Hip Hop mogul & Manager found dead from apparent suicide

Chris Lighty, founder of Violator Entertainment and manager to music heavyweights such as Mariah Carey and LL Cool J, has died at the age of 44.

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.

Lighty got his start in the 1980s, building his reputation from the ground up. He emerged from the Native Tongues camp and went on to start Violator, which has helped to launch the careers of stars such as Missy Elliott, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, Nas, LL Cool J and more.

 Lighty began working at Rush Management, under the guidance of Lyor Cohen and Russell Simmons, in 1988, picking up the savvy marketing skills and brand-building expertise that would later culminate in Violator. Upon hearing the news of his death, Simmons issued a somber statement. "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," Simmons wrote via Global Grind. "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.

 I personally remember when I was in my teens, that there was a heavy group of rappers that were always yelling "VIOLATOR", mainly The Jungle Brothers and DJ Red Alert. I did my homework and found out that Chris Lighty was the reason why they were all doin that. Mainly it was a sense of pride from the artists that he represented, and their way of showing the do respect that he deserved. 

I am more shocked from this death than anything because we seem to be losing more and more of the cats that helped construct this building that we call Hip Hop. The seeds that he laid will truly bear fruit for years to come.