The suspected suicide of 50 Cent's long-standing manager, Chris Lighty, has stunned the music industry.

Lighty, the entrepreneur who founded Violator Management, was found dead at his New York apartment with a gunshot wound to the head.

He had reportedly been through a difficult divorce and was suffering financial and personal problems at the time of his death.

The 44-year-old music manager was a key figure in hip-hop and managed acts like Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Missy Elliott, Fantasia, Mya, Diggy Simmons, Ja Rule, Mobb Deep, LL Cool J, Nas and 50 Cent.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of a hip-hop hero," 50 Cent said in a statement.

"Chris Lighty has been a dear friend of mine since he was a kid. Was a brilliant partner in business and I was so proud of all that he had accomplished. 

"He is an amazing example of how a passionate kid from the street can go to be the most even-keeled, smart, thoughtful manager in the business and a generous philanthropist. He was loved by everyone who knew him, including me. He will be missed greatly by all of us.'

IBTimes UK remembers the music manager...

Lighty has worked with some of the biggest artists in the industry including Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Missy Elliott, Fantasia, Mya, Diggy Simmons, Ja Rule, Mobb Deep, LL Cool J and Nas.

In 2004, Lighty, who was 50 Cent's long standing manager, brokered one of the most lucrative deals in hip-hop history – Fiddy’s Vitamin Water pact.

The Violator Management founder, worked with Russell Simmons (L) before the media mogul went on to create Def Jam.
In 2011, Lighty launched the website pleaselistentomydemo.com, which allowed new artists to submit their music online and have top music executives listen to it.

Lighty married his ex-wife, Veronica in 2003. The couple have a son and the music manager also has three other children from previous relationships.