Los Angeles (AFP) - Notorious rap mogul Marion "Suge" Knight pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to stealing a camera from a paparazzi photographer.

A judge ordered the 49-year-old to be taken into custody in lieu of US$500,000 bail, scheduling his next appearance in court for Dec 24.

Knight and comedian Micah "Katt" Williams, 43, were arrested last week for allegedly taking a camera from a celebrity photographer on Sept 5 in Beverly Hills.

Knight, who has a previous conviction for assault with a deadly weapon, faces up to life in prison if convicted, while Williams could face up to seven years behind bars, according to prosecutors.

Knight, who was arrested in Las Vegas last week, founded and runs Black Kapital Records, and co-founded Death Row Records along with hip-hop music king Dr. Dre in the early 1990s.

Death Row Records helped launch stars as Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur before it collapsed in 1996 when Knight was jailed for parole violations.