It looks like Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight is hard up for cash. After filing bankruptcy in 2006, the once-feared label head lost all of Death Row's assets, which included original 2Pac, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg recordings, when they were auctioned off to the highest bidder this past summer.
Now, Knight is suing Kanye West for the loss of a $135,000 diamond earring that he claims was stolen from him during melee caused by a shooting in a Miami club. Knight was shot in the leg at West's 2005 pre-MTV Video Music Awards party. According to the lawsuit, the former mogul blames West for allowing the shooter to smuggle a weapon in the party, which Knight claims led to his shooting.
"It was reasonably foreseeable to defendants that the party would present a dangerous environment with the possibility of weapons (including firearms) being used by or against party guests given the well-known feuds that have at times pitched East Coast rap and hip-hop stars against West Coast rap and hip-hop stars, some of whom would be attending the party with their associates," the lawsuit reads. The suit goes on to add that "certain hip-hop artists who were invited to the party ... were known not to be friendly to Mr. Knight."
West has not released a statement or commented on the matter.
Kanye West Pictures
Leslie Mann, Kanye West and Producer Judd Apatow at the Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express" on July 31, 2008 at Mann Village Theatre, CA..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express".Mann Villate Theatre .Westwood, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (15941869), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Leslie Mann, Kanye West and Producer Judd Apatow at the Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express" on July 31, 2008 at Mann Village Theatre, CA..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express".Mann Villate Theatre .Westwood, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (15941868), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Leslie Mann, Kanye West and Producer Judd Apatow at the Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express" on July 31, 2008 at Mann Village Theatre, CA..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express".Mann Villate Theatre .Westwood, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (15941736), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Leslie Mann, Kanye West and Producer Judd Apatow at the Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express" on July 31, 2008 at Mann Village Theatre, CA..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express".Mann Villate Theatre .Westwood, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (15941704), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Rapper Kanye West arrives to the premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" at Mann Village Theater on July 31, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" - Red Carpet and After Party.Mann Village Theater.Los Angeles, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com..To license this image (15941046), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Rapper Kanye West arrives to the premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" at Mann Village Theater on July 31, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" - Red Carpet and After Party.Mann Village Theater.Los Angeles, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com..To license this image (15941045), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Rapper Kanye West arrives to the premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" at Mann Village Theater on July 31, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" - Red Carpet and After Party.Mann Village Theater.Los Angeles, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com..To license this image (15941043), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Kanye West arrives at the Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" at the Mann Village Theater on July 31, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" - Arrivals.Mann Village Theater.Los Angeles, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (15940839), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Kanye West arrives at the Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" at the Mann Village Theater on July 31, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" - Arrivals.Mann Village Theater.Los Angeles, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (15940836), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Kanye West arrives at the Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" at the Mann Village Theater on July 31, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" - Arrivals.Mann Village Theater.Los Angeles, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (15940835), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Reader Comments(1 of 2)
tgreyes0529at 11-12-2008
And I'll bet a stupid judge will let this lawsuit go to court too! This is so stupid. If Knight KNEW that there were "not so friendly" people there, then he should be responsible for his OWN self if he chose to go. Am I right people??? I am not a big Kanye fan, BUT I really hate that this is happening to him for something that he had no control over. I mean, is he supposed to frisk each person himself as they come in the door?
Buubaby26at 11-12-2008
I agree.
I don't like either one, but seriously, Suge Knight should have known better. Kanye doesn't have no control over what happens. And that's why fights happen in the black community.
Also, if you're so afraid of losing something that expensive...don't wear the damn thing when you go out. Common sense....at least it is for some poeple.
Suge would feel really stupid if he found his precious (and I use the word loosely) earring under his bed at home. LOL
peterat 11-12-2008
A larger and more important issue is the amount of violence within this community. Something is surely wrong when you need to have metal detectors at every one of these events. When will the glorification of crudeness and violence end?
STEPHat 11-13-2008
peter, I agree whole heartedly...Also, I think if you have a diamond earring that worth that much, wouldn't you have insurance. Also, I bet Mr.. Knight wasn't even invited to the party.
jayat 11-12-2008
Wow!!!!!!!! What a shocker! a group of gangster rappers together, and a shooting occurs?? That so surprising. I would never imagine a bunch of blacks being together, and firearms being involved??
Donteat 11-15-2008
Jay,
Your ignorance is really showing. First off Kanye West is NOT a Gangster Rapper. 50 Cent and T.I. Are gangster rappers. Kanye West and his pastel sweater wearing ass(not gangsta) does not talk of shooting or beating up anyone in his music. Also, I saw a group of Black people congregating together at a church and I don't believe there was any firearms or violence going on there. I won't lump you in the category of serial killers, child molesters, and domestic terrorists, if you will refrain from lumping all black people into a category with thugs and criminals. Deal?
ojasonoat 11-12-2008
N**** please...
jarrell1eat 11-13-2008
That's pocket change!!!!!!
mydnytrydrat 11-13-2008
Ghetto ........
Donteat 11-13-2008
Jay,
Your ignorance is really showing. First off Kanye West is NOT a Gangster Rapper. 50 Cent and T.I. Are gangster rappers. Kanye West and his pastel sweater wearing ass(not gangsta) does not talk of shooting or beating up anyone in his music. Also, I saw a group of Black people congregating together at a church and I don't believe there was any firearms or violence going on there. I won't lump you in the category of serial killers, child molestors, and domestic terrorists, if you will refrain from lumping all black people into a category with thugs and criminals. Deal?
tanadeesat 11-14-2008
Amen!
jayat 11-15-2008
OK,
Deal, Donte!
bradleyat 11-13-2008
suge knight jus needs popblisity....kanye got millions u really think he care bout losing 1 thousand dollars
Welcomeat 11-13-2008
suge knight killed tupac
mekaat 11-14-2008
Wow Suge u gone take it there now u are so desprate for publicity u shouldnt even be at no Kanye West party u dont rap and u have no record lable anymore so what r u doing with ur life?? trying to ruin others u should be the last person tryna floss some earrings u cant even afford. jesus help this man sad sad sad