New York-based music company Reservoir Media has signed new publishing management deals with superstar rapper Snoop Dogg and Death Row Records.
The company says the deals include domestic release of Snoop’s entire hit catalog and future works, as well as the publishing catalog of Snoop’s Death Row Records.
Snoop Dogg acquired the legendary Death Row brand from MNRK Music Group in 2022 and subsequently signed a deal to purchase the label’s record catalog.
He then removed the Death Row catalog from streaming services and returned it to the DSPs in February last year, with TikTok receiving it exclusively for the first week.
Death Row Records produced and distributed legendary albums, including Dr. Dre’s The ChronicleSnoop Dogg’s From behindand 2Pac All Eyez On Me.
In 2023, after taking over the label, Snoop founded a new Publishing business under the Death Row umbrella and represents several songwriters within the Death Row family.
Reservoir says its new agreement with Death Row’s publishing arm includes rights to hits such as Hail Mary by Makaveli, I’m not mad at you by 2Pac and Imagine I roll by 2Pac and many others.
“I am so honored to have them as a partner and am excited about all the great things to come with the catalog and new music projects.”
Snoop Dogg
Upon signing the deal, Snoop said: “I’m so honored to have them as a partner and look forward to all the great things to come with the catalog and new music projects. 2024 and beyond 🔥🙏🏾🐾”
“Legendary artists only need one name. Snoop is one of those guys. From music to brands to television and film, his acumen represents excellence.”
Donna Caseine, Reservoir
Donna Caseine, Executive Vice President and Global Creative Director at Reservoir, said: “Legendary artists only need one name. Snoop is one of those people. From music to brands to television and film, his acumen represents excellence.”
“He has been a pillar of hip-hop music and pop culture for the past three decades, helping to place Death Row Records in the history books of music. It is an honor to support Snoop’s vision and work with the Death Row family along with Jaslin Levy, Sabriya Dublin, Sara Ramaker and their entire team.”
Photo credit: Becky Yee
“Being in business with Snoop is an exciting opportunity to support his legendary catalog and leverage his tremendous fame to further embed his music in mainstream media.”
Golnar Khosrowshahi, reservoir
Golnar Khosrowshahi, Founder and CEO of Reservoir, said: “Collaborating with Snoop is an exciting opportunity to support his legendary catalog and leverage his tremendous fame to further embed his music in mainstream media.”
Khosrowshahi added, “This deal is also a unique moment to continue the legacy of an important and valuable brand like Death Row. Snoop has come full circle with Death Row and demonstrates his continued commitment to upholding the brand’s rich history – something Reservoir has proven to be a core value and area of expertise across our entire company.”
Born Calvin Broadus Jr., Snoop Dogg’s career dates back to 1992, when he first appeared as a guest artist on Dr. Dre’s debut single. Deep cover, before he released his now legendary debut album, From behind1993 via Death Row Records.
With hit singles What is my name? And Gin and juiceDoggystyle was certified 4x platinum the following year.
So far, Snoop has released a total of 19 solo albums, his twentieth album, missionaryproduced by Dr. Dre, in progress. His long list of successful collaborations includes Young, Wild & Free with Wiz Khalifa feat. Bruno Mars, The next episode with Dr Dre, California Girls with Katy Perry, PIMP with 50 cents, and Wobbling with Jason Derulo and many others.
His own single Drop it like it’s hot topped several Billboard charts, including the Hot 100, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, and was ultimately named the most popular rap song of the decade by Billboard in 2009.
Reservoir’s deals with Snoop Dogg and Death Row are the latest in a series of deals for the music rights company. Last month, Reservoir acquired publishing rights to the catalog of the late songwriter and guitarist Billy Strange.
Other acquisitions last year include the producer rights and the publishing catalogue of 2Pac producer Big D Evansthe works of the Latin hitmaker Rudy Perezand the catalog of the Grammy-nominated hip-hop producer Mannie Fresh.
Other notable acquisitions include the catalogues of rock artists GregKihnMembers of the R&B group Thespinnersaxophonist SonnyRollinsand songwriter LouisGreat.
Reservoir’s continued investment in music catalogs has contributed to its strong financial performance. In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, the company reported 8% Sales increase compared to the previous year to 34.3 million US dollarsRevenues from publishing amounted to 24 million US dollars of the total number, saw a 15% Increase year over year due to catalog acquisitions and increased streaming revenues.
In an investor fact sheet published earlier this year, Reservoir stated that it had almost 1 billion US dollars in catalogue purchases and contract signings since its market launch in 2007.
