Hip hop manager Chris Lighty found dead
August 30th, 2012
07:40 PM ET

Hip hop manager Chris Lighty found dead

Chris Lighty, who managed several of hip hop's biggest artists, apparently shot himself to death in his Bronx, New York, apartment Thursday morning, a New York police spokesman said.

Lighty, 44, was found with a gunshot wound to his head and a semi-automatic firearm next to his body at 11:30 a.m., the police spokesman said.

While the death appears to be a suicide, police investigators will wait until the medical examiner's report before closing their investigation, the spokesman said.

Lighty founded Violator Records & Management, which counts Mariah Carey, Soulja Boy, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, and Diddy among their artist.

Rapper 50 Cent, in a statement sent to CNN, said he was "deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and business partner."

"Chris has been an important part of my business and personal growth for a decade," 50 Cent said. "He was a good friend and advisor who helped me develop as an artist and businessman. My prayers are with his family. He will be greatly missed."

CNN's Jane Caffrey contributed to this report.

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Filed under: Celebrity • Showbiz
soundoff (16 Responses)
  1. Lefty Capuccino

    It's sad tat somieone with so much success coud still not beat depression...it can strike anyone.

    August 30, 2012 at 10:06 pm | Report abuse |
  2. korke aika

    I guess the founder of 'violator' records & management, violated his own head.

    August 30, 2012 at 10:11 pm | Report abuse |
    • Shawn from bk

      That wrongppg wat u posted show some RESPECT for his family 4real

      August 31, 2012 at 10:46 am | Report abuse |
  3. Penny Nickels

    Wow, lots of famous people killing themselves lately. What up with dat, yo?

    August 30, 2012 at 10:12 pm | Report abuse |
  4. noteaparty4me

    RIP

    August 30, 2012 at 10:28 pm | Report abuse |
  5. alligator face

    lol.....he didn't commit suicide he was murdered

    August 30, 2012 at 10:28 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Keksi

    He got Illuminated.

    August 30, 2012 at 10:33 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Spendlove

    Tragic, I'm sure he will be missed. Rest in peace.

    August 30, 2012 at 10:37 pm | Report abuse |
  8. didHedidit

    By himself or someone h3lpd?

    August 30, 2012 at 11:22 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Yactown

    Respect, what just happend a person life was taken from them. It does'nt matter how it was done its done. RIP

    August 30, 2012 at 11:50 pm | Report abuse |
    • Shawn from bk

      Live.love&embrace life ..u only get ONE

      August 31, 2012 at 10:54 am | Report abuse |
  10. Pip squeek

    Ofcourse blame suicide when really these people are being murdered

    August 31, 2012 at 2:29 am | Report abuse |
  11. Shawn from bk

    May u RIP chris bk love u ..my prayers to ur FAMILY

    August 31, 2012 at 10:48 am | Report abuse |
  12. rah-red

    Reading some of these post I can;t help but comment on "George" comments.
    Hip-hop is a way of life, a feeding of the soul. It is not a fashion. Hip-hop did not make these young kids wear their pants low, have gold grills. Alot of these rappers graduated college, have good educations and are NOT hood kids. They just rap about the hood. Go experience the life inthe hood before you judge the culture of it. Ain;t like we judging you for your red-neck country way of living.. 2012 bro, WAKE UP !!!!

    August 31, 2012 at 3:16 pm | Report abuse |
  13. JL

    Hmmm...CNN seems to have opened up this article for any wingnut to post their opinions, like me. I can't help but wonder who exactly makes the call on which articles deserve the public's unabridged honest opinions, and what their criteria is for the selection process. But all I have to say about the man's death, is that suicides are always a tragic end to any life and I feel sorry for his family.

    August 31, 2012 at 3:41 pm | Report abuse |
  14. fernace

    This is very sad! To be so successful & still feel no option is viable but death! My condolences to his family, friends & the hiphop community! I do hope theres a thorough investigation!!

    August 31, 2012 at 11:18 pm | Report abuse |
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