It’s another sad day in Hollywood, another life gone too early. Chris Lighty died of an apparent suicide yesterday. Police found the hip-hop manager and rap mogul in his Bronx apartment with a gunshot wound to the head. Lighty’s last blog post was on August 23, titled “Chaos and Mayhem…Hip-Hop,” where he vented about “the rat race we call hip-hop” and “the rumors and ridiculous stories” surrounding his clients. Chris has managed stars like 50 Cent, Missy Elliot and Mariah Carey.
There has been an outpour of Twitter responses to Chris’ death from his friends and the music industry:
Diddy: “R.I.P. Chris Lighty. He Was A Dear Friend Of Mine And I Still Can’t Believe It.”
Nicki Minaj: “Another tragic & inconceivable loss for the culture. #RIPChrisLighty”
Rihanna: “Rest peacefully Chris Lighty, my prayers go out to family and loved ones! Dear God please have mercy”
Nick Cannon: “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. I truly believe to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, but I just feel like Chris’ work wasn’t finish on earth.”
Ludacris: “R.I.P. Chris Lighty who always had the best energy every time I had an encounter with him. He will be missed.”
John Legend: “RIP Chris Lighty. Hip-hop visionary.”
Ice T: “If you are REALLY in Hip Hop you know Chris… If you’re not… You have NO idea how important and what a great person he was..I can’t hold back the tears…. Man!! No matter how big Chris got… He always treated me like the young kid I met, hustling hard at the ‘New Music Senimar.’ Awwwwww man… Chris was my dude. I can’t believe this. We go back….”
DJ Khaled: “R.I.P chris lighty!! Chris is hip hop, a friend & gr8 person! When I came in the game he acknowledged me from the beginning & aspired 4 me 2 B gr8! Chris always wanted 2 help everyone! & did! Much luv 2 the family & my prayers R w/ them!”
Kim Kardashian: “Such sad news about Chris Lighty. He was an amazing partner in my fragrance LightHouse Beauty & friend. You will be missed!”
Rest in peace, Chris Lighty. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
