Snoop Dogg has reportedly acquired Death Row Records from MNRK Music Group. According to TMZ, MNRK Music Group is controlled by private equity funds managed by leading global investment firm Blackstone.
According to Variety, terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but the acquisition of the Death Row brand is the first part of the deal, which will also see Snoop acquiring the rights to his music and unspecified other artists. The deal is expected to close in the coming weeks.
Snoop released a statement, saying, “I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value.”
He added, “It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members. I’m looking forward to building the next chapter of Death Row Records.”
SNOOP DOGG SUED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
In other news, Snoop Dogg has been accused of sexual assault. According to TMZ, a woman has claimed that Snoop forced oral sex on her back in 2013. The woman, who is identified as Jane Doe, and is a model and dancer, claimed that on May 29th, 2013, she attended one of Snoop's shows in Anaheim, California. After the show, the woman says Bishop Don Juan offered her a ride home. She said that she fell asleep in the car and when she woke up, she found that they had arrived at Bishop's home.
The lawsuit said, “Plaintiff was exhausted and fell asleep at Bishop's home.” She said she awoke at 4 AM the next morning and Bishop “removed his penis from his pants and forced his penis in Plaintiff's face,” and “repeatedly shoved his penis into Plaintiff's mouth.”
She says in the suit, Bishop “discriminated against and harassed Plaintiff because of Plaintiff's sex and gender.”
She said that Bishop gave her a dress to put on so they could go to Snoop's studio saying, “I want to see if he will make you the weather girl” — for a television show.
The woman claimed that once she got to Snoop's, she had a stomachache, so she went to the bathroom. She claims that while she was on the toilet, Snoop walked in, “standing with his crotch in Plaintiff's face, while Plaintiff was defecating on the toilet.” She says he then forced oral sex on her.
The woman claims that afterwards, Bishop asked her to take a picture with Snoop. She said she was scared and took the picture. She also said that Snoop wouldn't hire her because she “refused to willingly and enthusiastically give oral sex.”
SNOOP DENIES THE ALLEGATIONS
Snoop denies the allegations, posting an image on his Instagram, calling the woman a “golddigger.” His team added that the story is a lie and the woman is looking for a payday.
The woman has demanded $10 million but the demand was rejected. Both Snoop and Bishop Don Juan were sued for unspecified damages.