Snoop Dogg and Suge Knight may be at odds, but now they find themselves on the same side of a legal war against a long-time enemy of the Death Row brand. Or are Michael, a.k.a. “Harry-O,” and Lydia Harris the rightful owners of the historic label?
Lydia Harris, the ex-wife of Michael “Harry-O” Harris, the man widely credited with funding the launch of Death Row Records, has filed a lawsuit against Snoop and Suge, alleging that she was defrauded from millions. According to Harris, she and her then-husband invested $1.5 million in Death Row’s early days in 1989. However, despite the label becoming a powerhouse in the 1990s, she claims she never received the payments she was owed.
The lawsuit, filed on March 17 in Texas, accuses Snoop Dogg and Suge Knight of conspiring to prevent her from collecting a $107 million judgment she was awarded in 2005. Harris alleges that both men and other major industry players, including Interscope Records and music mogul Jimmy Iovine, have worked to shut her out financially.
This isn’t Harris’ first attempt to reclaim what she believes is rightfully hers. She initially sued Suge Knight and Death Row Records in 2002 and won the massive $107 million judgment three years later when Knight’s attorneys violated discovery rules. However, she has yet to receive any of the payout.
Harris claims Snoop Dogg’s acquisition of Death Row Records in 2022 has only worsened matters, accusing the label of “systematic misrepresentation and fraudulent telecommunications” to keep her in the dark. She is now seeking punitive damages, a complete financial accounting, and the recovery of all assets owed to her since the label’s inception.
Adding to the irony, this lawsuit comes amid ongoing public clashes between Snoop and Knight. Knight has criticized Snoop’s handling of Death Row, accusing him of tarnishing its legacy with lackluster releases. Meanwhile, Snoop has dismissed Knight’s claims as jealousy over his 2022 label acquisition. Now, both men must address Harris’ lawsuit as she fights for what she believes is her rightful stake in Death Row’s history.