SPIN
October 1997

exposure

So Sue Me

The hardest working man in show business may be Suge Knight's lawyer.

From cofounder Suge Knight's string of assault and weapons charges to Snoop Doggy Dogg's murder case, the hip-hop giant known as Death Row Records has been almost as famous for its run-ins with the law as it has been for its multiplatinum records. But now, with Knight doing time for violating probation, and the IRS and the DEA involved in a federal grand jury investigation into the label's business dealings, Death Row looks more like a prime suspect for 1-800-Lawsuit. In the last year alone, recording artists and others have filed civil suits seeking more than $300 million in damages from the label, with more sure to come. Here's a breakdown of some of the recent complaints.

Plaintiffs: Afeni Shakur (Tupac's mother) and Richard S. Fischbein, administrators of Tupac Shakur's estate
Damages sought: $150 million
Allegations: Complaint charges that--in an attempt to avoid paying Shakur's estate the money it's due under a handwritten deal signed by Tupac in 1995--Death Row made it look as though Shakur owed the label millions against unrecouped advances. These "fictitious expenses" allegedly include $175,000 in rent for an apartment and a house Shakur never lived in, $57,000 for another performer's Chevy Suburban, and $115,000 for jewelry Knight had reportedly given to Tupac as a gift. In addition, Shakur's estate claims it owns all rights to 152 unreleased songs by Tupac--worth an estimated $100 million--and that Death Row has refused to hand over the master recordings.
Death Row's Response: None at press time.
Status: Two sides in settlement talks.

Plaintiff: Johnny Jackson
Damages sought: Estimated $200,000
Allegations: Claims Death Row has stiffed him on payments for production, writing, and performance work on the Tupac albums, including All Eyez On Me and the Gridlock'd soundtrack. Says Death Row agreed to pay him advances of $10,000 for each song, plus a three percent royalty rate, and asserts Death Row often "used strong arm tactics, including threats of actual physical violence, to 'convince' artists to 'waive' their rights to be compensated."
Death Row's Response: General denial of all allegations.
Status: Two sides in settlement talks.

Plaintiff: Roderick Lockett
Damages sought: Unspecified--plaintiff will likely ask for in excess of $10 million.
Allegations: Charges that he "suffered life-threatening injuries" after Knight and some 25 "bodyguards, bouncers, and/or gang members" beat him up for no apparent reason at a 1993 Dr. Dre/Snoop Doggy Dogg concert. Injuries were so severe, claims the suit, that he still requires "the services of doctors and hospitals... including drugs, medicine, and X-rays."
Death Row's Response: General denial of all allegations.
Status: December trial date set.

Plaintiffs: Dick Griffey and Tracy L. Curry
Damages sought: $150 million
Allegations: Claim they're part owners of Death Row, saying the label is a continuation of the recording company the two founded with Knight and Andre Young (aka Dr. Dre) in 1991. Charge that, after financing all the production costs for Dre's multiplatinum The Chronic in 1992, were wrongly cut out when Knight and Dre secretly incorporated Death Row a year later. Suit also says that Death Row Inc.'s founders made a "fraudulent transfer" of assets to the new label, including "rights to exploit the works of artists" such as Snoop Doggy Dogg and Kurrupt and Daz (aka Tha Dogg Pound), all of whom were allegedly signed under the original venture.
Death Row's Response: General denial of all allegations.
Status: December trial date set.

Plaintiff: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Damages sought: $1.6 million
Allegations: Claims Knight and his lawyer David Kenner racked up $1.6 million in unpaid charges for charter flights to Las Vegas, limo rides, and bills at hotels in Beverly Hills and Vegas. Suit charges that Death Row gave 80-odd "Does" (as in John) "apparent authority" to use Knight's and Kenner's Platinum and Gold cards. Death Row's Response: Defendants deny responsibility for any of the credit charges.
Status: Hearing is set for mid-November.

Plaintiff: Barbara Warren
Damages sought: $69,074.01
Allegations: In the spring of 1994, Warren says she made an oral agreement with Death Row "to provide costuming, styling, wardrobe, and shopping services" for such acts as Snoop Doggy Dogg, Tupac Shakur, and Tha Dogg Pound. By 1996, Warren says she was owed nearly $70,000 for work and expenses, which Death Row refused to pay.