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The world of hip-hop has been rocked once again by the untimely death of legendary impresario Chris Lighty

MUST READ: Chris Lighty Will Be Greatly Missed By All Of Us…By Russell Simmons

Over the past decade, Chris Lighty, also known as, “Baby Chris,” by those who knew him best, has worked his way from the bottom literally to the top of his own empire: Violator Management.  

Chris Lighty got his start in the music industry by carrying crates for legendary DJ Red Alert. His ability to build great relationships and his savvy mind for business enabled him to be one of the greatest influencers in hip-hop. 

DETAILS: Chris Lighty Has Died

From Mariah Carey to 50 Cent and A Tribe Called Quest to Maxwell, Chris guided and empowered some of music’s most inspirational artists. 

We are truly saddened to hear about his death and pray that he will have eternal peace. 

R.I.P. Chris Lighty, you will be truly missed. 

Check out Chris Lighty’s influence and impact in the world of hip-hop below…

Chris Lighty joined Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen in 1988 as a manager at Rush Management company.  

Chris was also the road manager for hip-hop group the Jungle Brothers, which eventually led him to manage A Tribe Called Quest and eventually manage Q-tip as a solo artist. Chris’ relationship with Jungle Brother and A Tribe Called Quest led him to build unbreakable bonds with everyone in the collective of Native Tongues. 

Chris Lighty eventually went on to establish his own multi-media entertainment/management company Violator, which boasted a roster of artists like Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Q-Tip, Diggy Simmons, Ja Rule, LL Cool J, Mobb Deep, and 50 cent. 

Chris Lighty teamed up with Mona Scott-Young as co-founders of Violator management. Chris and Mona managed everyone from Ja Rule to Maxwell. Mona Scott-Young has since been the brainchild behind VH1’s hit series Love and Hip-Hop. 

Chris Lighty’s expertise in artist development and management eventually led him to manage Forbes’ hip-hop Cash King Sean “Diddy” Combs. 

Believing in the power of branding, Chris co-founded Brand Asset Group with Warner Music Group’s Lyor Cohen in 2007.

Chris has also been a longtime friend and manager of 50 Cent and recently came off 50 Cent’s European tour.

Since becoming a business mogul and hip-hop pioneer, Chris Lighty made it his duty to educate and inform young men and women how to successfully create business plans and build wealth by capitalizing on ideas and never taking no for an answer.