LOS ANGELES — Former Death Row Records boss Suge Knight has reignited old tensions with Dr. Dre while reminiscing about his admiration for Grammy-winning rapper Eve, saying he was once ready to “break Dre’s jaw” for her.
In a candid interview with The Art of Dialogue, Knight revisited his connection with Eve and addressed long-standing industry rumours linking the two during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Although he stopped short of confirming a romantic relationship, Knight made it clear that Eve still holds a special place in his heart.
“I still got love for Eve today,” he said. “I like women who are about their money, about their life — women who fight for what they want.”
The comments were prompted by revelations from Eve’s memoir Who’s That Girl?, in which she allegedly hinted that her brief association with Knight was partly to spite Dr. Dre after being dropped from his Aftermath Records label.
Knight didn’t directly confirm that version of events but showed clear loyalty to Eve, describing her as “the home girl.”
“All Eve had to do was nod her head, and I would’ve broken Andre’s jaw,” Knight said, referring to Dr. Dre by his first name.
Eve, who signed to Aftermath Records at just 17 after impressing Dre during an impromptu audition in Philadelphia, was briefly part of the label’s early roster. However, the partnership soured quickly. She later revealed that her youthful impatience and frequent uninvited appearances at Dre’s studio sessions led to her being dropped from the label.
Knight suggested that Eve’s career struggles had more to do with music industry politics than talent. “Eve is a survivor,” he said. “She was ahead of her time — her lyrics, her confidence. I think jealousy played a part in her not getting the platform she deserved.”
He went on to praise Eve’s legacy, drawing a comparison between her and contemporary rap star Cardi B. “Eve and Cardi B are two of the baddest women to ever do it,” Knight said. “Cardi’s still the best out there today.”
The interview has sparked renewed debate about the early days of Aftermath Records and the complicated web of relationships between some of hip-hop’s biggest names. For Knight — who remains incarcerated — it’s another reminder of the volatile mix of loyalty, rivalry, and power that defined the golden era of West Coast rap.
Source: AllHipHop
