Hip hop entrepreneur Chris Lighty has been discovered dead outside of his New York home, the victim of an apparent suicide.
Hip hop produces some tough characters – Chris Lighty was one of them. A fixture of the rap game for decades, the manager had helped guide the careers of artists such as 50 Cent, Ja Rule, P Diddy and many more.
Coming of age in the Violator Crew, Chris Lighty began work in security before the collective transformed itself into an entertainment community. Discovering and nurturing new talent, Lighty was instrumental in the evolution of hip hop into a the colossal mainstream force it has become.
Sadly, the entrepreneur was found dead outside of his New York home earlier today. NY Daily News reports that Chris Lighty was discovered lying on the pavement, a 9mm pistol next to his body.
Tributes are flooding in for the manager, whose connections spanned the multi-faceted world which is big business hip hop.
Scooter Braun: “hard to believe it is true but RIP to my friend Chris Lighty. gone too soon”
Reverend 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”
Chuck D: “R I P Chris Lighty SMH to the mongrels that have made the BLACKmusic industry a depressing game to drag such good cats into a pit of bullsht”
Childish Gambino: “rest in peace Chris Lighty. thank you for everything”
