Eminem
EminemReuters file

Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight is believed to have tried to kill Eminem back in 2001, according to the rapper's former bodyguard.

In an interview with Murder Master Music Show, Byron "Big Naz" Williams alleged that he had to rescue his employer during the Source Awards 15 years ago after Eminem got into an argument with Knight's crew. "I noticed that, in the middle of the aisle, he's beefing with all these guys in red shirts," Williams recalled. "I noticed his face changing, and he's turning like, tomato-red. And there's a sea of red guys around him ... I had to bust through the middle and snatch him up."

According to Williams, the scuffle happened because bodyguards weren't allowed to sit with their employers. "I think that was by design 'cause I think they really wanted the artists to be able to network with each other, but it also gives people who got beef with other artists to get at them," he said.

That wasn't the only time Knight targeted Eminem. The Detroit rapper's life was once again in danger during a trip to Hawaii, when, according to Williams, Knight had sent about 50 guys to break up the show. "When we got there, vacation mode was over, we were lockin'-n-loading, putting on bullet proof vests with their wives and girlfriends sitting next to them. We had to have Interscope pick up the tab to put Honolulu police with each bodyguard, because of how deep Suge was over there," he said.

Eminem escaped unharmed both the times.

Williams is not the first person to come forward with stories of Knight's intention to kill fellow musicians. Back in 2015, rapper 50 Cent alleged that Knight had wanted to kill Dr. Dre as well.

Knight is currently in jail awaiting trial after he ran over two men on the sets of "Straight Outta Compton," killing one of them. He has pleaded not guilty.