News of January 15, 1998
Snoop Doggy Dogg Wants to Leave Death Row: "Tupac Is Dead"
In January 1998, Snoop Doggy Dogg announced his departure from Death Row. Tupac's death was one of the reasons he cited.
On January 15, 1998, MTV News reported that Snoop Doggy Dogg wanted to leave Death Row Records. In an exclusive interview with Mauricio Minotta of the local newspaper “Long Beach Press-Telegram”, he had said he would leave the label this year.
Three Reasons, One of Them Tupac
Snoop told the newspaper that he saw his life in danger if he stayed with Death Row. There was nothing left at the label: label head Suge Knight was in prison, Dr. Dre had left, and Tupac was dead. From this, he gathered that only death, prison or irrelevance remained for him. Snoop had made Death Row a powerhouse in the music industry together with Dre and Tupac, as MTV described it.
Criticism of the Business
He also accused the label of being unable to run a business. Projects such as a track with Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and planned work with Warren G had been poorly managed. His next album, Corleone’s Revenge, was scheduled to be released on his own label, Dogg House Records. When asked by MTV, Death Row would confirm neither details regarding Snoop’s contract nor his statements.