Bishop Lamont Leaves Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Label, Walks Away With Masters

After nearly five years of sitting on the bench, waiting for a release date for his debut album, Bishop Lamont is a free man. Yes, he’s officially off Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label.

During a recent radio interview with The All Out Show (with Rude Jude and Lord Sear), the west coast rapper revealed that he’s been working behind-the-scenes for some time to part ways with his longtime label, and finally got the ok.

“It was ‘Shawshank Redemption’, and finally, I’m pleased to announce — because there’s no gag orders, any legalities … my lawyer told me I can speak — I’m f***in’ free! I’m a free agent,” an excited Bishop said. “I still love them over there, but thank God. It was ‘Shawshank Redemption’ n****. I was going out to the prison yard, shaking gravel out my pants every day, going back in trying to crawl through the sewer.”

While Bishop didn’t explain, in detail, the politics and/or conflicts behind his desire to leave, he did say he started to feel like his solo debut was becoming a myth like Dre’s long awaited Detox record. And, with most of his music never seeing the light of day, it was time for a change.

“After almost five years of sitting there and working with every producer in the world, it’s kinda unfair to the fans and my family, and myself to keep telling people something when the release dates change,” the rapper explained. “People are waiting. People are anticipating. [They be like] ‘When’s it gonna happen?’ After a while, it’s just like ‘Damn.’ It kinda becomes like my album is Detox like, ‘When is it coming?’

“I can’t afford that kinda situation. I signed in 2006. A n**** is 31 now. … That’s simply what it is and it feels so good,” Bishop continued.

He didn’t walk away empty handed though. According to Bishop, Dre allowed him to leave with the masters to more than 700 songs he recorded while signed to his label. So, he says he’s got music ready to go.

However, Bishop made it clear that the split was amicable, and that he and Dre are still on good terms. He says Dre has so many business ventures on his plate, breaking a new artist like himself isn’t a high priority.

“[Dre’s] got other obligations and responsibilities that’s bigger than breaking new artists,” the rapper said. “It becomes a corporate situation. If you don’t understand the business side, it can put a strain on your personal sh**, and think it’s intentional. That’s not the case.”

Bishop Lamont has been in New York, secretly, over the past week “having fun, taking meetings and things.”

It’s still unknown what his current plans are, musically, and if his meetings where to potentially sign with new record label.

Stories and posts contributed by the BallerStatus staff and editors.

15 comments

  1. Funny how he said he still love them, but compare his release to a prison break. That is such a conflicting statement, you don’t say you escape from people you love.

  3. Can’t blame you homey for trying to do you. Damn Busta, Rakim, and others could’nt mess with Dre nomore, he is lost in the Corporate world. He rather try to sell us the consumer some expensive ass headphones than drop his album Hmmm…What’s it called again? Anyway Dre’s albume will never come to fruition.

  4. Over the years, Dr. Dre (Aftermath Entertainment) has lost quite a few people. I stumbled on Bishop Lamont by mistake, while DL’ing some stuff on LimeWire and I will say this one thing – The Dude is The TRUTH on the mic. I’m from NY and put all my peoples onto him…this is a major loss; I hope his music all gets released and he sees the light of day artistically. I am just skeptic how he would rock it, on a plethora of Non-Dre beats. We all still bump – Grow Up!!

  6. I never heard him rap but he needs to start spitting sh*t out if he ever wanna get somewhere

  7. I’m glad that bishop is out of aftermath after almost 4 years without album.Dr.Dre cares about myself then his artist so Bishop needs to move on so best of luck to him

  8. Dre must have alot on his mind – I think he should hang it up cause ain’t shit popping. Nothing but the best lamont.

  9. the shit makes me like for real dislike dre. he’s never kept an artist. like ever. everyone leaves, like everyone. eminem is the only one actually and he proved to be the cash cow dre needed for life. busta rhymes and truth hurts should be happy they @ least dropped. dre has done this shit to countless artists. and even to himself. its bullshit

  11. lol I wuz just thinkin wuz diz nigga gon drop I guess dre back fkn wit game

  13. Dont he look like 50 Cent in the picture above? Dre has to put out Detox this year or..fans might not care once it does come out. I mean how many years this album in the making? 8, 9… TEN YEARS ALREADY? WTF? That ish better be the hottest album in a long time by any artist…and better not get beat by Susan Boyles album when she come out again!

  14. If u aint em, then u mind as well leave aftermath. No one is coming out over there. Ur just tax write offs. Game would still be on the shelf had 50 not took on that responsibility. He’s a good producer, but he’s not into being a label owner. This man cares less about dropping albums as long as them em checks keep rolling in. Can’t blame dre, I would be the same way.

  15. Bishop Lamont was DOOOPE. SMH at fools sayin they never liked him. Nigger Noise, Pope Mobile, (the CLASSIC)Caltroit, The Confessional…come on. Hallelujah, Grow Up, Friends, Sometimez feat. Mike Ant., Bitches on My Dick, all these songs are hits. Ya’ll some suckas sayin “ah he aint a star”…bitch this isn’t American Idol, its hip hop. Nas aint a star but he’s one of the GOATs. Fuck star status like Drake and Lil Wayne, that shits for the girls. That aint hip hop

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