Where Is Suge Knight Currently? Exploring the Music Executive’s Career and the Crime That Led to a 28-Year Prison Sentence

Key Facts:

• Suge Knight is currently serving a 28-year sentence for a 2015 hit-and-run incident.
• The former music mogul faced various legal troubles throughout his career, including multiple charges of assault and weapon possession.
• He is mentioned in the newly released Netflix docuseries, Sean Combs: The Reckoning.
• Knight will not be eligible for parole until 2034.

Marion "Suge" Knight, the notorious founder of Death Row Records, is serving a 28-year prison sentence after pleading no contest to a fatal hit-and-run in 2015. Knights criminal history dates back to his early days in the music industry, where his reputation was tainted by frequent legal issues, including allegations of violence and gun offenses.

Before his incarceration, Knight played a pivotal role in the rise of Death Row Records, a powerhouse label that launched the careers of artists such as Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg. His tenure in the music industry was marred by violent confrontations, including involvement in the ongoing mystery surrounding the murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G.

Despite being behind bars for nearly a decade, Knight has remained a public figure, occasionally speaking out from prison about his case and his longstanding rivalry with Sean Diddy Combs, which has been featured in the Sean Combs: The Reckoning docuseries on Netflix. In addition, Knight attempted to appeal his conviction, though his appeal was rejected in 2025, leaving him with a lengthy wait until he is eligible for parole in 2034.

Who Is Suge Knight?

Born and raised in Compton, California, in the 1970s, Suge Knight initially gained recognition as a football player. He briefly played for the Los Angeles Rams in 1987 before transitioning into the music business. Knight first worked as security for artist Bobby Brown, later establishing his own management company. In 1991, he co-founded Death Row Records with Dr. Dre, and the label quickly became a major force in the hip-hop world. Notable artists such as Snoop Dogg, MC Hammer, and Tupac Shakur joined Death Row during its heyday.

During this time, Death Row Records was embroiled in a bitter feud with East Coast rival Bad Boy Records, run by Sean Combs and home to artists like Notorious B.I.G. Throughout his career, Knight found himself repeatedly in legal trouble, with allegations of assault, gun possession, and connections to violent incidents surrounding his label. Some even speculated that he was linked to the deaths of Tupac and Biggie, although no charges were ever filed against him for either case.

Legal Troubles Leading Up to His Prison Sentence

Knights legal issues date back to the early '90s. In 1992, he was involved in an incident where he allegedly beat several men at gunpoint, for which he received a suspended sentence. He also served a five-year sentence in the late '90s for an assault at the MGM Grand Hotel. Over the years, Knight had several run-ins with the law, including parole violations, shootings, and accusations of violence.

One notable incident occurred in 2005, when Knight was shot in the leg at an MTV VMAs party hosted by Kanye West. Just nine years later, in 2014, Knight was shot six times at another pre-VMA event. These violent episodes were followed by a string of other criminal charges, including stealing a photographers camera in 2014, just months before the fatal incident that led to his current prison sentence.

The 2015 Hit-and-Run Incident

In January 2015, Knight became involved in a deadly hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of businessman Terry Carter. The altercation took place on the set of the Straight Outta Compton biopic, where tensions flared between Knight and Cle "Bone" Sloan, a former N.W.A member. Carter attempted to mediate the dispute and met Knight at a restaurant. However, after a physical confrontation, Knight drove his truck at Carter and Sloan, fatally striking Carter and injuring Sloan. Carter died at the scene, and Sloan survived the attack.

Following the incident, Knight was arrested and initially charged with murder and attempted murder. However, in 2018, Knight pled no contest to voluntary manslaughter. This plea also resolved several other charges, including allegations of criminal threats and theft. Knight was sentenced to 28 years in prison for the manslaughter charge, as well as additional time for other charges, including the use of a deadly weapon and the violation of prior probation.

Appeal and Legal Developments

In 2023, Knight filed an appeal, claiming that his conviction was improperly imposed and that he was coerced into taking a plea deal. His appeal was rejected in March 2025, with a judge stating that Knights claims of coercion were without merit. He remains incarcerated at the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, where he is serving his sentence until his parole eligibility in 2034.

The Current Situation

Despite his prison sentence, Knight has not disappeared from the public eye. In October 2023, he launched a podcast titled Collect Call with Suge Knight, where he discusses his past, his ongoing feuds, and current events in the hip-hop world. Knight has also continued to voice his opinions about various issues, including a public critique of Snoop Dogg's ownership of Death Row Records, a claim that Snoop has denied.

Over the years, Knight has also experienced a number of health issues, including blindness in one eye, blood clots, and a collapse in court in 2015. He has expressed concerns about the quality of his medical treatment while incarcerated and has continued to remain vocal about his treatment by the criminal justice system.

When Will Suge Knight Be Released?

Knight is scheduled to be eligible for parole in October 2034, after serving a minimum of 19 years of his 28-year sentence. While his attempts to appeal his sentence have so far been unsuccessful, Knight continues to maintain a presence in the media, offering his perspective on past events and ongoing developments in the music industry.

As Knight serves out his sentence, his story remains one of controversy and infamy, shaped by both his career in the music industry and the legal troubles that ultimately landed him in prison.

Author: Sophia Brooks