Chris Lighty Dead at 44: Music Industry Reacts on Twitter

When news that hip-hop industry vet Chris Lighty was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound hit the web, some of the biggest names in the genre reacted with shock and sadness on Twitter.

It was clear from the tweets that Lighty, 44, was beloved by the community and that he meant a lot to its superstars. His fingerprints are all over the genre, and everyone from Rihanna to Mary J. Blige to Nicki Minaj to Diddy to Ludacris took a minute to send their love and prayers out to Lighty and those he left behind. Since he was a manager, his clients expressed some of the deepest pain in their tweets, referring to him as more like family than a business associate or partner.

Details about Lighty’s suicide are still unclear at press time, but reports indicate that a gun was found near his body and he may have had serious financial issues. Reports suggest that he owed the IRS a whopping $5 million in back taxes.

U never know what can send a person over the edge or make them want 2 keep living. take it easy on people. We are so fragile.

— Mary J. Blige (@maryjblige) August 30, 2012

Rest in peace Chris Lighty. Your words and your vision are constant inspiration to me. Forever. — Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) August 30, 2012

 

Rest peacefully Chris Lighty, my prayers go out to family and loved ones! Dear God please have mercy — Rihanna (@rihanna) August 30, 2012

 

R.I.P. Chris Lightly who always had the best energy every time I had an encounter with him. He will be misse instagr.am/p/O9lRxLwa0g/

— Ludacris (@Ludacris) August 30, 2012

R.I.P. Chris Lighty! This is such a shock:( My heart goes out to his family and friends. — Brandy Norwood (@4everBrandy) August 30, 2012

 

Still in shock.. More than just my manager but my family. Love you and gonna miss you Chris. R.I.P

— Diggy(@diggy_simmons) August 30, 2012

R.I.P my manager Chris Lighty, I know you’re in a better place. this shit got me so fucked up big bro we just talked on the phone 2 days ago — Soulja Boy (@souljaboy) August 30, 2012

 

RIP Chris Lighty

— Big Boi of OUTKAST (@BigBoi) August 30, 2012

R.I.P chris lighty!! Chris is hip hop, a friend & a gr8 person! When I came in the game he acknowledged me … m.tmi.me/wg22p

— DJ Khaled (@djkhaled) August 30, 2012

R.I.P. to my old friend “Chris Lighty”. Tragedy has once again struck the music industry & this time it hitinstagr.am/p/O9kXSYGoko/ — Handsome Ass Nigga (@thegame) August 30, 2012

 

R.I.P CHRIS LIGHTY THE MAN THAT SAVED MY LIFE!!! — FAT JOE (@fatjoe) August 30, 2012

 

In shock.

— iamdiddy (@iamdiddy) August 30, 2012

hard to believe it is true but RIP to my friend Chris Lighty. gone too soon

— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) August 30, 2012

RIP Chris Lighty. my condolences to the family and loved ones. — Big Sean (@BigSean) August 30, 2012

 

RIP chris lighty.

— Pete Wentz(@petewentz) August 30, 2012

Another tragic & inconceivable loss for the culture. #RIPChrisLighty

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) August 30, 2012

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

— Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) August 30, 2012