R.I.P. Chris Lighty (50 Cent, Diddy, Ja Rule, Violator)

Courtesy New York Daily News and Skyzoo.

Hip-hop mogul Chris Lighty died Thursday morning after apparently shooting himself in the head in his Bronx apartment, sources told the Daily News.

Lighty, 44 — a longtime manager of 50 Cent, Diddy, Ja Rule and Mariah Carey — was found dead inside his South Riverdale apartment about 11:30 a.m., police sources said.

It appeared he died from a bullet to his head, sources said. A gun was recovered next to his body.

Law enforcement sources said Lighty — who divorced his wife, Veronica, last year — may have been dealing with financial struggles, including owing about $5 million to the IRS.

---

From Wikipedia:

Violator (founded by Chris Lighty) specializes in managing the careers of hip hop and R&B performers and is also a record label. Included among Violator's past and present clients are Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Missy Elliott, Fantasia, Mýa, Diggy Simmons, Cormega, Ja Rule, Mobb Deep, LL Cool J, Nas, JoJo Pellegrino, and 50 Cent. Violator has released two compilation albums of material from its artists: Violator: The Album, Vol. 1 and Violator: The Album, Vol. 2. Vol. 1 features Q-Tip's first solo hit single, "Vivrant Thing". Chris is also the new manager for Sean "Diddy" Combs.