Yo, listen to this: Suge Knight, the man who made Death Row Records great, is coming out with his own story in the form of a hard-hitting memoir titled ‘Your Pain Is My Joy. This 352-page book will be published August 4, 2026, by Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books. And yes, Suge is writing all this while serving a 28-year sentence for manslaughter.
For those who have been living under a rock: Suge Knight was the co-founder of Death Row Records, along with Dr. Dre, in 1991. They built a label that dominated the West Coast hip-hop scene in the 1990s, featuring legends such as Tupac, Snoop Dogg and more. In his memoir, Suge promises a ’thrilling ride’ through the Golden Age of Rap and the streets of Compton. He tackles stories that have been discussed and debated for three decades.
Suge was known as the most feared man in hip-hop, with his imposing stature, connections to the Compton Bloods and a history of violent confrontations that shaped the industry. The book covers everything from his legendary confrontation with Vanilla Ice to his heated arguments with P. Diddy and the night he and Tupac were shot at in Las Vegas. Suge finally gives his side of the story about that infamous drive-by shooting in 1996.
Death Row Records shaped West Coast rap in ways that can still be felt today. Suge's memoir is a chance to discover details about the rise and fall of the label that have not been discussed publicly before. This is the first time Suge has told his story directly to the world, without filters or excuses. He promises not to mince words, ask for forgiveness and explain exactly how he fought his way to the top.
Suge wrote the entire manuscript while incarcerated, making this one of the most sought-after hip-hop memoirs in ages. The audiobook version will be released simultaneously, voiced by a professional voice actor, giving fans multiple ways to experience how Suge lived through the past decades of industry drama and personal struggles. Pre-orders are already live through major retailers.
So, if you're curious about the inside scoop from one of the most influential and controversial figures in hip-hop history, be sure to get your hands on ‘Your Pain Is My Joy’ on Aug. 4. This will be a salty ride through the history of hip-hop, told by the man who lived it all.”
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