Childhood and Education Journey of Suge Knight in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Suge Knight. A timeline of key moments.

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

April 19, 1965: Suge Knight's Birth

On April 19, 1965, Marion Hugh "Suge" Knight Jr. was born. He later became a record executive and co-founder of Death Row Records.

Others born on this day/year

1983: El Camino College enrollment

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

1983: High School Graduation

In 1983, Suge Knight graduated from Lynwood High School, where he was a football and track star.

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.

November 3, 1989: Marriage to Sharitha Lee Golden

On November 3, 1989, Suge Knight married Sharitha Lee Golden in Las Vegas.

1995: Feud with Luther Campbell and opening of Club 662

In 1995, Death Row Records began a public feud with 2 Live Crew's Luther Campbell. That same year, Suge Knight opened a private nightclub in Las Vegas called Club 662 and faced criticism from C. Delores Tucker.

September 7, 1996: Shooting of Tupac Shakur

On September 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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.

March 9, 1997: Murder of The Notorious B.I.G.

On March 9, 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, leading to speculation about Suge Knight's involvement.

2000: Murder Attempt on Poochie

In 2000, Wardell "Poochie" Fouse, who Kading alleged was hired by Knight to kill Biggie, survived a murder attempt.

August 6, 2001: Early Release from Prison

On August 6, 2001, Knight was granted early release and let out of FCI Sheridan.

2003: Death of Poochie

In 2003, Wardell "Poochie" Fouse, who Kading alleged was hired by Knight to kill Biggie, was killed.

2005: Report on Biggie's Murder

In 2005, Chuck Philips of the Los Angeles Times reported that a source for the theory of Biggie's murder implicating Amir Muhammad, David Mack, Suge Knight and the LAPD was a schizophrenic man known as "Psycho Mike" who later confessed to hearsay and memory lapses and falsely identifying Muhammad.

April 4, 2006: Bankruptcy Filing

On April 4, 2006, Suge Knight filed for bankruptcy due to civil litigation, with claims of being cheated out of a 50% stake in Death Row Records. His financial records revealed minimal assets and income.

July 7, 2006: Bankruptcy Trustee Takeover of Death Row Records

On July 7, 2006, federal judge Ellen Carroll ordered a bankruptcy trustee takeover of Suge Knight's Death Row Records, citing gross mismanagement.

2006: Law-Enforcement Task Force Probe

In 2006, a law-enforcement task force probe into Biggie's murder, included the murder of Tupac Shakur.

June 2007: Listing Malibu Home for Sale

In June 2007, Suge Knight listed his Malibu home for $6.2 million as part of his "financial makeover".

December 2008: Sale of Malibu Mansion

In December 2008, Suge Knight's Malibu mansion was sold in bankruptcy court for $4.56 million.

January 25, 2009: Death Row Records Office Auction

On January 25, 2009, an auction was held for items found in the Death Row Records office after the company's bankruptcy. The electric chair sold for $2,500, and some items appeared on A&E's Storage Wars, where Barry Weiss purchased a vault full of items.

2010: Dismissal of Wallace Family Lawsuit

In 2010, the lawsuit brought by the Wallace family against the city of Los Angeles, based on the Russell Poole theory regarding Biggie's death, was dismissed.

2011: Publication of Murder Rap

In 2011, Greg Kading self-published his book, Murder Rap, where he wrote about Duane "Keefe D" Davis' confession regarding the shooting of Tupac Shakur and alleged Sean Combs' involvement.

2015: Voluntary Manslaughter Hit-and-Run

In 2015, Suge Knight was involved in a fatal hit and run incident.

2015: Fatal hit-and-run

In 2015, Suge Knight was involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident, for which he is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence.

September 2018: No Contest Plea and Sentencing

In September 2018, Suge Knight pled no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the 2015 hit-and-run case. Due to California's three-strikes law, he was sentenced to 28 years in prison.