Suge Knight's Net Worth (Updated 2022) | Wealthy Gorilla

Net Worth:	$200 Thousand
Age:	60
Born:	April 19, 1965
Gender:	Male
Height:	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Country of Origin:	United States of America
Source of Wealth:	Professional Record Producer
Last Updated:	Jan 1, 2026

Table of Contents

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• Introduction
• Football Career
• Death Row Records
• Financial Issues & Bankruptcy
• Impact On West Coast Hip-Hop

Introduction

Suge Knight is an American record producer, former football player, and music executive with an estimated net worth of $200 Thousand.

Knight is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Death Row Records. Throughout his career, he has worked with worldwide stars such as Dr. Dre, Tupac Shakur, Outlawz, and Tha Dogg Pound.

Quick Facts

• Knight and Death Row received a $107 million fraud judgment in 2005
• Filed for bankruptcy in 2006, with debts exceeding $100 million
• Death Row’s assets were sold at auction for $24 million

Football Career

Suge Knight, born Marion Hugh Knight Jr., started his career in the music industry in the late 1980s but was also a talented athlete. He played football for El Camino College from 1983 to 1985 and then played for two years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Although Knight was invited to the Los Angeles Rams training camp, he was not selected in the 1987 NFL Draft. The Rams cut him during training camp, but he joined the 1987 NFL Players Strike as a substitute player and appeared in two Rams games.

Death Row Records

Initially, he worked as a concert promoter and bodyguard for celebrities like Bobby Brown, working his way into the music industry. Knight’s big break came when he co-founded Death Row Records in 1991 alongside Dr. Dre and The D.O.C., which was an unexpected move from the big man. This record label would become one of the most influential entities in hip-hop history, producing some of the genre’s most iconic artists and albums.

Death Row Records quickly became a powerhouse in the music industry, largely due to the success of Dr. Dre’s 1992 debut album, The Chronic. The album’s success established Dr. Dre as a solo artist and solidified Death Row Records’ reputation along with Knight.

Knight played a crucial role in the label’s operations, leveraging his business acumen and industry connections to promote and distribute their music. The label’s roster soon included legendary artists such as Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, and MC Hammer, each contributing to its legacy.

Financial Issues & Bankruptcy

Knight has experienced numerous significant financial and legal troubles throughout his career, which ultimately led to the downfall of his music empire.

In 2005, a $107 million judgment of fraud and breach of contract was issued against Knight and Death Row Records in favor of Lydia Harris, who, along with her husband, claimed to have invested $1.5 million in the label’s founding.

Knight and Death Row filed for bankruptcy in 2006, citing debts exceeding $100 million. A federal judge later ordered a trustee to take over Death Row Records, noting gross mismanagement and Knight’s decade-long lack of financial oversight. In 2009, the label’s assets, including its music catalog, were auctioned for $24 million. This marked the end of an era for Death Row, once one of the most influential labels in hip-hop.

While the $107 million judgment was controversially voided in 2019 due to questions over its legality, Knight remains embroiled in ongoing legal and financial challenges. He manages what remains of his business dealings from behind bars, a stark contrast to his former dominance in the music industry.

Impact On West Coast Hip-Hop

Given the company’s stellar success, his role in West Coast hip-hop’s rise and Death Row Records’s impact cannot be understated. Knight’s ability to identify and nurture talent helped launch the careers of some of the most iconic artists in hip-hop history. Performers like DJ Yella and some of the richest DJs in the world owe their success to Death Row Records and Knight.

His legal troubles and involvement in violent incidents have cast a shadow over his contributions, leading to a mixed legacy that continues to be debated. Suge Knight’s career provides an insight into the highs and lows of the music industry, especially the Rap industry’s violent past.

From his early success with Death Row Records to his legal troubles, Knight’s journey reflects the volatile nature of rap culture. Despite the controversies, his impact on hip-hop culture is undeniable, and his contributions to the genre have left a lasting legacy. Knight’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of excess and the importance of maintaining integrity as the music industry continues to evolve.