DJ Quik Done with Death Row Records
DJ Quik, West Coast Hip Hop legend, expresses frustration with the industry. In fact, he burned his Death Row Records royalty check on Instagram live.
“I’m not happy,” he says in the video. “I’m really offended by this Death Row payment and the amount. I worked so hard for these individuals, and I feel the lack of respect is unbelievable. There’s none. So, to demonstrate how little your money means to me, Mr. Death Row Records, despite all the work I did for them and assisting with the Tha Dogg Pound project, I have to say it: Devil, you’re a jerk. I want my rightful payment, and I want proper acknowledgment for everything I contributed to this industry.”
“All the songs, like ‘Hot In Here’ by Nelly and Pharrell. I deserve credit for ‘Get Nekkid.’ I also deserve credit from Kendrick Lamar, and this is not to disrespect him or TDE, I think you guys are amazing. But it was really disappointing that my credit was omitted from ‘King Kunta’ on ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’.”
The Legend Details His Notable Collaborations
While Quik’s check burned, he demands respect and accreditation for specific songs he’s helped make successful.
“R. Kelly ‘Home Alone,’ that’s 100 percent all of my drum sounds, my music, and me playing percussion,” he says. “I also want credit for ‘All Eyez On Me,’ it’s rightfully mine. I contributed to songs like ‘In Da Club’ and ‘If I Can’t’ by 50 Cent, and I want credit for those too. I want all of my credits. I’m getting impatient and feeling disrespected. I refuse to be overlooked in the music industry any longer. I demand the respect I deserve as a talented producer. Give me all of my damn credits.”
Quik Addresses Danger of His Association to Death Row Records
Quik discusses putting his life in danger for Death Row Records, adding, “I took death chances over there. I could have been killed being at that record company. I need all of my fucking credit. Give me my shit while I’m alive. Give me my roses when I can smell them.”
DJ Quik’s relationship with former Death Row CEO Marion “Suge” Knight stretches back to 1988 when Quik was signed to his Funky Enough Records imprint. In 1990, Quik signed a deal with Profile Records, but reportedly regretted it. Eazy-E offered him a $1 million advance to sign with Ruthless Records and consequently, Profile sent a cease-and-desist letter to Ruthless.
DJ Quik Past Credits
Over the course of Quik’s lengthy career, he’s racked up a slew of production credits beginning in 1991 with 2nd II None’s self-titled debut, AMG’s Bitch Better Have My Money, his own album Quik Is The Name and Hi-C’s Skanless. In 1996, he added 2Pac’s All Eyez On Me, Tony! Toni! Tone!’s House of Music and Shaquille O’Neal’s You Can’t Stop The Reign. Other credits include Luniz, Jermaine Dupri, Snoop Dogg, Erick Sermon and Janet Jackson.
It is apparent that Quik is seeking the recognition that he so rightly deserves for his contributions to highly acclaimed music.
