Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we investigate the turbulent life of Marion "Suge" Knight, the imposing figure who helped commercialize gangsta rap before losing it all to the violence that defined his brand. We trace his origins from the football field—where he played for UNLV and briefly for the Los Angeles Rams during the 1987 strike—to his entry into the music business as a bodyguard and promoter,.

Join us as we discuss:

• The Death Row Dynasty: How Knight co-founded Death Row Records with Dr. Dre, turning it into the "Motown of the '90s" with massive hits like The Chronic and Doggystyle,.

• Tactics and intimidation: The stories behind his business dealings, from the alleged dangling of Vanilla Ice over a balcony to his infamous Source Awards speech targeting Sean Combs,.

• The Tupac Era: The $1.4 million bail deal that signed Tupac Shakur to the label and the subsequent drive-by shooting in Las Vegas that claimed the rapper's life,.

• The Downfall: The theories linking Knight to the murder of The Notorious B.I.G., the exodus of stars like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, and the label's eventual bankruptcy,,.

• The Verdict: The fatal 2015 hit-and-run incident on the set of Straight Outta Compton that resulted in Knight’s conviction for voluntary manslaughter and a 28-year prison sentence,.