Suge Knight Expands Music Industry Blacklist, Accuses Jimmy Iovine of Manipulating 2Pac’s Legacy
In the latest episode of “Collect Call With Suge Knight,” the notorious music figure adds Jimmy Iovine to his list of industry figures allegedly involved in manipulating Death Row Records’ legacy. Knight reveals insights into the partnership between Death Row and Interscope, shedding light on the acquisition of exclusive distribution rights to the label’s material in the early ’90s.
During the half-hour segment, Knight recalls approaching Iovine to retrieve his archives, including masters, released and unreleased songs. According to Knight, Iovine, along with then-head of business affairs David Cohen, claimed that some of the material was no longer in their possession. Knight alleges that Iovine suggested 2Pac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, and armed individuals seized recordings, including those featuring the late rapper.
Knight recalls Afeni visiting him in prison, revealing that she believed Interscope was responsible for her son’s death. Although Knight doesn’t explicitly accuse Iovine, he suggests manipulation and states that “they” at Interscope aimed to turn Afeni against him with false claims.
While Knight doesn’t provide updates on the current whereabouts of the masters, he emphasizes the manipulation he believes occurred within the industry, with Afeni passing away without knowing the truth.
In a noteworthy aside, Knight recognizes the uncelebrated contributors to 2Pac’s hit “California Love” in a previous podcast episode. He credits DJ Quik, J-Flexx, and funk legend Roger Troutman for the song’s success, highlighting financial support provided to Troutman during tough times. Knight acknowledges the significant role played by these individuals in shaping the iconic track.
HipHopDX has sought comments from representatives of Jimmy Iovine and Interscope in response to Suge Knight’s accusations. The podcast episode, titled “Jimmy LIE-Vine,” suggests Knight’s suspicions surrounding Iovine’s role in the alleged manipulation of 2Pac’s legacy.
