Photos: Suge Knight: Life in pictures

Knight’s first big foray into music was with his own publishing company. One client wrote material for Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” but had not been paid. Various accounts said Knight dangled the rapper off a balcony, or threatened to, but Ice now says Knight was nice in asking for his cut.  (Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times)

When Knight started the record label Funky Enough, rapper DJ Quik, shown performing in Anaheim in 2002, was one of his first artists.  (Al Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

After the success of Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic,” Knight and the Death Row Records crew ushered in the solo debut of Snoop Dogg, right, with “Doggystyle.” The record reached quadruple platinum in sales.  (Handout; Patrick Downs / Los Angeles Times)

Knight convinces rap star Tupac Shakur, left, to sign with Death Row by agreeing to post his $1.4 million bail when Shakur was in prison for a sexual assault conviction. Dr. Dre left Death Row in 1996 after internal disputes and being concerned with Knight’s behavior.  (Frank Wiese / Associated Press)

In 1997, Knight was sentenced to nine years in prison for a probation violation stemming from a 1992 assault on two aspiring rappers. He was released in 2001. Pictured: Knight, wearing handcuffs, during a bail hearing in 1996.  (Rick Meyer / Los Angeles Times)

Knight, shown walking out of the Los Angeles County jail in 2003, goes to prison again after hitting a parking lot attendant, a violation of his parole. Death Row records suffers while Knight is behind bars.   (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

Knight files a lawsuit against rapper Kanye West, right, seeking over $1 million in damages regarding a 2005 party hosted by West where Knight got shot in the leg. The case remains unresolved.   (Tammie Arroyo / Associated Press; Jim Cooper / Associated Press)

Knight sustains six gunshot wounds during a party ahead of the MTV Video Music Awards hosted by R&B singer Chris Brown. Despite requiring surgery for his wounds, he is able to leave the club and seek help. Pictured: The scene at 1Oak nightclub in West Hollywood, August 2014.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Knight and comedian Katt Williams are charged with second-degree robbery for allegedly stealing a camera in Beverly Hills. Knight, shown in court after his October arrest, pleads not guilty.   (John Locher / Associated Press)