After 5 years of waiting for the highly anticipated
album Say Hi To The Bad Guy, Crooked I has officially severed all ties
and legally left, Death Row Records and has inked a deal with Universal.
Rumors that Crooked I was planning to leave the
label this year began when the Los Angeles-born, Long Beach-bred emcee came
out with his own venture, Dynasty Entertainment/Dynasty Records.
Although at the time, he was still contracted
with Death Row, reasons for his departure were unknown. Rumors that he left
Death Row due to jealously over Kurupt’s album Against The Grain being
released first were quickly dismissed by the rapper.
"If that was the case I would have left
Death Row a long time ago when Too Gangsta For Radio, Dogg Pound 2002,
the Dysfunktional Family soundtrack, and the 2pac Nu Mixx Klazzics
albums were released," Crooked I said. "My album was supposed
to be released before all four of those albums. I don’t have a jealous bone
in my body."
He then went on to congratulate Kurupt on his
album Against The Grain and urged fans to support the release.
The rapper who last year, along with Kurupt and
Danny Boy, were helping to re-shape Death Row into a formidable force in the
music industry, told AllHipHop.com that he left with no bad feelings towards
CEO, Marion "Suge" Knight or Death Row Records.
"I just had to do what I had to do"
Crooked I said.
Crooked I’s upcoming untitled album is due later
this year and will be released on his own Dynasty Records, distributed through
Universal.