Snoop Dogg is seeking to have a $100 million lawsuit filed against him and Death Row Records thrown out of court. The legal action comes from Lydia Harris, the ex-wife of incarcerated Death Row co-founder Michael “Harry-O” Harris, who claims she played a key role in launching the legendary West Coast label but was later cut out of its profits.
Lydia Harris Demands Justice for Alleged 1989 Investment
Lydia Harris alleges she invested $1.5 million in Death Row Records in 1989, helping establish the powerhouse label that would become synonymous with hip-hop icons like Dr. Dre, 2Pac, and Snoop Dogg. Despite a 2005 legal victory awarding her $107 million, she claims a network of music industry giants—including Snoop, Suge Knight, Interscope Records, Time Warner, and Universal Music Group—conspired to block her from receiving her payout.
Now, Harris is pushing for a full financial accounting of Death Row’s assets, along with punitive damages and compensation for what she says she’s rightfully owed.
Snoop Dogg Fires Back: “Bad Faith Litigant”
In response, Snoop has filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that Harris’s claims fall well outside the statute of limitations. His legal team also accused Harris of acting in bad faith, describing her as a litigant who engaged in years of harassment in California before shifting her case to Texas in an attempt to continue legal proceedings.
As of now, the court has not ruled on Snoop’s dismissal motion. Other parties named in the lawsuit—including Interscope, Time Warner, and UMG—have yet to issue public statements.
Suge Knight Questions Snoop Dogg’s Ownership of Death Row
Adding more drama to the situation, Suge Knight, who is currently serving a prison sentence, recently questioned the legitimacy of Snoop’s acquisition of Death Row. In an interview with The Art of Dialogue, Knight didn’t hold back:
“Snoop, you said I’m mad because you bought Death Row? What’d you buy? Show me the paperwork. Show me what you own.”
Knight also criticized Snoop’s handling of the brand:
“You going backwards. You tryna create something that Suge Knight created. But instead of going big, you disappointing the world by making everything flops.”
Snoop Dogg, who took control of Death Row Records in 2022, has been working to rebrand the label for a new era, releasing NFTs, merch, and streaming-era remasters of its iconic catalog.
