The Business of Music

[Quadruple OG]

I am posting this because certain members of this forum have their heads so far up their asses they don't see what really happens behind the scenes, and are quick to diss Suge as a businessman.  First thing, Suge knows what the fuck he's doing.  He went to college and learned the x's and o's of business straight from the books.  Dre, from what I know, learned it second hand from Eazy, as did Snoop from Master P and Suge.  When Dre was with Death Row, business was run 50-50: Dre was in charge of music, Suge in charge of business end.  When Dre left, he thought he could handle doing everything, which he was wrong.  That's why Aftermath didn't do shit until Eminem came along.  If Dre knew what he was doing at the time, Aftermath would have been huge, with Eve and King Tee, and though I'm not a big fan of Hittman, but he could have blown up had he been on a single from 2001.  Dre learned the hard way how much he needs to know to be successful.  Snoop is still learning the business practice.  For example, if Snoop was more educated on business, I'd doubt we'd have seen a Doggy's Angels album.  It's rare that an executive would drop an album from a group that nobody east of the Mississippi would have heard of (with the exception of Dogghouse fans).  On the east, Doggy's Angels wasn't played on the radio, very little video airplay.  Snoop probably lost money with that release.  He should have done a much better job promoting Bad Azz's album, because IMO it's the only quality Dogghouse album that's been released.  Though Priority was inolved with the release, Snoop should have either pushed the release date until the fall of this year, or promoted it more so it could push units.  Snoop has yet to impress me from a business aspect.  So what he's built a roster with a lot of talent?  What has he done with his roster (not including Tha Eastsidaz and Mr. "I want to be like George Clinton" Kokane) in the 2 years of Dogghouse/Doggystyle's existence?  A song here or there?  Snoop should also realize that R&B moves a lot of units, generally more than rap music, but he is very limited with R&B, because of Butch Cassidy and Latoya Williams.

Now, let's go back to Suge Knight.  Why did he release Dead Man Walkin and 2002?  For some fast $.  And Snoop's Greatest Hits?  That was Priority wanting to make money off of Snoop once again.  Now that Suge is out, there will most likely be no more Death Row era Snoop released.  In the 2 months that Suge has been out, he has strengthened the R&B branch of Tha Row with Ray J (an artist that is established, and is pushing units with that "Wait a minute", which is played in clubs, though I don't like his music and his all-of-a-sudden gangsta image either) and Devante (he's been around the music industry for a while and has established himself as a tight producer, who also brought the mainstream Timbaland, Missy Elliot, and others).  In addition, Death Row UK was made official a couple of days ago, recognizing that people are still down with Tha Row in Europe, and willing to spend money on the older albums.  In addition, Suge has been signing local talent and building up his roster.  From what I've heard about a couple of artists, is that they have a lot of skill.  Around the time Snoop's Greatest Hits will be released, I wouldn't be shocked if you see all the changes made by Tha Row.  Not sure about Swoop G and Top Dogg, since they are supposedly in jail, but I'm pretty sure the other "Artists in Devlopment" will be dropped and replaced with new talent that truely deserve that title.  Now many people believe that it was Dre that brought in a lot of the talent, which I believe as well, but Suge has been showing his eye for talent and will show in the years ahead.

I know the people that are more obsessed with SNoop than they should be are going to hate on this like never before, this isn't about the music, it's about the business side.  Suge, in 2 months out of jail, has made more moves to attempt to revive a struggling business than Snoop has to improve his label in 2 years.  We'll have to wait and see what happens within the next year/year and a half to see which approach pays off.

[Don Jacob]

you're not mellow man

[Hittman]

Amen To That.

[Hittman]

BTW, I Meant Amen To What Mack 11 Wrote, Not What BigJake Posted.

[SugeFight]

Why is Mack 11 all of a sudden on Suge's pee-pee.  Before I even read the post Id knew itd be another chance for him to get in Suge's ass.  

[2real]

Good post Mack 11 it's to many blind heads that post here. If you give Suge and DR any type of credit you are automaticly labeled as a DR dick rida. But yet if anyone disagree with anything Snoop or Dre does wrong all hell breaks lose. Something is really wrong with that picture.

[Don Jacob]

blind heads....wow i didn't know you had to embrase the new deathrow to be considered a "real" head, thanks for showing up the light "common"

[Bleech]

Man, ya'll diss too much  
But seriously, I think Mack 11 brought up SOME good points, but what made Death Row back in the days was their unique sound.  Dr. Dre, Daz, Warren and other Row producers and talent totally reinvented the entire hip hop genre.  Most of you are probably too young too remember, but after the Chronic dropped, everyone in the industry was trying to cop the sound; hell, even Madonna wanted a Dre track.  Suge is nothing more than a good shakedown artist, and the only way he could ever be on top again is to be in the exact same scenario: catch a up-and-coming, cutting edge producer and let him handle the talent.  The odds of this are slim, but if he can reclaim his throne, then I'll give him credit.  Otherwise, Tha Row will be totally gone in a few years.

[TheSheriff]

Amen to Mack11.

I'm not sure about Suge's private life, and how he dealt with his artists...But if he can revive the Row, much love...What he oughta be thinking is "Only God Can Judge Me" type shit...

You know, if Crooked I or ATL drop, I'll buy them, and be happy to say "They Death Row Records released...", in the same way I bought Doggy's Angels when I was over at my Unc's in Phile, and I liked it, but no-one else did, I still bumped it, ya know?

Let's stop victimizing "wack" labels, let's start victimizing WACK artists, lol.

Increase the peace...One!

[Mr_Loc]

I agree with Mack 11. I've been really impressed with Suge Knight since he got out of jail, no joke.

Okay, death row has traditionally been THE gangsta rap label, they had some r&b talent but didnt use it well (eg Danny Boy). Now gangsta rap is tired, its not making money unless its fake watered-down shit ala Ja Rule, Jay Z etc. Even Dre and Snoop have a more 'friendly' sound, thus keeping their old fans and attracting new ones.

So suge wants to do some R&B. he signs a lot of young cats and then signs Devante. thats a great business move. I personally dont really like R&B but i have to admit its whats hot right now.

on top of that you still have some awesome street rappers on that label. Above The Law are west coast G-Funk pioneers. They are underground legends. Then you have possibly the best young rapper out with Crooked I. and now apparently suge has signed some other underground cats. so hes still keeping it street.

even tho ive hated on them in the past i'll be the first to admit that death row are on the right path and i wish them luck. If they can continue handling their business and leaving the bullshit aside they will succeed.

[Lil Jay]

IF IT WASNT FOR THAROW.COM & THE INTERNET IN GENERAL "DEATH ROW RECORDS" AS A LABEL WOULD HAVE BEEN FINISHED YEARS AGO. THAT WEBSITE HAS KEPT THE LABEL GOING THRU RUMORS & CONTROVERSY, BASICALLY REPRESENTING MORE THAN THE ARTISTS THEMSELVES.

quote from Nino Brown