To tell my story was the only way that I could let it go and move on to the next chapter of my life.
“Time Served- My Days and Nights on Death Row Records,” written by photographer Simone Green, is an excellent account of her experiences as a member of one of hip hop’s most successful record labels.
Green chronicles her time spent as a photographer for the infamous Death Row Records. Prior to landing a job on the label, Green snapped photos for legends like Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and Muhammad Ali.
“It’s a very accomplishing feeling,” Green said at her book release in Harlem, NY.
“Completion of a full circle, being a photographer as long as I’ve been I never imagined this. I always saw myself putting together a photo book. To work at Death Row Records to gain that experience through them , it was an experience and im really greatful for that. I enjoyed working at Death Row until all havoc broke loose.”
The story gets extremely interesting when Green jolts her hometown of Buffalo for California to help re-spark her career. In California, she has to face the death of two of her loved one’s she left behind. Green manages to land a few photography gigs but hits it big when she meets Dr. Dre through a mutual friend. From working with Dr. Dre to eventually catching the eye of Death Row CEO Suge Knight, Green’s eventful journey as an entertainment photographer provides exclusive insight on the happenings of West Coast hip-hop in the 90′s.
Death Row was about their money but you can’t mix thug with riches. When you’re making millions of dollars you don’t go beat somebody up, you don’t go shoot somebody. There’s some things I could’ve told that I didn’t because that’s not my story. I’m telling my story. -Simone Green
The book vividly takes the reader into Death Row’s offices and sheds some light on the gangster tactics used by the staff at the record label. In fact, Green’s first gig for Suge Knight was the blood family cookout.
From beginning to end this book draws the reader in. It’s exciting to follow Simone through her journey and reach the climax of her story and ending at one of hip-hop’s most lucrative labels ever, Death Row. The book also includes lots of never before seen photos!
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