Suge Knight Reveals 2Pac’s Beef With Da Brat and Snoop Dogg’s Missed Opportunity on “Toss It Up”

Suge Knight recently shared behind-the-scenes details about Tupac Shakur’s track “Toss It Up,” shedding light on a beef with Da Brat and Snoop Dogg’s absence from the song. The revelation provides insight into the dynamics of Death Row Records during its peak and the tensions that shaped the careers of its artists.

Suge explained that “Toss It Up” was initially created under unique circumstances. The beat was inspired by Teddy Riley’s production, but controversy arose when Andre Harrell, a key figure in the music industry, took a shot at Snoop Dogg in the song’s intro. The line, “Even a dog can’t do this,” was perceived as a direct jab at Snoop.

Tupac, noticing the diss, confronted Suge in the studio, expressing frustration over the disrespect aimed at their labelmate. Tupac decided to retaliate by recording his own version of the track.

Snoop Dogg was originally slated to feature on “Toss It Up,” but he didn’t show up for the recording session. Tupac was upset by Snoop’s absence, feeling betrayed by someone he had stood up for.

Despite his frustration, Tupac acknowledged Snoop’s place on Death Row Records and moved forward with the track. Tupac went into the booth and delivered his verses with intensity, addressing Andre Harrell and other industry figures.

However, the final version of “Toss It Up” faced complications. Jimmy Iovine, a prominent executive at Interscope Records, intervened after Teddy Riley and Blackstreet expressed concerns over the song’s similarity to their work. This led to changes in the production, which Suge believes disrupted the groove of the track.

Suge also shared a humorous anecdote about the “Toss It Up” music video. Aaron Hall, a singer expected to appear in the video, made excessive demands, including traveling with multiple dogs.

Suge refused to accommodate Hall’s requests and instead held a lookalike contest to replace him. The impersonator’s performance was so convincing that even Aaron Hall himself thought he had been featured in the video.

Beyond “Toss It Up,” Suge reflected on Tupac’s larger-than-life persona and his willingness to fight for justice and his community. Suge revealed the emotional toll of losing Tupac, emphasizing their close bond.

He also discussed the challenges Death Row Records faced, including conflicts with law enforcement and the music industry’s predominantly white ownership.

Suge touched on Tupac’s beef with Da Brat, stemming from her association with people Tupac considered fake. Tupac also felt that Da Brat’s early image, crafted by Jermaine Dupri, was too similar to Snoop Dogg’s persona. Despite this, Tupac maintained a deep respect for Snoop and treated him as family.

Suge’s candid account highlights the complexities of Death Row Records, the personal dynamics between its artists, and the pressures of the music industry. “Toss It Up” serves as a snapshot of an era defined by creativity, rivalry, and the relentless pursuit of success.