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Have Gun Will Travel
Death Row Records is one of the most successful music labels of all time. From its inception in 1992, it exploded on the rap music scene with sales climbing to the $125 million mark in just four years. Even more noticeable than the label's financial success is the effect it had on American youth culture, making gangsta rap more popular with suburban white youth and MTV viewers than traditional rock groups. But under the guidance of six-foot-four-inch, 300-pound CEO Marion "Suge" Knight, Death Row also became the most controversial record label in history--a place where violence, gang feuds, threats, intimidation, and brushes with death were business as usual.
Have Gun Will Travel details the spectacular rise and violent fall of a music label that had at its heart a ferocious criminal enterprise cloaked behind corporate facades that gave it a guise of legitimacy. With inside access no other writer can claim, Ronin Ro, the country's preeminent rap journalist, exposes the facts everyone else is afraid to divulge--from the initial bankrolling of Death Row by a leader of L.A.'s notorious Bloods gang, to links with New York's Genovese crime family. Have Gun Will Travel lays bare the full story behind this influential label, including the still-unsolved murders of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G., as well as Suge Knight's rise to power, his fight with East Coast rap titans such as Sean "Puffy" Combs, and his eventual imprisonment.
Although it has been all over the news--from The Wall Street Journal to Rolling Stone --this is a timeless story about an empire built on greed, corruption, murder, and exploitation. With exclusive interviews and bloodcurdling eyewitness accounts, Have Gun Will Travel combines the behind-the-scenes fascination of books like Hit Men and Hit and Run with the violence and dramatic sweep of The Godfather, in a brilliant and blistering document of contemporary culture.
Have Gun Will Travel details the spectacular rise and violent fall of a music label that had at its heart a ferocious criminal enterprise cloaked behind corporate facades that gave it a guise of legitimacy. With inside access no other writer can claim, Ronin Ro, the country's preeminent rap journalist, exposes the facts everyone else is afraid to divulge--from the initial bankrolling of Death Row by a leader of L.A.'s notorious Bloods gang, to links with New York's Genovese crime family. Have Gun Will Travel lays bare the full story behind this influential label, including the still-unsolved murders of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G., as well as Suge Knight's rise to power, his fight with East Coast rap titans such as Sean "Puffy" Combs, and his eventual imprisonment.
Although it has been all over the news--from The Wall Street Journal to Rolling Stone --this is a timeless story about an empire built on greed, corruption, murder, and exploitation. With exclusive interviews and bloodcurdling eyewitness accounts, Have Gun Will Travel combines the behind-the-scenes fascination of books like Hit Men and Hit and Run with the violence and dramatic sweep of The Godfather, in a brilliant and blistering document of contemporary culture.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published February 17, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 7, 2011
This book may give you nightmares, whether you believe every word or not. Death Row Records was one of the premier record labels in the 90's. The way it was run, however, made it seem like the newest, most lethal gang in California. The book follows Suge Knight, Tupac, Snoop Doggy Dog, and Dr. Dre in depth through the meteoric rise and disastrous fall of Death Row; through Suge's imprisonment, Tupac and Biggie's untimely deaths that may or may not have been caused by Suge, and Snoop and Dre leaving the label. Among the beatings and murders associated with the Row, many are still not solved. The label seems to have left more of a legacy of violence than a legacy of genre- and life-changing music.
June 25, 2024
A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF SUGE KNIGHT, DEATH ROW, AND MUCH MORE
Music journalist and author Ronin Ro wrote in this 1998 book of Suge Knight’s youth, “At home, Suge’s assertive mother spoiled him. She would cook his favorite meals, clean his room, iron his clothes, and shower him with affection. If his grades were bad or if he misbehaved or picked on his sisters, she turned the other way. In [her] eyes he could do no wrong… His mild-mannered father… instilled in Suge a love for music and football. Suge’s home like, though characterized by struggle, was a stable one. Unlike many of his neighbors, he had two parents present in the household.” (Pg. 13)
He notes, “Suge found work doing security for Bobby Brown… At the time Brown was a bachelor who liked to make the scene at nightclubs… With Suge in tow, well-dressed Brown made the rounds almost every evening. Suge kept seeing the DOC (Tracy L. Curry) everywhere he went and struck up a friendship with the successful rapper… Suge would ask the DOC about his producer, Dr. Dre… A flamboyant man who … kept his head clean-shaven, and wore earrings on both ears along with the baggy clothes favored by local gang members… Dre was the most successful rap producer in the industry… Though Dre played the role of gang member (firing shotguns in bank-robbery scenes in violent N.W.A. music videos) the DOC revealed that that was just an image. Dre was the nicest guy you’d ever meet. As a bodyguard, Suge had seen the large sums of money earned by popular musicians… Suge began to formulate a plan… what he needed was for the DOC to introduce him to Dr. Dre. If Suge could somehow convince Dre to break his contract with Ruthless Records and join him at a new record label, they would both become very rich.” (Pg. 20-21)
After Death Row Records was founded, “Soon Suge began to hire ex-convicts … to keep watch over the office… The Death Row office was soon overrun with Bloods… These gang members sat on schools, chain-smoking… People who tried to chat with them were attacked… People who came to the office uninformed met these ex-convict gang members under less than ideal circumstances. Messengers and business associates had their pockets patted down and money taken… Suge wasn’t the type to take someone to court… Why pay an arm and a leg in legal costs when situations would be handled directly in minutes? If Suge felt someone was trying to cheat him, the offender would be dragged into a storeroom by his goons and pounded to a bloody pulp. Death Row employees went about their filing and faxing as blood-curdling shrieks filled the office.” (Pg. 102-103)
He notes, “At first Suge wasn’t a Tupac fan. He looked like any other wanna-be gangsta rapper glutting the market. But Tupac started getting into brawls, shooting off-duty cops, and facing accusations that he was a rapist. Sensing the potential for sales of albums built around Tupacls new outlaw image, Suge’s opinion changed. Tupac’s legal troubles would make him more appealing to Death Records’ core audience, the suburban white kids who went from listening to heavy metal acts … to buying millions of copies of gangsta rap albums. Suge…wanted to sign Tupac as soon as possible.” (Pg. 136)
He recounts, “Tupac’s friends warned him about the consequences of posing as a gang member onstage. Real gangsters would confront him, especially if he kept wearing those bandanas tied around his head… The summer Tupac was cast as a postal worker opposite Janet Jackson in director John Singleton’s ‘Poetic Justice.’ Singleton hoped the role would calm Tupac down. Before they filmed any kissing scenes, however, Janet Jackson insisted that Tupac be tested for HIV.” (Pg. 145)
He observes, “According to a number of young black males … Interscope Records [the distributor for Death Row] decided to turn a blind eye to the violence. [Interscope co-founder Jimmy] Iovine, they felt, knew Suge and his men had dragged Fade Duvernay out of the meeting and choked him in an adjacent office… Many people connected to Interscope felt, since Death Row was earning the label millions of dollars, Interscope could not afford to risk damaging the relationship because a few black employees were being threatened or slapped around… one Interscope employee explained, ‘But I never heard of no white boys getting whupped on.’” (Pg. 190)
After Tupac was imprisoned for sexual abuse, “Snoop Doggy Dogg pitied his old friend Tupac’s plight… Snoop said… ‘I told Suge, “We need ‘Pac on Death Row.” Suge agreed. Tupac was having trouble with Puffy. Now would be a good time to offer Tupac a contract. Suge made his offer. Behind bars, Tupac accepted. His friends urged him not to sign, but Tupac desperately wanted to be free… ‘I know I’m selling my soul to the devil,’ he said. ‘At that point,’ his mother, Afeni Shakur, claimed, ‘I don’t think he had any choice but to sign that contract.’ This was not entirely true. Tupac could have decided to refuse Suge’s offer and serve his time in prison—just like any other inmate.” (Pg. 249-250)
Ro explains, “When he signed to Death Row, thirty-two-year-old Hammer hoped his career would receive a much-needed boost. Suge hoped Hammer could recapture the hearts of the immense white audience that loved his single ‘You Can’t Touch This.’ Dr. Dre was disgusted by Hammer’s presence on what was supposed to be a gangsta rap label… He represented everything Dre spent a career insulting… As the relationship with Death Row soured, Dre saw Suge use subtle manipulation to sway artists to his side. Most artists were upset when they heard Suge’s version of why Dre did n appear at the courtroom during Snoop’s trial… ‘[Dre] would have saved Snoop’s whole case,’ said Tupac Shakur. ‘Dre never showed up. He was too busy. When they told me that, I was like, no matter how dope he is, and Dre is one of my heroes in the music business, if he’s not down for his homeboy Snoop---who brought him back when he was a relic---then I don’t wanna be around him.’” (Pg. 266-267)
On the night of the Mike Tyson fight, “Tray told Suge and Tupac … this guy was one of the Crips involved in that robbery in the summer… Tupac approached the guy… the Death Row entourage piled onto him, giving another of their trademark beatings… By participating, Tupac had crossed the line between rapping and gangbanging. After the assault, Suge and Tupac led the entourage through the casino like an occupying army. Hotel security approached the victim and urged him to file a report, but the guy refused and quietly left.” (Pg. 292) Suge and Tupac were both shot (Tupac fatally), as they were heading to the afterparty.
This book will be “must reading” for those interested in “gangsta rap,” Death Row Records, Suge Knight, Tupac Shakur, and similar topics.
Music journalist and author Ronin Ro wrote in this 1998 book of Suge Knight’s youth, “At home, Suge’s assertive mother spoiled him. She would cook his favorite meals, clean his room, iron his clothes, and shower him with affection. If his grades were bad or if he misbehaved or picked on his sisters, she turned the other way. In [her] eyes he could do no wrong… His mild-mannered father… instilled in Suge a love for music and football. Suge’s home like, though characterized by struggle, was a stable one. Unlike many of his neighbors, he had two parents present in the household.” (Pg. 13)
He notes, “Suge found work doing security for Bobby Brown… At the time Brown was a bachelor who liked to make the scene at nightclubs… With Suge in tow, well-dressed Brown made the rounds almost every evening. Suge kept seeing the DOC (Tracy L. Curry) everywhere he went and struck up a friendship with the successful rapper… Suge would ask the DOC about his producer, Dr. Dre… A flamboyant man who … kept his head clean-shaven, and wore earrings on both ears along with the baggy clothes favored by local gang members… Dre was the most successful rap producer in the industry… Though Dre played the role of gang member (firing shotguns in bank-robbery scenes in violent N.W.A. music videos) the DOC revealed that that was just an image. Dre was the nicest guy you’d ever meet. As a bodyguard, Suge had seen the large sums of money earned by popular musicians… Suge began to formulate a plan… what he needed was for the DOC to introduce him to Dr. Dre. If Suge could somehow convince Dre to break his contract with Ruthless Records and join him at a new record label, they would both become very rich.” (Pg. 20-21)
After Death Row Records was founded, “Soon Suge began to hire ex-convicts … to keep watch over the office… The Death Row office was soon overrun with Bloods… These gang members sat on schools, chain-smoking… People who tried to chat with them were attacked… People who came to the office uninformed met these ex-convict gang members under less than ideal circumstances. Messengers and business associates had their pockets patted down and money taken… Suge wasn’t the type to take someone to court… Why pay an arm and a leg in legal costs when situations would be handled directly in minutes? If Suge felt someone was trying to cheat him, the offender would be dragged into a storeroom by his goons and pounded to a bloody pulp. Death Row employees went about their filing and faxing as blood-curdling shrieks filled the office.” (Pg. 102-103)
He notes, “At first Suge wasn’t a Tupac fan. He looked like any other wanna-be gangsta rapper glutting the market. But Tupac started getting into brawls, shooting off-duty cops, and facing accusations that he was a rapist. Sensing the potential for sales of albums built around Tupacls new outlaw image, Suge’s opinion changed. Tupac’s legal troubles would make him more appealing to Death Records’ core audience, the suburban white kids who went from listening to heavy metal acts … to buying millions of copies of gangsta rap albums. Suge…wanted to sign Tupac as soon as possible.” (Pg. 136)
He recounts, “Tupac’s friends warned him about the consequences of posing as a gang member onstage. Real gangsters would confront him, especially if he kept wearing those bandanas tied around his head… The summer Tupac was cast as a postal worker opposite Janet Jackson in director John Singleton’s ‘Poetic Justice.’ Singleton hoped the role would calm Tupac down. Before they filmed any kissing scenes, however, Janet Jackson insisted that Tupac be tested for HIV.” (Pg. 145)
He observes, “According to a number of young black males … Interscope Records [the distributor for Death Row] decided to turn a blind eye to the violence. [Interscope co-founder Jimmy] Iovine, they felt, knew Suge and his men had dragged Fade Duvernay out of the meeting and choked him in an adjacent office… Many people connected to Interscope felt, since Death Row was earning the label millions of dollars, Interscope could not afford to risk damaging the relationship because a few black employees were being threatened or slapped around… one Interscope employee explained, ‘But I never heard of no white boys getting whupped on.’” (Pg. 190)
After Tupac was imprisoned for sexual abuse, “Snoop Doggy Dogg pitied his old friend Tupac’s plight… Snoop said… ‘I told Suge, “We need ‘Pac on Death Row.” Suge agreed. Tupac was having trouble with Puffy. Now would be a good time to offer Tupac a contract. Suge made his offer. Behind bars, Tupac accepted. His friends urged him not to sign, but Tupac desperately wanted to be free… ‘I know I’m selling my soul to the devil,’ he said. ‘At that point,’ his mother, Afeni Shakur, claimed, ‘I don’t think he had any choice but to sign that contract.’ This was not entirely true. Tupac could have decided to refuse Suge’s offer and serve his time in prison—just like any other inmate.” (Pg. 249-250)
Ro explains, “When he signed to Death Row, thirty-two-year-old Hammer hoped his career would receive a much-needed boost. Suge hoped Hammer could recapture the hearts of the immense white audience that loved his single ‘You Can’t Touch This.’ Dr. Dre was disgusted by Hammer’s presence on what was supposed to be a gangsta rap label… He represented everything Dre spent a career insulting… As the relationship with Death Row soured, Dre saw Suge use subtle manipulation to sway artists to his side. Most artists were upset when they heard Suge’s version of why Dre did n appear at the courtroom during Snoop’s trial… ‘[Dre] would have saved Snoop’s whole case,’ said Tupac Shakur. ‘Dre never showed up. He was too busy. When they told me that, I was like, no matter how dope he is, and Dre is one of my heroes in the music business, if he’s not down for his homeboy Snoop---who brought him back when he was a relic---then I don’t wanna be around him.’” (Pg. 266-267)
On the night of the Mike Tyson fight, “Tray told Suge and Tupac … this guy was one of the Crips involved in that robbery in the summer… Tupac approached the guy… the Death Row entourage piled onto him, giving another of their trademark beatings… By participating, Tupac had crossed the line between rapping and gangbanging. After the assault, Suge and Tupac led the entourage through the casino like an occupying army. Hotel security approached the victim and urged him to file a report, but the guy refused and quietly left.” (Pg. 292) Suge and Tupac were both shot (Tupac fatally), as they were heading to the afterparty.
This book will be “must reading” for those interested in “gangsta rap,” Death Row Records, Suge Knight, Tupac Shakur, and similar topics.
August 22, 2019
Death Row Records, home to some of the biggest names in rap during the early-to-mid 1990's, made it no secret that the company was founded with drug money, palled around with the Bloods, handed out beat-downs and gang rapes for minor infractions, and hired people straight out of prison. Have gun will travel is a frightening read, one that will keep you at the edge of your seat in sheer disbelief. Death Row Records was a very violent entity, one modeled after the mob but too brazen to truly be like it.
July 5, 2023
Death Row Records, home to some of the biggest names in rap during the early-to-mid 1990's, made it no secret that the company was founded with drug money, palled around with the Bloods, handed out beat-downs and gang rapes for minor infractions, and hired people straight out of prison. Have gun will travel is a frightening read, one that will keep you at the edge of your seat in sheer disbelief. Death Row Records was a very violent entity, one modeled after the mob but too brazen to truly be like it.
March 30, 2020
Read this book before infamy was regularly associated with Suge. Thorough as can be up to the point of its publication. It could definitely benefit from an updated version as so much has happened with regard to this story. If you enjoyed the documentary, nightfall this is a must-read. Step back into the offices of the most notorious record label in music recording history and discover it's the complete origin.
August 6, 2025
This book was a crazy read. Non-stop action from beginning to end. Mr. Ro really caught the vibe of what was happening at that time. Being of major fan of rap, I still listen to Fly Girl, Roxanne, Roxanne's Revenge, anything by Run-DMC, etc; this period of rap is so horrifying. Ice Cube is a god, and Strait Outa Compton rules, but the amount of senseless death, horror, and heartache that "gangsta rap" created was brutal. Hard for me to watch Snoop Dog doing TV commercials when you know the things he was involved in, but we were all young at one time and everyone deserve's a second chance, I guess. And Suge is just an unbelieveable real life character, You couldn't make a more perfect gang-banging killing machine. One major gripe to Mr. Ro: Dr. J never played for the New York Knicks!
January 8, 2026
An interesting enough account of the Death Row Records saga with a definite anti-Tupac angle but, there'll never be a definitive truth of so much of what happened at that time.
Possibly could have got 4 stars, but, at times, it was oddly repetitive as if a string of articles had been thrown together without editing.
Possibly could have got 4 stars, but, at times, it was oddly repetitive as if a string of articles had been thrown together without editing.
March 15, 2020
Giving this 2 stars purely because it’s so badly written that it’s oddly fascinating. Like a car crash. I couldn’t put it down. Poorly researched, bizarrely paced, and completely lacking its own point of view.
July 3, 2025
I appreciate the hundreds of interviews that went into the crafting of the narrative. It was a bit repetitive, unclear and too wordy at some points but overall I enjoyed learning about the powerhouse that was Death Row Records.
April 24, 2016
An unseen, and highly unknown aspect to early 90's Hip Hop music from a label / management perspective, and how trouble surrounded the label Death Row Records.
For any fan of Hip Hop or as a fan of Death Row Records, this will be an interesting read, however Ronin Ro's bias is clear. According to him; 2Pac's recordings are classed as "childish", despite having one of the most renowned and respected music catalogues in not just Music in general, but also the wider black culture, to a point Universities' study his work. There's nothing wrong with not liking his work and letting this be known (not everyone likes Hip Hop, some don't like certain sub-genre's of Hip Hop, and some wouldn't even need to, to get some kind of enjoyment from the book), but not when on the same breath, artists like Notorious B.I.G. & Snoop Dogg are gaining praise for their work, which arguably talks more on sensitive topics in a glorified manner. Just little things like these are evident throughout the book.
After reading this book, and also knowing the history of music, black culture and of the label itself, it's clear that this book only provides a small serving on what could generate an entire volume of books to get a fuller insight. Too much for any one author.
For any fan of Hip Hop or as a fan of Death Row Records, this will be an interesting read, however Ronin Ro's bias is clear. According to him; 2Pac's recordings are classed as "childish", despite having one of the most renowned and respected music catalogues in not just Music in general, but also the wider black culture, to a point Universities' study his work. There's nothing wrong with not liking his work and letting this be known (not everyone likes Hip Hop, some don't like certain sub-genre's of Hip Hop, and some wouldn't even need to, to get some kind of enjoyment from the book), but not when on the same breath, artists like Notorious B.I.G. & Snoop Dogg are gaining praise for their work, which arguably talks more on sensitive topics in a glorified manner. Just little things like these are evident throughout the book.
After reading this book, and also knowing the history of music, black culture and of the label itself, it's clear that this book only provides a small serving on what could generate an entire volume of books to get a fuller insight. Too much for any one author.
March 12, 2008
I received this book as a birthday gift. If you've ever wondered what went on inside the infamous Death Row Records, this book is for you. Ronin Ro goes into detail about the origins of notorious California (WEST SIDE!) gangsta rap and Blood/Crip affiliations, as well as chronicled incidents with our faves Dr. Dre, Tupac, and Snoop.
Oh oh, wait a minute, hold up. Did I mention this book gives us the dealio about Suge Knight? If you've ever been curious as to how one man struck fear inside CEOs and basically ran a major record label using members of the Crips, intimidation tactics, and corruption, this book is for you.
The Rise and Fall of Death Row Records.
Oh oh, wait a minute, hold up. Did I mention this book gives us the dealio about Suge Knight? If you've ever been curious as to how one man struck fear inside CEOs and basically ran a major record label using members of the Crips, intimidation tactics, and corruption, this book is for you.
The Rise and Fall of Death Row Records.
April 16, 2007
Fast-paced, detailed account of the beginning and end of Death Row Records--and gangsta rap, in general. Every chapter is full of quotes and interviews with various rappers, industry figures, and gang members. One of the best nonfiction books I've read.
May 31, 2007
Entertaining story of the rise and fall of Death Row Records - a good read for those who were caught up in the heyday of gangsta rap or those who are interested in getting behind the scenes of the music industry.
August 26, 2007
The writing, stylistically, is pretty horrible. The stories within are absolutely fascinating, especially if you're a hip-hop fan, so you kind of forgive the bad writing. . . no one could have messed this book up.
January 30, 2024
Incredibly detailed history of west coast rap, specifically focusing on Death Row records.
I enjoyed how expansive the subject matter, including breaking down the origin of the medium, and how it branched out across the country and eventually into the world.
I enjoyed how expansive the subject matter, including breaking down the origin of the medium, and how it branched out across the country and eventually into the world.
June 28, 2012
A fascinating look into 'probably' one of the most fraudulent record labels in the history of music!
There are two things that you CANNOT take away from Death Row. Firstly, they released some of the best hip-hop albums ever and they killed Tupac!
A great read!
There are two things that you CANNOT take away from Death Row. Firstly, they released some of the best hip-hop albums ever and they killed Tupac!
A great read!
September 6, 2015
This book is a prime example of why you need a good editor. It's pretty clear this was rushed into print in the late 90s, but it's still surprising that a company like Doubleday would publish it in the shape it's in. The stories are good though.
April 17, 2008
Interesting take on Death Row Records, but I sensed a bit of Tupac prejudice or maybe that was just an author being truthful as opposed to adulatory.
July 10, 2014
Outrageously entertaining accoutn of Suge Knight's Death Row Records. Highly recommended for hip-hop heads.
October 2, 2010
powerful book.
December 22, 2012
It has been a long time since I read this, but recommend it for anyone studying the history of pop culture. A must read if you work in the music industry.
June 3, 2013
This violent and American story of Marion "Suge" Knight's rise from ghetto gang bully to rap music industry tough guy pioneer is an easy and eye-opening read.
May 14, 2015
The best part about the book is all the details. Great book for any hiphop fan.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews