sign in sign up
<<
Home , Arabian Prince, Bad Azz (rapper), CPO (group), Death Row Records, Dick Griffey, Interscope Records

The New Kings of Hip-Hop

Death Row Records

“You are now about to witness the strength of street

knowledge.”

—N.W.A.

Contents

Letter from the Director ...... 4

Mandate ...... 5

Background ...... 7

Topics for Discussion ...... 10

East Coast vs. West Coast ...... 10

Internal Struggles...... 11

Turmoil in ...... 12

Positions ...... 14

Letter from the Director

Dear Delegates,

Welcome to WUMUNS XII! I am a part of the class of 2022 here at Washington University in St. Louis, and I’ll be serving as your director. Though I haven’t officially declared a major yet, I’m planning on double majoring in political science and finance. I’ve been involved with Model UN since my freshman year of high school, and I have been an active participant ever since. I am also involved with the Roosevelt Institute and a couple of other clubs and organizations on campus. Apropos of Model UN, I have had a lot of experience. I participated in more than ten conferences in high school and various competitions in college. Outside of MUN and school, I love playing and watching basketball, listening to music, and just having a good time. I am very excited for this committee, as I’ve been contemplating running this simulation, , for a couple years now. Though it may not be a typical MUN committee, I believe it can provide an excellent vehicle for debate, and we will cover interesting topics, discuss music, and, hopefully, have some fun. I am very much looking forward to meeting all of you and having a great weekend of debate.

Sincerely,

Harrison Arnberg

4

Mandate

The mandate of this committee is simple: guide the young, upstart label company Death Row Records into the . Each of you, the delegates, will be representing an important member in Death Row Records, thus you will collectively have the power to permanently alter the course of Death Row and hip-hop as a whole. West Coast rap, which was founded by N.W.A., is a young genre and requires your help to reach the masses. You will each be tasked with not only creating new, exciting music but also navigating the tumultuous climate in hip-hop and LA at . Though much of this will be explained in the background and topics sections, I will briefly touch on some things for each of you to think about before the start of committee. First and foremost, you are attempting to surpass the established home of hip-hop, the East Coast. This means that, naturally, you will feud with, release diss tracks towards, and potentially come to a compromise with the major players on the East Coast. Additionally, keep in mind the political climate of Los Angeles at the time. There was a lot of conflict and tension in Los Angeles during the , and this could certainly play a role with Death Row Records. You all, as leaders in the community, can influence for better or for worse the tensions boiling in Los Angeles. Finally, it is of vital importance that you all remember and respect the issues and cultures we will be dealing with. Hip-hop culture is unique, and I ask that you all refrain from the use of inappropriate language, satire, and/or any offensive behavior given the sensitive topics we will be discussing. The timeline of our committee and the actual timeline of Death Row Records will be a bit different for the sake of simplicity. Death Row, which existed for over a decade, endured its fair share of entrances and exits of prominent artists across its lifespan; for example, Tupac did not sign with Death Row until 1994 and Dr. Dre left the label in 1996. For the purposes of this committee, however, it can be assumed that all characters and artists were members of the label at its inception, and it will be up to you how long each person remains with the label. Please keep in mind that I will also ensure that Bad Boy Entertainment, the prominent East Coast label, will be started simultaneously with Death Row for purposes of the committee and the flow of debate. (In actuality, Bad Boy Entertainment was not founded until 1993.) 5

The committee will begin with the birth of Death Row Records in 1992, and you will each be given significant power in the direction of the label. Your leader, , will be the chair, so as not to give any one delegate too much power. Your mission is to elevate Death Row Records and yourselves into supreme leaders of hip-hop. In terms of powers, each of you will have different abilities and connections at your disposal, but you will all be able to act independently to advance Death Row and your own brand while maintaining a relationship with your brothers and sisters in the label. I am very excited to see what each of you is capable of, and how we will ensure that Death Row Records never dies!

6

Background

The development of rap as an independent, culturally significant began on the East Coast with rappers such as Rakim and gaining clout and standing in their community and across the country. The story of hip-hop, however, would be incomplete without some brazen young men out West and their goal: to change . In 1986, the game would be forever changed. Eazy-, or Eric Lynn Wright, took the lead on forming the seminal rap group, N.W.A., along with Dr. Dre (Andre Romelle Young), Arabian (Kim Renard Nazel), DJ Yella (Antoine Carraby), (O’Shea Jackson Senior), and MC Ren (Lorenzo Jerald Patterson). This young group of rappers would go on to sign with and, for the first time, bring West Coast hip-hop to the center of America’s collective attention. Dr. Dre, who would eventually become a central figure with Death Row Records, was heavily recruited by Eazy-E to join N.W.A., and the group was a smashing success. Their principal , , took off to the top of the charts, establishing the group as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Their unique sound would go on to essentially form a new sub-genre of hip-hop: gangster rap. With Dre as the Head of Production at Ruthless, the label continued its ascent to primacy in the rap game, as other artists joined this new, opportunistic wave. At the time, it seemed as though Ruthless Records could do no wrong, with seemingly every new artist, such as The D.O.C. (Tracy Lynn Curry), pumping out massive records. With cash flowing in abundance and hits being made with consistency, not only was Ruthless on the top of the rap game, they brought gangster rap to the throne of the music industry with them. As seemingly everything was going right for Ruthless Records, everything began taking turns for the worst quicker than the label could react. At what seemed to be the apex of N.W.A.’s fame, Ice Cube left the group in a dispute over royalty payments. It seemed to Ice, and other artists, that they were not getting their fair share of the profits. After financial disagreements with N.W.A.’s manager, Jerry Heller, Ice Cube left the group permanently. Soon after Ice’s departure and the exposure of corruption within Ruthless, there was a mass exodus and talent drain from the label, causing the group to splinter and creating an opportunity to for a new player to enter the scene. This caused The D.O.C. to 7 hire an independent lawyer to check Ruthless’ accounting books. Here, a massive disparity was found between what Ruthless was making and the royalties being paid to artists. The D.O.C. and his manager, Suge Knight, went to Dr. Dre with the information, who was already becoming frustrated with Ruthless. Convinced the Ruthless and Heller were being dishonest, Knight and D.O.C. proposed to Dre that they form their own label, away from Heller and Eazy-E. Suge Knight, an ex-football player turned bodyguard was no stranger to opportunity and had already spent a lot of time around the music industry. Knight would not only go on to be the central figure with Death Row Records; rather, he was the founder and behind-the-scenes tactician. Dre, Knight, D.O.C., and SOLAR Records founder began the process of founding their new label. First, however, Dre needed to be released from his contract with Ruthless. In 1991, Knight negotiated contract releases from Ruthless Records for Dr. Dre and The D.O.C. Knight set the tone for his business practices early, using what some would consider to be untraditional methods in his talks with Ruthless. According to Eazy-E, Knight approached and threatened him with a baseball bat and a pipe to release the artists or face Knight’s power. Through similarly shady methods, Knight was also able to negotiate a contract release for Michel’le. Though he may have been under duress, Eazy-E released Dre and D.O.C. to Knight, sparking the birth of a new era of West Coast rap: the era of Death Row Records. Initially, the group named their new label Future Shock Entertainment. Soon, however, The D.O.C. suggested changing the name of the label to Def Row. Sadly, the rights to this name were already owned and eventually Death Row Records was brought to life. Knight, who now had major artists backing him and waiting for his next move, needed to find some cash to help the new, budding . In 1992, Knight undertook two business ventures to gain capital for the young label. Knight knew that the second golden age of hip-hop was beginning, and he didn’t want to sit alone on the game’s throne. Allegedly, Knight had been notified by someone from his team that they had produced the track Ice, Ice, Baby by (Robert Matthew Van Winkle), though they received no royalties for the song nor their work. After consulting with members of

8 his team, Knight and two others arrived at a restaurant in Palm Beach where Vanilla Ice was eating. Though nothing happened at that moment, various other encounters ensued until Knight and others appeared at Vanilla Ice’s hotel suite. Knight then threatened Vanilla Ice with a bat and, as Ice claims, forced him to look over the edge of the balcony in a hotel, insinuating that if Ice did not oblige, Knight would push him over the edge. With some helpful extortion of Vanilla Ice, Death Row Records and Knight were in business. Though the Vanilla Ice anecdote is somehow terrifying, slightly humorous, and a precursor of things to come, the majority of the money that started Death Row, sadly, did not come from royalties off of Ice, Ice, Baby. Rather, a lot of the funding came from business mogul Michael Harris. In the 1980s, Harris raked in the cash as one of the most prominent businessmen in Los Angeles. His attorney, David Kenner, was a former prosecutor with a taste for the scene. Harris alerted Kenner that he had heard about Death Row Records and asked him to contact Knight. Harris and Knight then cut a deal: Harris would invest $1.5 million in Death Row for a 50% stake in the label, with Kenner as the lawyer for Death Row. Death Row Records was no longer some pipeline thought experiment; rather, it was a group of highly talented, motivated individuals with musical skills and a lot of cash. With Knight at the helm, and a distribution deal with secured, Death Row appeared set to dominate the rap game for years to come. Without a big entrance to the scene, however, Death Row could not be properly introduced to the world. Now with funding, notoriety, and swagger, Death Row Records threw a massive rollout party, as Dr. Dre neared completion on Death Row’s first album: .

9

Topics for Discussion

East Coast vs. West Coast The struggle between East Coast and West Coast rap will play a pivotal role in this committee, and likely be the driving force behind the development of Death Row Records. The East Coast is established: it has run the game for years without much of a fight. As Death Row Records explodes onto the scene, the glass ceiling that had long kept the East elevated shattered. Now, the fight is not to bring the West up to the East, it is too ascend the rap game and capture the throne. Death Row Records’ ongoing fight with East Coast rappers and thirst to defeat its enemies should push this committee forward. Since the rise of N.W.A. and gangster rap on the West Coast, there has been increasing tension between the incumbent rap power (the East Coast) and the upstart rappers on the West. The beef would continue through the formation of Death Row Records and should play a constant role in the motives and goals of the label. Until 1993, however, there was no clearly delineated rival label for Death Row to face off against. Thus, for the purposes of this committee, it can be assumed that Bad Boy Entertainment, which in actuality was founded in 1993 by Puff Daddy (), was established simultaneously with Death Row Records as its enemy to the East. Bad Boy Entertainment would prove to be a force to be reckoned with, as it has dominant artists such as Puff Daddy himself, The Notorious B.I.G., and several other major players. Because both Death Row and Bad Boy Entertainment are so young at the start of committee, which will be at Death Row’s rollout party in 1992, not much is known about either group, but it is clear that they will dominate the rap genre and constantly be at odds with each other for years to follow. Carefully navigating the tense waters of hip-hop will be crucial for the committee at large, along with each rapper. In the battle to be the best, a lot is on the line for every single individual involved. One misstep could result in a shootout, losing fans, and/or going out of business. Each artist will need to make sure to help the efforts of the group at large and themselves as well. By continuing to make and being on headlines, Death Row’s clout will grow exponentially and force the East to succumb to the West. The East Coast isn’t currently worried about Death Row or the West – it believes it’s the 10 best because it has been for many years and doesn’t plan on falling off. The onus will fall on each delegate to bring the West to the top; however, that’s just the start of the journey. The real challenge will be to sit on the throne. Because the majority of hip-hop power was centered in the East at the time, Death Row Records will face a large hill to climb to assert its supremacy and become the top dog in rap.

Internal Struggles Although a look to the East reveals a massive enemy for the label, one does not need to look any further than within the group itself. A look at many famous rap – and music – groups reveals a troubling history of internal demise. N.W.A., for example, fell apart due to internal disputes over funding. Countless other groups have splintered for personal, monetary, and many other issues. The burden will fall on this committee to ensure that the same will not happen with Death Row Records. Death Row Records is, in essence, a group of independent individuals who have come together for one purpose: to chase the paper. With this in mind, it becomes obvious that there will be built-in, unavoidable tensions within the group. At its core, Death Row Records is alive to make money. The exodus of artists from Ruthless Records stemmed from a dispute over proper money distribution and artists feeling as though they were not getting their fair share. Because Death Row was born out of this movement, it must always be the primary goal of the label to bring in the cash. In order to accomplish this, Death Row must be constantly releasing new hits and major , which will be in direct competition with music from the East Coast. With many prominent rappers and producers on its team, Death Row certainly can release an unending stream of hits, but the label cannot allow its beefs and arguments to get in the way of music production. Without only one project set to be released soon, The Chronic by Dr. Dre, it is time to start brainstorming, working on, and recording new projects which will have the potential to define hip-hop for some time. The members of Death Row will need to come together in the face of adversity to keep their label alive and keep themselves alive. As the

11 old saying goes, more money, more problems; without money, however, there won’t be any problems for Death Row because it will be dead. One major internal struggle that Death Row will face, outside of their obvious of releasing new, good music, is the increasing volatility of their leader and founder: Suge Knight. Knight, the king of Death Row, seems as though he also could bring about the label’s demise. Knight has already demonstrated that he is extremely volatile and has a tendency for violence while forming Death Row. Though the group cannot simply kick out its leader, as he is idolized in the local community as a role model and a man of his word, his antics and behavior could result in prison time, destroy the label, and alter the direction of Death Row permanently. How the committee and each individual chooses to deal with Knight will play a prominent role in our quest for hip-hop supremacy. Ultimately, some of the greatest enemies that members of Death Row will face are each other. Whether it comes from internal power struggles, the grind to make good, productive music, the uneasiness of Suge Knight, or something else, the assembly of individuals in the label each have time-ticking characteristics that could blow up at any moment. The careful navigation of the committee will play a massive role in Death Row Records’ ultimate success of demise.

Turmoil in Los Angeles Although the focus of this committee is not so much on the climate surrounding Death Row, but rather on Death Row Records itself, the surrounding world will inevitably affect the actions and decisions of the label. Los Angeles has had to deal with its fair share of controversy over the years, and Death Row can either further or fix the damage already dealt. It will fall upon the committee whether it will act as a beacon of hope for the downtrodden in Los Angeles, and across the country, or worsen the conflict. With Death Row Records set to be the most prominent and influential player in the LA rap game, there is some role it must play in the issues the city faced throughout the 1990s. There is somewhat of a duality of the existence of Death Row at this time, as it can act as a beacon of hope for many disenfranchised, hopeless youths in LA, however, many

12 of the artists are involved in gang violence and have extensive rap sheets. This causes a question to arise: what will Death Row’s impact on LA be? With the Rodney King incident and the ensuing riots, which we will not be discussing at-length in this committee, LA has reached a boiling point. The path the committee chooses to take could ultimately decide Los Angeles’ future. Though the aforementioned tensions are certainly important and merit some discussion, the focus of this committee as it pertains to turmoil in Los Angeles will largely deal with political attacks against Death Row Records. Interscope Records, the distribution agency signed with Death Row, is a major distributor and should be able to unlock every part of the country for Death Row, but its involvement with the label carries some political risk. Political turmoil in LA could lead to gargantuan elections on the horizon, with Death Row and Interscope set as potential targets of upcoming politicians determined to cut down on crime and violence in LA. Time Warner, a massive media conglomerate, owns a stake in Interscope Records, which could become a political issue due to its connection with Death Row. Death Row, inherently, produces and creates music that may not appeal to a lot of listeners due to vulgarity and the stigma against gangster rap and hip-hop as a whole. This could cause issues for Time Warner, as Interscope’s association, and Time Warner’s, with Death Row Records could potentially damage the national brand and carry political consequences. Death Row’s approach to their relationship with the media conglomerates, and vice versa, could have massive implications in the future of the label. How Death Row handles any political attacks and censorship attempts from Warner and/or Interscope will play a major role in the success and lifespan of the label.

13

Positions

Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre, one of the seminal figures in the rap game, is a fierce, resilient, intelligent individual who has the power to shape communities with his words and beats. He has immense power both over the public, as he is wildly popular and consistently comes out with hit records, and Death Row Records itself. As one of the original artists signed to Death Row, he has a prominent role as a quasi-founder and leader for the group. His will have a large effect on the direction of Death Row and the path it will take. Additionally, his album slated for release, The Chronic, has enormous potential and could fundamentally change the rap game. Finally, Dr. Dre is close friends with Death Row leader, Suge Knight, and has influence over his decisions.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg, a Los Angeles born rapper and member of the group “213”, is known for his smooth rhythm, lyrical genius, and ability to captivate a large audience. When Snoop speaks, everyone listens. Though it isn’t entirely accurate to call Snoop Dr. Dre’s understudy, he is definitely someone with close ties to Dre, and they are good friends. Snoop is also cousins with and Lil’ ½ Dead and is close friends with and The D.O.C. Although Snoop is loving and kind to those close to him, he can be a bit volatile and has found himself in trouble with authority, as he was arrested right out of high school and was in and out of prison for the next three years.

Tupac Shakur

Although Tupac was born in , he relocated to Los Angeles in 1988 and quickly became one of the most influential West Coast rappers of his generation. Tupac’s ties to Harlem and the East Coast put him in a powerful position in this committee, as the main opponents of Death Row reside to the East; Tupac can leverage his existing relationships to advance his personal agenda along with Death Row’s, even if that means furthering the rivalry. It is also important to keep in mind Tupac’s intelligence – his genius is apparent in his writing and songs, and he has taken strong stances on social issues in the past through his songs. Tupac has ties throughout Death Row and the rap game as a whole

14 and can leverage his connections and exuberant personality to forge meaningful connections. Finally, it is important to keep in mind that although Tupac did not join Death Row until 1996, for the committee, he will join at the time of the group’s inception.

Warren G

Warren G was one of the pioneers of West Coast hip-hop, with his career beginning as a member of the group 213, alongside Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg. He was born in Long Beach, and lived there until his parents got divorced when he was four years old. At age 12, his father remarried Dr. Dre’s mother, making Warren and Dre stepbrothers. Warren has spent some time in trouble with the law, finding himself in prison throughout his early life and upon his graduation from high school. Warren is widely respected for his hard work ethic and drive, as he worked in a shipyard upon his release while continuing to hone his musical talents. Warren’s potential eruption onto the rap scene could be massive, with his natural talent potentially allowing him to become a seminal member of the rap game.

Nate Dogg

Nate Dogg began his career as a member of 213 with Warren G and Snoop Dogg, quickly ascending to a prominent position in the industry. He was born in Clarksdale, , but moved to Long Beach early in his life. He is known widely for his smooth hooks and low-pitched voice, establishing himself as a seminal founder of G- and West Coast hip-hop. Nate Dogg had one of the more unique early lives out of all members of Death Row, and should definitely be able to use his unique connections to his advantage. At 17, he dropped out of school, left home, and enlisted in the Marines, eventually finding himself station in Japan. He was eventually discharged in 1989 and found his way back to the West Coast.

Kurupt

Kurupt is a man with lyrical savvy and an outgoing, likable personality. He was born in , and moved to Hawthorn at age 16, eventually finding his way to in the District at 18. He made his musical debut as a recording artist by appearing on three songs on The S.O.S. Band’s 1991 album One of

15

Many Nights. He then signed to Death Row Records and quickly after formed with his close friend Daz Dilinger. Kurupt also has close connections with Lady Of Rage, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Lil ½ Dead, and RBX, along with The D.O.C. and Dr. Dre. Kurupt has a large role to play in the battle with the East Coast, as his talent and short temper could enable him to further the divide or become a leader in bridging the gap between the two groups.

Daz Dilinger

Daz Dilinger was born in Long Beach, California and became one of the founders of West Coast hip-hop. His career began as a producer for Suge Knight’s Paradise, and he was subsequently signed to Death Row Records. He maintains a close friendship with Dr. Dre and his fellow Tha Dogg Pound member, Kurupt. Dilinger is also good friends with Snoop Dogg and various other members of Death Row. Dilinger possesses a lot of talent both as a producer and rapper and should be able to play a large role in the committee.

Ice Cube

Ice Cube was born in South Central Los Angeles and became one of the most important figures in rap history. Ice Cube enrolled in the Phoenix Institute of Technology in 1987 to study architectural drafting and completed his diploma within the year. He then came back to Los Angeles to begin his illustrious rap career. He first gained clout as a member of the rap group C.I.A. until it was disbanded three years later; upon C.I.A.’s , Ice joined N.W.A. with Dr. Dre and Eazy E. With N.W.A., Ice gained fame and became a founding artist of . Ice then pursued a solo career, where his meteoric rise to the top continued, as he made friends in the rap game, Hollywood, and across Los Angeles.

The D.O.C.

The D.O.C. was born in Dallas, Texas but eventually made his way to Los Angeles, where he quickly gained fame and notoriety. Along with his solo career, he joined the Fila Fresh Crew and N.W.A., where he continued to blow up. After his falling out with N.W.A., The D.O.C. became one of the founding members of Death Row, establishing tight connections with Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, Michel’le, and others. The D.O.C. is one of the

16 more established rappers in Death Row, as his debut album, No One Can Do It Better, went platinum five times after its release. The D.O.C. ran into some turmoil in late 1989, however, as he was involved in a car accident that permanently damaged his larynx, altering his voice forever.

Michel’le

Michel’le was born in Los Angeles in 1970 and evolved into one of the primary figures in the rap game and one of the, if not the, top woman in the industry. She initially signed to Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records, releasing her debut album in 1989, which was produced by her boyfriend, Dr. Dre. Michel’le became one of the founding members of Death Row following the fallout with N.W.A. and established close relationships with Ice T, MC Ren, MC Hammer, Young MC, and JJ Fad. She has a lot of power in the local community, particularly with young women, and has established herself as a leader in Los Angeles. How she navigates her job as a member of Death Row and as a role model for aspiring young women will be vital to the success of the committee.

Dick Griffey

Dick Griffey is situated in a unique position in this committee, enabling him to be a true difference-maker with Death Row. Griffey grew up in the projects in Nashville and enlisted in the Navy at 17, where he worked as a medic and private-duty nurse. Griffey eventually made his way to Los Angeles, where formed his own label, SOLAR Records, in 1977. Griffey would go on to play a massive role in both the music industry as a whole and with Death Row. Griffey provided funding for Death Row and allowed artists to record songs in his studio. With his connections to the rest of the music industry and the business world, Griffey has a different type of power in the committee and can heavily influence the direction of Death Row.

David Kenner

David Kenner, a Los Angeles attorney and businessman, was one of most unrecognized, influential members in the founding of Death Row Records. Kenner has close connections with drug kingpin Michael Harris, as he served as his personal attorney for some time. Harris, or Harry-O, provided much of the initial funding for Death Row and helped them

17 get off the ground. Kenner also served as the principal attorney for Death Row Records and Suge Knight, giving him a lot of power over the decisions Death Row makes. Kenner can work to keep Death Row and its members out of trouble, but he also has the unique potential to truly turn everything on its head.

Sam Sneed

Sam Sneed is a talented yet undeveloped rapper who could enjoy a meteoric rise with Death Row if he plays his cards right. Sneed was originally born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania and he made his way to Los Angeles to pursue a music career. He got his start by working as a producer for K-Solo and the Hit Squad. Sneed would eventually sign with Death Row, though as one of the more lowkey figures, he never made extremely tight bonds. This could be used to his advantage as he can forge his own relationships and truly chart his own path to stardom.

MC Hammer

MC Hammer is a true innovator that lacks an easy comparison. Although he is certainly a leader in the development of West Coast hip-hop, he also dabbles in pop music and is an incredible dancer. Hammer grew up in a six-child household crammed into a three- bedroom apartment in the housing projects of Oakland. In college, Hammer struggled and considered turning to the drug trade, but instead joined the Navy for three years and eventually began his music career. Hammer first produced Christian rap music but eventually moved into more mainstream music and signed with . With incredible commercial success, including “U Can’t Touch This,” Hammer eventually came to Death Row late in the game (but for purposes of the committee he will arrive at its inception). Hammer has close ties with individuals across the music industry but also within Death Row, including Dr. Dre and Tupac.

Bad Azz

Bad Azz, a member of Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta alongside Daz Dilinger and Kurupt, has close connections throughout Death Row and a strong voice in the organization. He was born in South California and began his career by at house parties, eventually joining the LBC Crew. Bad Azz established close relationships with Tupac and Snoop

18

Dogg, which culminated in him signing on with Death Row Records. Bad Azz is one of the younger members of Death Row and can have a lot of appeal to the youth if he applies his talent and power appropriately.

Alex Roberts

Alex Roberts is, simply put, an enigma. Roberts is one of the more secluded figures in Death Row, as he is not a rapper or producer. Alex Roberts is involved in “business affairs” for volatile, violent Death Row leader Suge Knight. He is a wildcard with the freedom to make the most out of his role with Death Row. Seeing as he has no official responsibility or business, he can utilize his connections and special skills to advance his personal agenda and Death Row’s, perhaps more so than any other member of the organization.

Storm

Storm was a member of Tupac’s and eventually followed him to Death Row. As the only female in Outlawz, she holds a lot of power and say in the group, and in Death Row. She maintains extremely close ties with Tupac, whom she met during the shooting of a film. She is also very close with , who is also a member of Outlawz. Storm is an exceptionally talented roster and really only needs her opportunity to make it big. Storm has the capability to mobilize a female fan base and garner large support for herself, for Death Row, and for female artists across the rap game.

Yaki Kadafi

As one of the founding members of Outlawz, and eventual important member of Death Row, Kadafi has a lot of clout and influence. Kadafi, who got his name from the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, is Tupac’s godbrother and thus has extremely close connections with him and the rest of the Outlawz, including Storm. Kadafi was born in to a single mother, as his dad was imprisoned for various serious crimes. Although Kadafi never signed with Death Row, for the purposes of the simulation he will be a full-fledged member from the time of its inception. With his rap skills, ties to the Bronx, and connections across the game, he can possess a lot of power.

19

RBX

RBX, or Reality Born Unknown, was born in Long Beach, California and quickly established himself as a major player in the rap game. With close connections to his cousins Snoop Dogg and Daz Dilinger, RBX joined Death Row without signing a blank contract. This gives him leverage over the organization, as he owes no significant ties to it and can spin off at his will. RBX also maintains ties with Kurup and Dr. Dre, but his important connection lays with , a funk legend. This is an extremely unique connection, and tied together with his talent and presence, enables him to be a major figure in Death Row.

The Lady of Rage

The Lady of Rage, born in Farmville, Virginia, is “one of the most skillful female MCs” with a “mastery of flow” and “hard-core lyrics.” After providing vocals for multiple artists, Dr. Dre uncovered her sound and immediately enlisted her help. The Lady of Rage worked with a wide variety of artists in Death Row and had a commanding presence of both the rap game and those she associated with. The Lady of Rage has the opportunity to be a powerful female artist, with clout and strong vocals.

Jewell

Jewell is an R&B artist with incredible vocals and talent, enough to earn her the nickname of “The First Lady of Death Row Records.” As this name implies, she had a lot of power within the group and has connections with essentially every person in the organization. She differentiates herself from others through her style and focuses on R&B rather than hip-hop, expanding her listener base. Jewell, with her power over the group, its members, and her music, has the ability to be an example for young women across the rap game and can help to lift up women across the industry. She has the potential to not just reshape Death Row Records, but Los Angeles as a whole.

Lil’ Nation

Lil’ Nation, or CPO Boss Hogg, was born in Compton and became a prominent rapper in Los Angeles. He was a childhood friend of Bill Burr and was discovered by MC Ren.

20

Alongside DJ Train and Young D, he was a founding member of the group CPO or Capital Punishment Organization. The group released its only album prior to splitting up in 1991. After the death of both CPO and NWA, Nation signed with Death Row Records. Nation has the ability to elevate himself within Death Row and the rap game by focusing on expanding his brand, consumer base, and quality of product.

D.J. Train

Prior to joining Young D and Lil’ Nation in CPO, DJ Train was a childhood friend of MC Ren and Eazy E. Train is an extremely talented rapper with a propensity for bravery. He is someone who is willing to put his own life and self on the line for those he cares about and knows that life is more than rapping and gangbanging. Train can use his platform for good and become a true leader in the Los Angeles community and can leverage his ties in Death Row and elsewhere to elevate himself and those around him. DJ Train is also close friends with Dr. Dre and is generally perceived as a cool, friendly guy.

Gina Longo

Gina Longo is one of the most interesting characters affiliated with Death Row Records. Although she never released any high-profile music, Suge Knight recruited her and made sure to sign her to a contract. Though this may appear as a head-scratching move at the surface, Gina has real musical talent and real connections in Los Angeles. Gina is the daughter of the Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, thus her, and her father, have extremely close connections with the Los Angeles Police Department and city officials. She can utilize these ties to massively improve her own situation, her music career, and Death Row as a whole.

21