Suge Knight beaten up by Akon's camp, hospitalized

Los Angeles, February 17: Rap music mogul Marion 'Suge' Knight was hospitalized after being attacked by a man, thought to be the business manager for hip-hop singer Akon, at a hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona, police said on Monday.

According to TMZ.com, the incident took place at the W Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona, when members of Knight's and rapper Akon's camps collided in the VIP area during a private party thrown by 944 Magazine.

Hotel security staff called police, and when cops arrived on the scene they saw a man punching Knight twice in the head, police said.

In the fight, rap producer fractured several bones in his face. Knight was taken to a local hospital where he received treatment for his facial injuries; he was later released.

The suspect, identified as Robert Carnes Jr., said he is the business manager for hip-hop singer Akon. Police arrested the 38-year-old native of Bethlehem, Pa. for felony aggravated assault because of the "severity of the victim's injuries."

Another man identified as 33-year-old Thomas Leon Anderson Jr., of California was booked and charged with one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

Akon, who was the host of the 944 Magazine party at the W Sunday night, was not present when the scuffle occurred. TMZ has reported that the alleged altercation between the two groups took place after the party ended.

Akon camp's members also say "Akon had already left the party and was in his hotel room at the W when the incident occurred."

Akon's publicist released a statement saying "He is not Akon's business manager, David Bolno is. He is with Akon's camp."

This is not the first time, Knight took a beating. In May 2008, he was knocked unconscious outside a Los Angeles nightclub, following an argument that escalated.

In October 1996, the 43-year-old rap star was jailed for violating his probation on a previous assault case by allegedly kicking a man during a scuffle at a Las Vegas hotel.

Last year in August, Knight was arrested in Las Vegas on drug and assault charges after he was accused of beating his girlfriend and pulling a knife on her during an argument outside a strip club.

Knight, professionally known as "Suge"- short for "Sugar Bear," is a controversial entrepreneur in the hip hop music world and co-founder and CEO of Death Row Records.

Knight, who helped promote the music career of such rap stars as Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur in the 1990s, declared bankruptcy last year, forcing the sale of the label.