New Death Row Records Head Discusses Dr. Dre Lawsuit, Label’s Future

[yourdead]

In January 2009, a company called WIDEawake bought Death Row Records out of bankruptcy, and over the past year has tried to rehabilitate a music label that became as famous for thuggish business dealings as for its West Coast rap hits. So it’s not good news that Dr. Dre, an architect of the Death Row sound and formerly one of its biggest stars, sued the label last week for unpaid royalties. The rapper and producer claims the label hasn’t paid residuals on his platinum-selling album “The Chronic” since he left in 1996, and that the new Death Row issued an updated version (”The Chronic Re-Lit”) and a greatest hits collection without his permission.

Asked about the lawsuit, Death Row’s new president, John Payne, said, “I can’t speak on any litigation.” But Payne added that “there’s a roomful of boxes with contracts” and he and the label’s new owners are still sorting out legal agreements dating back nearly two decades.

Payne was asked if the lawsuit was a setback, given that artists may already have apprehensions about working with Death Row because of its past problems. “Let’s not confuse Death Row with WIDEawake Death Row,” he said.

The old Death Row, co-founded and run for many years by Marion “Suge” Knight, became known for its violent atmosphere. Rapper Snoop Dogg stood trial for murder during his time on the label and another Death Row artist, Tupac Shakur, was shot and killed in 1996. Knight himself went to jail in 1997 for parole violation.

“There are a lot of skeletons in the closet,” said Payne, a veteran music producer and engineer who worked at Death Row in the early days. Still, he believes the label is in a good place now “because we’re able to put out records without drama.” So far, WIDEawake Death Row Entertainment has mined the label’s back catalog, releasing the Dr. Dre records and a box set. An album of unreleased material by Danny Boy is slated for April.

But Payne plans to sign new artists who are “creative or original,” in his words. “We don’t need another Tupac,” he said. “He’s irreplaceable.”

[Okka]

Is that dude John Payne?

[BiggBoogaBiff]

But Payne plans to sign new artists who are “creative or original,” in his words. “We don’t need another Tupac,” he said. “He’s irreplaceable.”

bout time they got on that shit

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Is that dude John Payne?

That sure is John Payne... and he sure has gotten older and fatter since the Welcome to Death Row DVD.

[TRG]

she's rank

[jones5099]

what a bullshit article.  the only thing he "discussed" about the Dre lawsuit was that he couldn't discuss it.

[BiggBoogaBiff]

what a bullshit article.  the only thing he "discussed" about the Dre lawsuit was that he couldn't discuss it.

exactly, it's like they think Dr. Dre is an interview winner

[DTG Entertainment]

what a bullshit article.  the only thing he "discussed" about the Dre lawsuit was that he couldn't discuss it.

exactly, it's like they think Dr. Dre is an interview winner

Payne isn't even the boss of WIDEawake. Who they need to be interviewing is Robert Thompson or Ronald Ovenden.

[DTG Entertainment]

what a bullshit article.  the only thing he "discussed" about the Dre lawsuit was that he couldn't discuss it.

exactly, it's like they think Dr. Dre is an interview winner

Payne isn't even the boss of WIDEawake. Who they need to be interviewing is Robert Thompson or Ronald Ovenden.

WideAwake just needs better PR and AnR's

They have none. Lol. I offered my services once as a Death Row head. Lol. They declined.

[NewYork Pope]

The lawsuit clearly has to do with the -rerelease of The Chronic Re-lit.

[DTG Entertainment]

Payne isn't even the boss of WIDEawake. Who they need to be interviewing is Robert Thompson or Ronald Ovenden.

maybe W.A. just doesn't care.  maybe they think it's not time yet.  i mean, there's two sides to every story.  but, if these were white folks with white artist, W.A. WOULDN'T even be having these PR problems.

Lol. White people can do black aritsts properly, but all the wrong people got involved when it came to WIDEawake. It's just a bunch of asshats who know nothing.

[DTG Entertainment]

Payne isn't even the boss of WIDEawake. Who they need to be interviewing is Robert Thompson or Ronald Ovenden.

maybe W.A. just doesn't care.  maybe they think it's not time yet.  i mean, there's two sides to every story.  but, if these were white folks with white artist, W.A. WOULDN'T even be having these PR problems.

Lol. White people can do black aritsts properly, but all the wrong people got involved when it came to WIDEawake. It's just a bunch of asshats who know nothing.

it can't be that bad baby

Daz got offered a 15 K contract to tour, finish beats, and act as a front man for the new Death Row Records by Lara Lavi....it's that bad. Payne and the rest of these cats ain't any better than her.

[BiggBoogaBiff]

Payne isn't even the boss of WIDEawake. Who they need to be interviewing is Robert Thompson or Ronald Ovenden.

maybe W.A. just doesn't care.  maybe they think it's not time yet.  i mean, there's two sides to every story.  but, if these were white folks with white artist, W.A. WOULDN'T even be having these PR problems.

Lol. White people can do black aritsts properly, but all the wrong people got involved when it came to WIDEawake. It's just a bunch of asshats who know nothing.

it can't be that bad baby

Daz got offered a 15 K contract to tour, finish beats, and act as a front man for the new Death Row Records by Lara Lavi....it's that bad. Payne and the rest of these cats ain't any better than her.

but it's Daz's old work, it's ALL Daz's promo, it's all Daz's shine all the time.  What tha fuck did Daz expect.  What if Suge gave him everything with all of his money.  15K would just b a fat ass brunch ticket for Daz to release his OLD shit for the NEW labels new shit.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

but it's Daz's old work, it's ALL Daz's promo, it's all Daz's shine all the time.  What tha fuck did Daz expect.  What if Suge gave him everything with all of his money.  15K would just b a fat ass brunch ticket for Daz to release his OLD shit for the NEW labels new shit.

And at the same time, I'm sure that Daz would still get some points for his old stuff that would eventually get released.  The reality of the matter is that while Daz feels he should get more, they are talking about material anywhere between 10-18 years old which isn't exactly in high demand.  It's reasonable for him getting some decent exposure again for basically just re-touching up some unreleased stuff and promoting it a bit, which would only help the sales of his own Death Row material.  It's not like he's getting paid for his YouTube videos that he posts up.

[Dre-Day]

Payne isn't even the boss of WIDEawake. Who they need to be interviewing is Robert Thompson or Ronald Ovenden.

maybe W.A. just doesn't care.  maybe they think it's not time yet.  i mean, there's two sides to every story.  but, if these were white folks with white artist, W.A. WOULDN'T even be having these PR problems.

Lol. White people can do black aritsts properly, but all the wrong people got involved when it came to WIDEawake. It's just a bunch of asshats who know nothing.

remember that they said that they were going to listen to 'the' fans?