From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Suge Knight made an impact.
Marion 'Suge' Knight Jr. is the co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records, a key label in the rise of gangsta rap in the 1990s, with albums like Dr. Dre's 'The Chronic' and Snoop Dogg's 'Doggystyle.' Formerly an NFL player, his career shifted to the music industry. In 2015, Knight was involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident and is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence.
From 1983 to 1985, Knight attended and played football at El Camino College.
In 1987, Suge Knight briefly played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams as a replacement player during the NFL players' strike.
In 1987, Suge Knight went undrafted in the NFL draft but was invited to the Los Angeles Rams training camp. He was later cut but became a replacement player during the 1987 NFL Players Strike, playing two games for the Rams.
In 1989, Suge Knight formed his own music publishing company and profited when Vanilla Ice signed over royalties from "Ice Ice Baby".
In April 1991, Suge Knight and his henchmen allegedly threatened Jerry Heller and Eazy-E to release Dr. Dre, The D.O.C., and Michel'le from their contracts. Subsequently, Dre, D.O.C. and Knight co-founded Death Row Records.
In 1992, Death Row Records released Dr. Dre's album The Chronic, which greatly contributed to gangsta rap's commercial success.
In 1992, Dr. Dre's solo debut album, The Chronic, released under Death Row Records, achieved triple platinum status in the United States by the end of 1993.
In 1993, Death Row Records released Snoop Dogg's album Doggystyle, which also contributed to gangsta rap's commercial success.
In 1993, Dr. Dre's solo debut album, The Chronic, released under Death Row Records in 1992 achieved triple platinum status in the United States
In 1994, M.C. Hammer's album The Funky Headhunter released.
In 1994, Snoop Dogg's debut album Doggystyle, released under Death Row Records, obtained a quadruple platinum certification in the United States.
In 1995, Tupac Shakur was serving a prison sentence, and that October, Suge Knight struck a deal with Shakur. Knight posted his $1.4 million bail to free him from prison pending an appeal and signed him to Death Row Records.
In 1995, with the success of The Funky Headhunter released in 1994, M.C. Hammer signed with Death Row Records along with Snoop Dogg and Tupac.
In March 1996, Dr. Dre, frustrated with Death Row's reputation and Suge Knight's behavior, left the label and formed Aftermath Entertainment.
In 1996, Death Row Records released Tupac Shakur's album All Eyez on Me, which became a commercial success. Later that year, after a Mike Tyson boxing match in Las Vegas, a group including Knight and Shakur assaulted Orlando Anderson. Hours later, someone shot into the car Knight was driving, injuring Knight and fatally wounding Shakur.
In 1996, Suge Knight offered to post bail for Tupac Shakur in exchange for signing with Death Row Records, leading to the release of albums All Eyez on Me and The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.
In 1996, after Tupac Shakur's death, M.C. Hammer left Death Row Records.
In 1998, M.C. Hammer released 2Pac's "Unconditional Love" on his Family Affair album.
In 1998, Snoop Dogg openly criticized Suge Knight for the murder of Tupac Shakur and left Death Row Records, signing with No Limit Records.
In 2002, Snoop Dogg released the song "Pimp Slapp'd", in which he repudiated Suge Knight and Death Row Records.
In June 2008, Death Row Records was put up for auction in Bankruptcy Court. Global Music Group won the bid, but failed to secure funding, and Wideawake Entertainment acquired the catalog.
In October 2023, Suge Knight co-founded a podcast with Breakbeat Media.
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