Watch Welcome to Death Row

Welcome to Death Row is a documentary film that was released in 2001. The film tells the story of one of the most legendary record labels in the history of hip hop, Death Row Records, and focuses on the events surrounding the label's rise and fall during the 1990s. Directed by S. Leigh Savidge and Jeff Scheftel, the film features interviews with many of the key players involved in Death Row's success, as well as archival footage that sheds light on the label's controversial past. These interviews include executives, producers, and artists who were affiliated with the label at one point or another.

The documentary begins by giving the audience a brief overview of the history of hip hop music and its roots in African American communities in New York City during the 1970s. It then delves into the rise of gangsta rap music in the mid-1980s and the emergence of Dr. Dre, a producer and rapper who would become one of the most important figures in the history of the genre.

The film then explores the early days of Death Row Records, which was founded by Dre and notorious music executive Suge Knight in 1991. The label quickly became one of the most successful and controversial in the industry, thanks in large part to the success of Dre's debut solo album The Chronic.

However, the success of Death Row was not without its dark side. The film examines the label's ties to Los Angeles gang culture, as well as its association with violent incidents that occurred during the 1990s. It also looks at the various feuds and rivalries that existed within the label, particularly between Dre and Knight.

As the 1990s progressed, Death Row's fortunes began to decline. The documentary explains how legal troubles and financial problems plagued the label, leading to its eventual downfall. It also examines the impact that Death Row had on the hip hop industry as a whole, and how the label's legacy continues to live on today.

Throughout the film, viewers are treated to interviews with some of the biggest names in hip hop, including Dre, Suge Knight, Tupac Shakur, and Snoop Dogg. Other interviewees include journalists, music industry executives, and members of law enforcement who were involved in investigating Death Row's activities.

Overall, Welcome to Death Row provides a gripping and eye-opening look into the inner workings of one of the most important and controversial record labels in the history of hip hop. The film's combination of interviews, archival footage, and expert analysis helps to paint a picture of Death Row's rise and fall that is both informative and entertaining.

Welcome to Death Row is a 2001 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.