Snoop Dogg performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 13, 2022 in Inglewood, Calif.
Kevin C. Cox/GIDeath Row Records will be “an NFT label” and the first major record company to operate in the metaverse, according to its new owner Snoop Dogg, who dropped the news during a Clubhouse chat on Tuesday (Feb. 15).
“We will be putting out artists through the metaverse,” said the rapper, who added, “Just like [Death Row] broke the industry when we was the first independent to be major, I want to be the first major in the metaverse.”
Snoop Dogg revealed the news during a conversation hosted by Clubhouse creator Will Weinbach, who created a room titled “I’m Not Leaving This Room Until Snoop Dogg Joins” on Monday, a day after the rapper performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Snoop Dogg joined the room 14 hours later.
Snoop Dogg’s purchase of Death Row Records from the Blackstone-controlled MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music) was announced on Feb. 9. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though a source told Billboard that the agreement on the use of the Death Row brand – including the label’s IP, trademark, name and logo – had been finalized, while the purchase of the Death Row recording catalog was expected to close soon.
This is far from Snoop Dogg’s first foray into NFTs and the metaverse. In March 2021, the rapper announced he would be releasing his first NFT collection, “A Journey with the Dogg,” on Crypto.com. In September, he claimed he was the user behind the Twitter account @CozomoMedici, which garnered significant interest due to its owner’s well-documented speculation in the NFT space and ownership of hundreds of NFTs. He additionally owns virtual real estate in the Sandbox gaming metaverse, which is slated to drop the Snoop Dogg-inspired NFT/playable avatar collection “The Doggies” this month.
Following his announcement of the Death Row acquisition, Snoop Dogg revealed that he would be making his new album, B.O.D.R. (Bacc on Death Row), available via blockchain in partnership with blockchain gaming platform Gala Games. The album can be purchased in the form of “Stash Box” NFTs, each of which contains one of 17 songs off B.O.D.R. and goes for $5,000 apiece (there were 16,093 out of 25,000 Stash Boxes remaining at the time of publishing). Gala has claimed that holders of the Stash Boxes will receive “exclusive drops,” including films, comics, images and unique concert opportunities. “Think of the Snoop Dogg Stash Box as a lifetime membership to an elite club,” states a recent post on Gala Games’ official blog.
Rick Astley will take viewers on a reflective look back at his life and career when he appears alongside Dermot O’Leary in a new episode of Reel Stories, due to air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in February 2026.
The series, first broadcast in 2018, invites major music figures into a London cinema to revisit key moments from both their personal lives and professional paths. With his 60th birthday approaching next year, Astley becomes the latest musician to sit down with O’Leary for the thoughtful and personal conversation.
Looking back on taking part, Astley said: “I loved doing Reel Stories with Dermot O’Leary, what a treat to be taken back to the start and come right through to today. Dermot is the perfect companion to go on that rollercoaster of emotion, love and thanks, Rick x.”
O’Leary shared his own praise for the experience, saying: “What a pleasure to spend time with Rick and hear him talk so openly about his memories from over the decades. I’ve long been a fan of his… A true gent, wise soul and real talent. I hope that viewers enjoy this extended interview as much as I did.”
Rachel Davies, Commissioning Editor for BBC Pop Music TV, described the timing of the episode as ideal. She said: “Reel Stories is all about telling artists’ stories in a unique way… I’m thrilled that in February, Dermot will be joined by the one and only Rick Astley, celebrating Rick’s life and work as he reaches his 60th birthday.”
The programme follows Astley’s journey from his early work with the soul group FBI through to becoming an international pop star guided by Stock Aitken Waterman. He revisits his first appearance on Top of the Pops, speaks about the intense pressure that followed worldwide success when Never Gonna Give You Up reached number one in 25 countries, and reflects on his decision to step back from fame to focus on family.
Astley also talks about how his music found a new audience through the Rickrolling phenomenon, his return to recording after a 20 year break with encouragement from comedian Peter Kay, and his later career revival. This includes the success of his 2016 album 50 and his appearance on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage in 2023.
As part of the themed evening, viewers will also be able to watch a repeat of Astley’s Glastonbury performance along with Stock Aitken Waterman at the BBC. The additional programme features classic moments from Astley as well as performances by Dead or Alive, Donna Summer, Bananarama, Mel and Kim, and Kylie and Jason Donovan.
Astley now joins a notable group of past Reel Stories guests that includes Dave Grohl, Jon Bon Jovi, Kylie, Noel Gallagher, Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams, Shania Twain, Rod Stewart, Sting, and Take That.
