American Dream/American Knightmare is a documentary film directed by Antoine Fuqua and exploring the life and legacy of Suge Knight, the co-founder of Death Row Records. The film features interviews with Knight himself, as well as with a range of other figures involved in the gangsta rap scene of the 1990s, including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube.
The film provides a detailed overview of Knight's rise to power in the music industry, from his early days as a bodyguard for rap artists to his creation of Death Row Records and his role in promoting and producing some of the most iconic hip-hop albums of the era. However, the film also delves into the darker aspects of Knight's career, including his notorious feuds with other artists and record labels, as well as his alleged involvement in a number of violent crimes.
Through interviews and archival footage, the film provides a nuanced look at the complex and often contradictory figure of Suge Knight, exploring both his enormous influence on the world of hip-hop and the destructive impulses that ultimately led to his downfall. The film also explores larger questions about the relationship between music and violence, and the ways in which art can both reflect and shape the cultural and social environment in which it is created.