The world has lost it's light...sad day today, Hip Hop royalty Violator CEO Chris Lightly was found Dead this morning in New York City. Chris was the manager for artists like 50 Cent, Diddy, Ja Rule, and Mariah Carey.
According to Forbes magazine, Lighty was the architect of what turned out to be one of the most lucrative deals in hip-hop history–50 Cent’s VitaminWater pact. In exchange for letting the brand develop the beverage Formula 50 and appearing in commercials, the rapper received a small equity stake in VitaminWater parent Glaceau. When Coca-Cola paid $4.1 billion for the company three years later, 50 Cent walked away with $100 million; Lighty received an undisclosed sum.
Reports are now saying that we wasn’t killed by someone else but instead the gunshot wound to the head was a self-inflicted wound. This is what TMZ reports:
According to law enforcement, 44-year-old Lighty’s body was found by police around 11:30 AM in the backyard of his Bronx apartment. Lighty was pronounced dead on the scene, where a semi-automatic firearm was recovered. The death is being investigated as a possible suicide.
Twitter was abuzz with condolences on his death just hours after the body was found at about 11:30 a.m.
“R.I.P. Chris Lighty,” Fat Joe posted on his account. “The man that saved my life!”
Diddy wrote: “In shock.”
Rihanna posted: “Rest peacefully Chris Lighty, my prayers go out to family and loved ones! Dear God please have mercy.”
And Mary J. Blige wrote: “U never know what can send a person over the edge or make them want 2 keep living. take it easy on people.”
50 Cent said in a statement issued through his publicist that he was deeply saddened by the loss.
First there is a lot to say about how many people suffer from mental illness and don't get treated but we will save that for another post. And the number of African American people who do not get treated for this growing disease has doubled in 2012 alone.
Facts you should know about Chris Lighty:
1. He Was Hip-Hop Royalty
2. He Made an Unhappy Merger
3. He Was Recently Divorced at the time of the unhappy merger
4. He Had Money Trouble
5. He Got His Break from Russell Simmons
6. He Built a Website for New Artists
7. He Made 50 Cent a Gazillionaire
8.
9. &10. HE WILL BE MISSED...R.I.P.!!