Snoop Dogg’s Company Denies Responsibility In Drakeo the Ruler Backstage Killing

Drakeo the Ruler appears on the cover of his posthumous album “The Undisputed Truth.” Snoop Dogg’s LLC is seeking dismissal from a wrongful death lawsuit tied to Drakeo’s fatal stabbing at the 2021 “Once Upon a Time in L.A.” festival. (Cover art by Gallery Provence)

Snoop Dogg’s company is asking a Los Angeles judge to cut it loose from litigation over the fatal backstage stabbing of Drakeo the Ruler, arguing that its connection to the 2021 festival ended with Snoop Dogg being booked to perform.

In legal documents obtained by TMZ and reported Wednesday, Snoop Dogg’s LLC moved for summary judgment in a case brought by Drakeo’s brother, Devante Caldwell, and others, contending the company had no role in producing, managing or securing the "Once Upon a Time in L.A." festival.

Drakeo the Ruler, whose legal name was Darrell Caldwell, was stabbed in a backstage all-access area at Exposition Park on Dec. 18, 2021, shortly before he was scheduled to perform. Lawsuits stemming from the attack allege his entourage was overwhelmed by a large group after security failures allowed unauthorized people into a restricted area.

Caldwell, known for a distinctly original, whisper-like flow often described as "nervous music," was a towering figure in the modern Los Angeles underground scene. He was widely respected for his relentless creative drive, most notably recording his critically acclaimed 2020 mixtape, "Thank You for Using GTL," over a jail phone line while awaiting trial at Men’s Central Jail. He had been acquitted of murder and attempted murder charges, but remained jailed as prosecutors pursued additional charges. He later pleaded to conspiracy charges and was released in November 2020.

In early 2022, separate civil actions were filed by relatives and representatives connected to Caldwell, including his brother Devante Caldwell, his mother, Darrylene Corniel, and his son through guardian ad litem Tianna Purtue. The lawsuits targeted primary promoter Live Nation, C3 Presents, Bobby Dee Presents, Snoop Dogg’s LLC, venue-related entities and security companies, accusing organizers of failing to provide adequate security despite alleged foreseeable risks.

One complaint stated that "Drakeo and his group fought for their lives against insurmountable odds, shocked and horrified at the fact that no security ever materialized to intervene."

According to the new legal documents obtained by TMZ, Snoop Dogg’s LLC argues it had no involvement in festival operations and cannot be held liable. The filing states the company never signed a lease or license agreement, held no ownership or leasehold interest in Exposition Park and was not responsible for hiring or managing the event’s security detail.

The documents further state that no one from Snoop Dogg’s company witnessed or participated in Caldwell’s death, nor did they have any relationship with the assailants. After the tragedy in 2021, Snoop Dogg released a statement expressing condolences and saying he was in his dressing room when he was informed of the incident. He said he chose to leave the festival grounds and closed with, "IM PRAYING FOR PEACE IN HIP HOP."

The latest move by Snoop Dogg’s LLC follows a wave of successful dismissals for other defendants. Earlier this month, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Montgomery granted summary judgments removing the Los Angeles Football Club and Bobby Dee Presents from the case. The festival was held at what was then Banc of California Stadium, now BMO Stadium, in Exposition Park.

Bobby Dee Presents served as the booking agent for Snoop Dogg, one of the festival’s marquee headliners. In court papers, lawyers for the company wrote that it did not organize or produce the festival, did not hire security, did not establish or implement the security plan and did not own the land where the concert was held.

Montgomery agreed, finding that the plaintiffs had not shown that the booking company or stadium-related defendants violated an obligation to protect Caldwell.

While the roster of defendants continues to narrow, the core accusations regarding crowd control and festival safety remain directed at the remaining defendants, including Live Nation. A final status conference is scheduled for Sept. 8.