The Beef That Almost Turned Deadly Between Eazy-E and Suge Knight

Hip-hop has seen its fair share of rivalries, but few were as intense—or as dangerously close to turning deadly—as the conflict between Eazy-E and Suge Knight. Their feud wasn’t built on simple industry competition; it was rooted in power, intimidation, and the battle for control during one of rap’s most pivotal eras.

In the early 1990s, Eazy-E was at the top of the West Coast rap game as the co-founder of Ruthless Records. His label had launched N.W.A, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and several other major acts, solidifying him as a true mogul in the making. But Ruthless was also home to Dr. Dre—who would soon become the centerpiece of one of the most infamous music-industry shakeups ever staged.

As the story goes, Suge Knight wanted Dre to leave Ruthless and join what would later become Death Row Records. But Dre was under contract, and Eazy-E wasn’t about to let one of his biggest talents walk away. That’s when tensions exploded. Suge Knight, known for his intimidating tactics, allegedly sent men to strong-arm their way into the situation. According to multiple accounts, Suge confronted Ruthless Records’ co-founder Jerry Heller and used fear, threats, and violence to pressure their camp into releasing Dre from his deal.

What many don’t know is that the situation nearly escalated far beyond threats. There were real fears within Ruthless that the conflict could turn fatal. Eazy-E himself was said to be so fed up with Suge’s tactics that he considered striking back in a way that would’ve changed the course of hip-hop history. According to legend, Eazy was approached by individuals offering to "take care" of Suge Knight permanently—and Eazy briefly entertained the idea.

But ultimately, Eazy-E didn’t go through with it. In one interview, he later said that if he wanted Suge gone, “Suge Knight would’ve been gone.” It was a chilling reminder of just how serious the feud had become behind the scenes. In the end, business won over bloodshed, and Dre was released from his contract—setting the stage for the rise of Death Row and the next chapter of West Coast dominance.

Even though Eazy-E and Suge Knight eventually went their separate ways, their near-deadly beef remains one of the most explosive stories in rap history. It highlights not just the cutthroat nature of the industry during the 90s, but also how close hip-hop came to losing two of its most influential figures in a feud fueled by power, money, and unstoppable ambition.