Snoop Dogg is taking legal action to remove his company from the wrongful death lawsuit filed in connection with the tragic passing of rapper Drakeo The Ruler. According to reports, the legendary West Coast artist filed a motion for summary judgment on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, arguing that he holds no culpability for the incident that occurred at a festival where he was a headlining performer.
Drakeo The Ruler, born Darrell Caldwell, was fatally stabbed during a backstage altercation at a concert on December 18, 2021. He was 28 years old. While Snoop Dogg was on the event’s lineup, his legal team maintains that his involvement was strictly limited to his performance. The motion asserts that neither the rapper nor his company witnessed the incident, participated in the events leading to the tragedy, or had any prior knowledge of the individuals responsible for the violence.
The civil suit, originally filed by the brother of the late rapper in 2022, seeks damages based on allegations of inadequate security at the event. Other entities named as defendants in the $20 million lawsuit include Live Nation, the University of Southern California, Los Angeles FC, and the booking agency Bobby Dee Presents. Notably, the University of Southern California, Los Angeles FC, and Bobby Dee Presents were dismissed from the litigation earlier this year.
Nearly five years after the incident, the investigation into the death of Drakeo The Ruler remains open and unsolved. Despite video evidence captured by bystanders at the scene, no arrests have been made, and law enforcement has yet to publicly identify any suspects, a situation largely attributed to a lack of witness cooperation.
XXL has reached out to the team representing Snoop Dogg for further comment on the filing.