15 Ways Chris Lighty Changed Hip-Hop

A look at the industry innovator's most influential moments.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Although he spent his career mostly behind the scenes, Chris Lighty ’s tragic death yesterday has thrust his achievements into the spotlight. Today’s New York Times described him as “one of the most powerful figures in the hip-hop business,” adding, “Mr. Lighty helped establish the genre as a major commercial force.”

Marc Ecko, who partnered with Lighty to produce G-Unit apparel, put it this way: “Watching him do his thing with 50 was just a master class in entrepreneurship.”


In the words of Dan Charnas, author of the definitive history of the hip-hop business, The Big Payback, “Chris Lighty created and sustained more careers for more stars than any of his contemporaries because he had a simple formula: he thought big, worked hard, made that money, and kept it moving.

Bottom line, Chris Lighty was a game changer in hip-hop. Let us count the ways...

He Carried Kool DJ Red Alert's Crates To "Get On"

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He Was The Road Manager for Boogie Down Productions

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He Managed The Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest

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He Worked at Rush Artist Management

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He Started Violator Management

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He Got Warren G Signed to Def Jam

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He Backed Down Suge Knight, Twice

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He Was an Executive at Def Jam

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He Introduced LL Cool J to Trackmasters

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He Got Foxy Brown Signed to Def Jam

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He Convinced Mobb Deep to Make "Quiet Storm" a Single

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He Introduced John Meneilly to Jay-Z

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He Brokered 50 Cent's G-Unit Clothing Deal

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He Negotiated 50 Cent's Vitamin Water Deal

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He Made Drake's Sprite Deal Happen

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