Veteran hip-hop manager and marketing guru Chris Lighty passed away earlier today, reports Vibe.
According to News One, the talent manager died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
As founder of Violator, a marketing group and record label, Lighty’s most notable clients included Mariah Carey, Fantasia, LL Cool J, MIssy Elliot and 50 Cent. Fellow music industry peers have been tweeting about the tragic news. Close pal Jeff Robinson tweeted: “So very sad about Chris Lighty…Great long time friend, fellow Bronxite and peer… incredible businessman and person.”
Nick Cannon tweeted: “I’m devastated right now. I can’t believe my big brother Chris Lighty is gone… He was a pioneer, a mentor, and a great friend RIP.”
In 2011 Lighty and his wife of seven years, Veronica, filed for divorce.
His last message on Twitter was a retweet by @ImYoursWhispers that read, “Life is about perspectives. It’s not what you see, but how you see it. What you see is what you get.”
Leave your condolences for Lighty’s family and friends.