Death Row's Chief Engineer Talk About: Suge Knight, Dre Leaving Death Row & More

[sms130]

Yeah, some of it wasn't true according to those who were around (at that time) and I believe certain parts were not true too. I gotta get that book again. I have the book on Dr. Dre.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

I agree that Ronin Ro's book does have some inconsistencies, but there's still a lot of interesting information in it, much of which did end up being true.  But there was a lot of stuff that was basically jacked from the Welcome to Death Row DVD too (certain word-for-word quotes come to mind), which I thought was kind of cheesy.

I still don't think it was OFTB.  Someone else said here that Flipside confirmed that they were cool with Dre while on Death Row (and remember that on that MTV special, Bustop was even talking about Dre's shift in attitude toward the label, and they'd likely have been with Death Row for at least a year or so to really see the difference).  The story about Dre being unhappy about some group being signed was supposedly in 1995, and remember that OFTB was already with Death Row in 1994 and recording music.

Dre was pissed with Hammer being signed and being asked to produce his album because even if Death Row had the capability of making almost anyone into a star, the fact of the matter was that Hammer was already viewed as being wack and having fallen off.  Dre worked on-and-off as it is, and it would have been a waste of his time and talent to try to re-create Hammer, who had already fucked up on his own and blown an eight-figure fortune and fallen into bankruptcy.  But Suge and Hammer were cool from before, so Suge put his hand out to him.

While Suge was taking over the company more than necessary, it just doesn't seem like Dre was doing anything about it.  Not that he needed to punk Suge or anything, but I don't know if Dre was ever sitting down with Suge and telling him about his qualms with how the company was being run.  Even a lot of the interviews he did before were saying how "nothing was being done," almost like he expected things to change on their own or for someone else to initiate it.  It just seems like Dre was too scared to do anything, then he retreated to his own home studio.  I really don't think that anyone on Death Row would have hated on him for wanting to work productively and make the best music possible, which is what generated money -- most of the shit that they talked about him was just him not being in the studio.  I don't think anyone cared about Dre not participating in beatdowns, which aren't what put millions of dollars into their accounts.

Does anyone know when Suge signed Six Feet Deep?  Maybe it was them, since they were around Death Row in 1995-1996.

[adi760]

Dre doesnt' have character and he's not too confident. Watch any video from 90's with him and another rapper with the same fame. He's always hidding - first with Eazy, then with Suge and Snoop (I saw some video from a Death Row party and Dre didn't know what to say to camera, Suge easily talked some bullshit and Snoop was high ), then with 2Pac (making of California Love and watch who has more confidence). Then Aftermatch and background of Up In Smoke Tour - Snoop on first plan and Dre still hiddin'.

[Jimmy H.]

I don't think it's really much of a secret that Dre is a bit of a introvert and recluse but I think it sort of sets him apart from the Puffys and Kanyes. 

[Don Jacob]

you got to remember Dre's life had change during this time. He was a different person after he was released from jail. He wanted to be more responsible with his life and his lable. him being jailed i think was his life's wake up call. as Dre moved in a more positive/business direction, his baby (deathrow) had turned more and more street/irresponsible....why would anyone want to stick around for that....2pac knew this but by then it was too late. Dre was smart and left, Snoop was smart and left, Daz was smart and left, and so on and so on...

[TraceOneInfinite]

Dre doesnt' have character and he's not too confident. Watch any video from 90's with him and another rapper with the same fame. He's always hidding - first with Eazy, then with Suge and Snoop (I saw some video from a Death Row party and Dre didn't know what to say to camera, Suge easily talked some bullshit and Snoop was high ), then with 2Pac (making of California Love and watch who has more confidence). Then Aftermatch and background of Up In Smoke Tour - Snoop on first plan and Dre still hiddin'.

Wrong.  Watch "Express Yourself" with NWA, Dre clearly shines and that was one of their biggest singles.

Dre identifies himself as a producer not a rapper, so he's fine with playing the background, but don't label that as a negative that is actually a positive in Dre's favor.  It's certainly not a case of him being "outshined".  It's more a case of him playing the role of mentor and letting the other artist catch some shine but never has Dre not came in full effect

[V2DHeart]

Daz left because he thought he could get more money for less work (although granted, he was given a heavy workload at Death Row) but the man was a coward. He would stay in his hotel room at night whenever Tha Row went out to promote the material that would later appear on Chronic 2000

[TraceOneInfinite]

E

Daz left because he thought he could get more money for less work (although granted, he was given a heavy workload at Death Row) but the man was a coward. He would stay in his hotel room at night whenever Tha Row went out to promote the material that would later appear on Chronic 2000

Id be hiding out in my hotel too if I were Daz.. no way I'm promotin that trash album after the quality he had put out for years