Chris Lighty Passes

CHRIS LIGHTY, 44, one of the most respected and accomplished hip-hop executives in the business, most recently as head of Primary Violator, a joint management venture with Primary Wave Talent Management, has passed away. The Bronx native and founder of Violator Entertainment, who was integral in the careers of Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, N.O.R.E., Q-Tip and Diamond D, among others, started in the business carrying crates for DJ Red Alert. He went on to work with Russell Simmons at Rush Management and the Def Jam label. As part of the homegrown Native Tongue movement, Lighty and his brother formed the Violators, a contemporary of acts like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, even rapping on a Black Sheep album. Lighty launched Violator as a management company with a roster that included Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Foxy Brown and Diamond D, among others. More recently, he worked with ex-colleague Lyor Cohen at the Brand Asset Group for Warner Music Group before merging his Violator roster with Primary Wave last September. That combined roster includes Mariah Carey, Cee-Lo Green, 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Ginuwine, Goodie Mob, Eric Benet and Sean "Diddy" Combs. We are shocked and saddened by his passing and send our heartfelt condolences to his family. (8/30p)