Career Timeline of Suge Knight: Major Achievements and Milestones

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.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1983: El Camino College enrollment

From 1983 to 1985, Knight attended and played football at El Camino College.

1985: Transfer to University of Nevada, Las Vegas

In 1985, Suge Knight transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he played football for two years.

1987: Brief NFL Career

In 1987, Suge Knight briefly played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams as a replacement player during the NFL players' strike.

1987: NFL Draft and Replacement Player

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.

1989: Formation of Music Publishing Company

In 1989, Suge Knight formed his own music publishing company and profited when Vanilla Ice signed over royalties from "Ice Ice Baby".

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April 1991: Threats to Release Dre, The D.O.C., and Michel'le and Founding of Death Row Records

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.

1992: Dr. Dre's The Chronic release

In 1992, Death Row Records released Dr. Dre's album The Chronic, which greatly contributed to gangsta rap's commercial success.

1992: The Chronic's 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.

1993: Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle release

In 1993, Death Row Records released Snoop Dogg's album Doggystyle, which also contributed to gangsta rap's commercial success.

1993: Triple platinum status of The Chronic

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

1994: The Funky Headhunter Release

In 1994, M.C. Hammer's album The Funky Headhunter released.

1994: Doggystyle's Success

In 1994, Snoop Dogg's debut album Doggystyle, released under Death Row Records, obtained a quadruple platinum certification in the United States.

1995: Tupac Shakur's Prison Sentence and Deal with Knight

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.

1995: Hammer signs with 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.

March 1996: Dr. Dre Leaves Death Row Records

In March 1996, Dr. Dre, frustrated with Death Row's reputation and Suge Knight's behavior, left the label and formed Aftermath Entertainment.

1996: Release of All Eyez on Me and Assault in Las Vegas

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.

1996: Signing Tupac Shakur to Death Row Records

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.

1996: Hammer Leaves Death Row Records after Tupac's Death

In 1996, after Tupac Shakur's death, M.C. Hammer left Death Row Records.

1998: Hammer releases 2Pac's Unconditional Love

In 1998, M.C. Hammer released 2Pac's "Unconditional Love" on his Family Affair album.

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1998: Snoop Dogg Leaves Death Row Records

In 1998, Snoop Dogg openly criticized Suge Knight for the murder of Tupac Shakur and left Death Row Records, signing with No Limit Records.

2002: Release of "Pimp Slapp'd"

In 2002, Snoop Dogg released the song "Pimp Slapp'd", in which he repudiated Suge Knight and Death Row Records.

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June 2008: Death Row Records Auction

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.