Live From Death Row (Singles Classic)

Indeed, there is no way to truly comprehend the incredible success of Death Row Records-its estimated worth now tops $100 million--without first understanding the conditions that created the rap game in the first place: few legal economic paths in America's inner cities, stunted educational opportunities, a pervasive sense of alienation among young black males, black folks' age-old need to create music, and a typically American hunger for money and power.

From Kevin Powell, one of the founding staff members of Quincy Jones’ Vibe magazine, and one of the foremost political, cultural, literary, and hip-hop voices in America, comes a behind-the-scenes look at rap's most notorious record label, Death Row, and its complicated, controversial honcho Suge Knight--around the same time Snoop Doggy Dog sat on trial for murder and Tupac, fresh out of prison, put the finishing touches on his masterpiece, All Eyez On Me, as produced by the legendary Dr. Dre.

Live From Death Row was originally published in Vibe, February 1996.

Kevin Powell is the author of 12 books, including his new autobiography, the critically-acclaimed The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey into Manhood, available in hardcover, paperback and audio book.

Cover design by Adil Dara.