Chris Lighty, founder and CEO of Violator Management and Records, died Thursday morning from an apparent suicide in his Bronx apartment. The 44-year-old mogul was the manager of 50 Cent, Diddy, Ja Rule, Mariah Carey, LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes.
Police responded to a call at 670 West 232nd Street in the Bronx, New York, at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Thursday (August 30). Officers discovered Lighty with a gunshot wound to the head and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities recovered a black semi-automatic pistol at the scene and tell MTV News that Lighty’s wound appear to be self-inflicted.
According to the New York Daily News, Lighty had been dealing with some personal issues that included a divorce from his wife last year and an IRS debt that totaled around $5 million.
Via: Washington Post:
Lighty was raised in the Bronx and ran with a group called The Violators, the inspiration for the name of his management company, according to the company website. He was a player in the hip-hop game since he was a kid DJ. He rose through the ranks at Rush Management (Simmons’ first company) before eventually founding Violator Management in the late 1990s. (Mona Scott and James Cruz are partners).
His roster ranged from Academy Award-winners Three 6 Mafia to maverick Missy Elliott to up-and-comer Papoose and perpetual star Carey. He made it his mission not so much to make musical superstars, but rather multifaceted entertainers who could be marketed in an array of ways: a sneaker deal here, a soft drink partnership there, a movie role down the road.
The news of Lighty’s death shocked many of his inudstry affiliates as well as many rappers who worked closely with him.
Fat Joe:
R.I.P CHRIS LIGHTY THE MAN THAT SAVED MY LIFE!!! I Would Be Nothing Without YOU!!! My Kids Appreciate YOU God Bless Chris Lighty.”
Def Jam:
We lost a great one today, Rest in Peace Chris Lighty. Forever in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Sway Calloway:
RIP Chris Lighty and attached a photo of the two suring previous times.
Big Sean tweeted:
RIP Chris Lighty. my condolences to the family and loved ones.
Jennifer Williams:
Very sad news about Chris Lighty… You never know someone’s inner struggles…
#RIPRev. Run:
R I P to the kindest guy Chris Lighty. Thank you for being a manager to Diggy & a part of our family.. You are loved & will be missed
Rapper Saigon tweeted:
“If this Chris Lighty sh– is true, that just f—ed up my whole YEAR. He was my manager for 2 years.”
Talib Kwali:
Rest in peace Chris Lighty. Your words and your vision are constant inspiration to me. Forever.
Rhianna:
Rest peacefully Chris Lighty, my prayers go out to family and loved ones! Dear God please have mercy
Omar Epps:
Chris Lighty was a pioneer in hip hop & the music biz period! He was a good man & a good friend. Prayers for his family & his children..
Terrence J:
RIP to Chris Lighty. Dude gave me life changing advice & wisdom. A tragic loss, he will be deeply missed. Prayers to the family.
Chuck D:R I P ChrisLighty SMH to the mongrels that have made the BLACKmusic industry a depressing game to drag such good cats into a pit of bullsht
I am deeply saddened by the loss of a hip-hop hero. Chris Lighty has been a dear friend of mine since he was a kid. Was a brilliant partner in business and I was so proud of all that he had accomplished. He is an amazing example of how a passionate kid from the street can go to the most even-keeled, smart, thoughtful manager in the business and a generous philanthropist. He was loved by everyone who knew him, including me. He will be missed greatly by all of us.
