Suge Knight
Suge Knight, the music mogul and former CEO of Death Row Records, filed for bankruptcy in 2006 in a bid to protect his assets. Knight, whose real name is Marion Hugh Knight Jr., was formerly known for his success and influence in the hip-hop business.
The bankruptcy filing came after years of legal troubles and financial difficulties for Knight which only got worse after he filed. Knight was once a powerful figure in the music industry. He co-founded Death Row Records in the early 1990s, which was responsible for some of the biggest hits in hip-hop history. He was also closely associated with Dr. Dre, Tupac Shakur, and other iconic artists.He was a key player in the gangster rap scene that flourished in the 1990s. Knight lost control of the company after it was forced into bankruptcy.
He had prior felony convictions and served time for armed robbery and assault with a gun when he pleaded no contest in 1995 and was sentenced to five years’ probation for assaulting two rap entertainers at a Hollywood recording studio in 1992. In 2018, he was convicted of manslaughter for running over and killing a man in a hit-and-run incident and is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for that crime.
Knight’s bankruptcy filings showed that he owed more than $100 million in debt, including unpaid taxes, legal fees, and other personal expenses, and had just over $50,000 in cash, with no real estate or other significant holdings. His income is listed as zero, as he is unable to work while in prison. The bankruptcy court ordered that Death Row Records be taken over by a court appointed trustee and then sold.
Knight’s bankruptcy filing is a reminder of the ups and downs of the music industry, where success can be fleeting, and financial stability is never guaranteed. It also underscores the importance of financial management and planning, even for those who appear to be at the top of their game.
As Knight faces a long prison sentence and an uncertain financial future, his legacy in the music industry will no doubt be remembered, both for his successes and his troubles.