The East Coast/West Coast Rivalry Ruined Suge Knight’s Life

Popularizing Gangsta Rap

The man who brought “gangsta” rap into the mainstream music industry was recently sentenced to 28 years in prison. In a lot of ways, ex-rap mogul Suge Knight is one of the most crucial figures who shaped the bloody yet glorious era of hip hop. He is the founder of Death Rows Records, the record label which helped launch the career of rap legends like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.

Suge Knight posing for a photograph walking down the street

Photo by David Klein / Getty Images

However, Suge Knight was known for his violent temper and extreme outbursts. In September 2018, Knight was sentenced to jail for a fatal hit-and-run. One of the victim’s daughters described the music producer as “truly a disgusting, selfish disgrace to the human species.”