Death Row Records 30 Year Anniversary Celebrated By Cassette Reissue
Four influential Hip Hop albums from Death Row Records have limited-edition reissues in the coming months.
Founded in 1991 by Marion ‘Suge’ Knight and former NWA member Dr. Dre, Death Row Records undoubtedly became the leading label in Hip Hop. Alongside becoming infamous, the label introduced the world to artists like Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur and Nate Dogg. In addition to bringing attention to the talented artists, Death Row was making over $100 million a year.
To celebrate Death Row Records 30th anniversary, cassette retailer Tapehead City are reissuing four iconic albums from the label. The news comes in the same month as cassette inventor Lou Ottens’s death. The chosen albums are; Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, Tupac’s All Eyez On Me, and his follow-up Makaveli The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. Officially licensed by Death Row Records, the cassettes come presented uniquely and that match the original artwor. Fans can buy The Chronic in three different colors; chronic green, up in smoke tint and also white and blue. Tupac’s All Eyez On Me will come in translucent red and his Makaveli album pressed in gold.
The Impact Of Death Row Records 30 Years On
Although Death Row Records filed for bankruptcy in 2006 and sold at auction for $24m, their legacy remains. A statement released from a representative from the label to Tapehead City certainly recognizes that very legacy and impact. “Death Row Records beams in Hip Hop history as much more than music label. Death Row was a movement, Hip Hop revolution, factory for greatness, and one of the first exemplifications of black power within the business of rap.”
In addition, the statement also highlighted how, above all, the selected albums influenced the music world we now know today. “Without Death Row, we would never hear the aqua-flow of Snoop Dogg or the genius of Eminem. We would be deprived of Cali’s finest production – from Dr. Dre to DJ Pooh. Our music palettes would be lesser for having never heard The Don Killuminati: 7 Day Theory or either of the Chronic albums. If Death Row had never been, Hip Hop would have never experienced the unforgettable era of West Coast dominance.”
Importantly, the cassettes will start shipping on April 20th, which is also the day the world celebrates the “chronic”.