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Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast Untold Stories of Chris Lighty hosted by DJButterrock
Darrel[a] Steven "Chris" Lighty[3] (May 8, 1968 – August 30, 2012) was an American music manager and record producer. He co-founded Violator, a record label, management and marketing company, which represented hip hop and R&B artists such as Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mobb Deep, Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, Noreaga, Prodigy, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey and Sean "Diddy" Combs.[1][3][4]
The New York Times called him "one of the most powerful figures in the hip-hop business."[5]
Early life
Lighty[3] was born in the Bronx, New York City, New York, and raised in the Bronx River Housing Projects.[4][1] His mother was single. He had five siblings, including a brother, Dave.[6] He attended Samuel Gompers High School, and did not attend college, and he stated that he "got [his] MBA in hell," in reference to growing up on the streets of a dangerous neighborhood.[5]
Career
Lighty began working in the music industry by carrying vinyl record crates for DJ Red Alert.[7] Later, Russell Simmons' company, Rush Artist Management, hired him.[1] After leaving Rush, Lighty co-founded Violator Management with Mona Scott-Young in 1996;[8] the company is named after the gang he belonged to in the Bronx. Violator was responsible for getting L.L. Cool J his first Gap commercial in 1997. Lighty developed endorsements for
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