this announcement, fans can expect to see a lot of music from death row’s catalogue come to TikTok and SoundOn. This includes songs from Doggystyle, Tha Doggfather and more!
Despite receiving mixed reviews, Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told is a solid album that proves Snoop Dogg can still make great music. Its production is a little more watered down than he’s ever made but his smooth G-funk flow still holds up well. The album also features a number of great Southern rappers that he had never worked with before.
Missionary
Snoop Dogg has officially brought death row’s catalogue back to streaming after acquiring the label last year and pulling it from streaming services. He did this to make sure the artists received their fair share of royalties.
The music that he’s bringing to streaming includes albums from Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Dr. Dre, the Dogg Pound and many others.
As Billboard reported, Snoop Dogg is working with a new company that specializes in one-stop media. This includes music, film and podcasts.
Snoop partnered with gamma, a media company owned by music veteran Larry Jackson. They’re planning to release two more solo albums by Snoop Dogg as well as a few Death Row Records projects in the near future.
