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Suge Knight

Marion Hugh “Suge” Knight Jr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Marion Hugh “Suge” Knight Jr. is an American music executive and former record label co-founder best known for helping launch Death Row Records in the early 1990s. He played a major role in West Coast hip-hop during that era and later became widely known for legal troubles and a prison sentence.

Early life

Suge Knight was born Marion Hugh Knight Jr. in Compton, California, in 1965. His nickname came from “Sugar Bear,” a childhood moniker.

Death Row Records

Knight co-founded Death Row Records with Dr. Dre and became a central figure in 1990s West Coast hip-hop. The label was closely associated with major commercial successes by artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur.

Knight became known for repeated legal problems over many years. He was later sentenced to 28 years in prison after pleading no contest to a voluntary manslaughter charge related to a 2015 hit-and-run incident. He is eligible for parole in October 2034.

Public image and legacy

Knight has been a controversial figure in music history, with his career often discussed alongside the rise of gangsta rap and the East Coast–West Coast rivalry. His influence on 1990s hip-hop is widely recognized, alongside his notoriety for violence and litigation.

Key facts

  • Knight co-founded Death Row Records with Dr. Dre in the early 1990s.
  • Death Row Records became one of the most influential labels in West Coast rap.
  • He was convicted in connection with a 2015 hit-and-run death and sentenced to 28 years in prison.
  • He is eligible for parole in October 2034.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Suge Knight?
Suge Knight is an American music executive best known as a co-founder of Death Row Records.
What is Suge Knight's real name?
His birth name is Marion Hugh Knight Jr.
What is Suge Knight famous for?
He is famous for helping build Death Row Records into a major force in 1990s West Coast hip-hop.
Why is Suge Knight in prison?
He was sentenced to 28 years after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter connected to a 2015 hit-and-run death.
When can Suge Knight be eligible for parole?
He is reported to be eligible for parole in October 2034.
What artists were linked to Death Row Records?
The label is closely associated with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suge_Knight
    Supports: Birth name, birth date and place, nickname, occupations, years active, and prison sentence/parole eligibility.
  2. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/business-leaders/a45875880/suge-knight
    Supports: Birth details, role in founding Death Row Records, and overview of his career and controversies.
  3. Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-suge-knight-timeline-20180920-story.html
    Supports: No contest plea to voluntary manslaughter and 28-year sentence in connection with the 2015 hit-and-run case.
  4. People — https://people.com/where-is-suge-knight-now-11861062
    Supports: Current imprisonment and parole eligibility in October 2034.
  5. TIME — https://time.com/3827121/suge-knight/
    Supports: Nickname origin, birth details, and historical significance of Death Row Records in 1990s hip-hop.
  6. Andscape — https://www.andscape.com/features/life-before-death-row-brief-football-career-suge-knight-espn-30-for-30-year-of-the-scab/
    Supports: Early career, bodyguard work, and partnership with Dr. Dre to create Death Row Records.