[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cXGkYng54U]
It’s around 5 pm. The LOF boys and myself are waiting in the Violator conference room. Jokes are flying and the anticipation is building. As we slowly realize that the meeting we are waiting to end is running late, we begin to get comfortable. Not for long. Suddenly the man of the hour walks in. Chris Lighty. He looks as if he’s studying the room, almost trying to intimidate us. He probably doesn’t mean too, but he’s an extremely serious guy. I try to get the small talk going by saying “Busy day, huh?”. His response? “Always”.
It probably is always busy around these parts. Violator Management has a client roster that includes 50 Cent, Diddy, Mariah Carey, Soulja Boy, and more. With big time talent, comes big time business moves. Lighty is looking for ways to expand the brands of his artists. The talk of the week has been the possibility of seeing a 50 Cent workout supplement. This is just one of the many things that comes across his desk on a daily basis. To him, this is the record business. Major labels should probably take notice.
In part 1 of our interview, we discuss his beginnings with The Jungle Brothers, and making the transition to Rush Management. He tells us about working with Lyor and Russell, and even gives you up and comers some tips. Finally, we talk about the end of Rush Management, and having to pick through the artist roster to create Violator.
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