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Violator Records
Violator is a company, record label, marketing group, and multi-media entertainment conglomerate founded and operated by Chris Lighty and Mona Scott-Young until Lighty's death on August 30, 2012.Violator - The Company Violator. Accessed August 25, 2007. History In 1996, Lighty partnered with manager Scott-Young to launch Violator management. The company specialized in managing the careers of and R&B performers and is also a record label. Included among Violator's past and present clients are |
Chris Lighty
Darrel Steven "Chris" Lighty (May 8, 1968 – August 30, 2012) was an American music manager and record producer. He co-founded Violator, a record label, management and marketing company, which represented hip hop and R&B artists such as Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mobb Deep, Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, Noreaga, Prodigy, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey and Sean "Diddy" Combs. ''The New York Times'' called him "one of the most powerful figures in the hip-hop business." Early life Lighty was born in the Bronx, New York City, New York, and raised in the Bronx River Housing Projects. His mother was single. He had five siblings, including a brother, Dave. He attended Samuel Gompers High School, and did not attend college, and he stated that he "got isMBA in hell," in reference to growing up on the streets of a dangerous neighborhood. Career Lighty began working in the music industry by carrying vinyl record crates for DJ Red Alert. Later, Russell Simmons' company, Rush Artist ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hip-hop
Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip-hop includes rapping often enough that the terms can be used synonymously. However, "hip-hop" more properly denotes an entire subculture. Other key markers of the genre are the disc jockey, turntablism, scratching, beatboxing, and instrumental tracks. Cultural interchange has always been central to the hip-hop genre. It simultaneously borrows from its social environment while commenting on it. The hip-hop genre and culture emerged from block parties in ethnic minority neighborhoods of New York City, particularly Bronx. DJs began expanding the instrumental breaks of popular records when they noticed how excited it would make the crowds. The extended instrumental breaks provided a platform for break dancers and rappers. These br ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, and television producer. Born in Queens, a borough of New York City, Jackson began pursuing a musical career in 1996. In 1999–2000, he recorded his debut album ''Power of the Dollar'' for Columbia Records; however, he was struck by nine bullets during a shooting in May 2000, causing its release to be cancelled and Jackson to be dropped from the label. His 2002 mixtape, ''Guess Who's Back?'', was discovered by Detroit rapper Eminem, who signed Jackson to his label Shady Records, an imprint of Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records that same year. His debut studio album, ''Get Rich or Die Tryin''' (2003), was released to critical acclaim and commercial success. Peaking atop the Billboard 200, ''Billboard'' 200, it spawned the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' Hot 100-number one singles "In da Club" and "21 Questions" (featuring Nate Dogg), and received ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
JoJo Pellegrino
Joseph Edwards (born September 13, 1977), professionally known as Jojo Pellegrino, is an American rapper, songwriter and actor from Staten Island, NY. Pellegrino was formally managed by Chris Lighty as a member of the legendary Violator imprint. Pellegrino made his name in the New York Hip hop scene with his debut singles “Fogedaboudid” and “Where I'm from”, "Fogedaboudid" becoming popular on local radio stations. Early life Joseph Edwards (JoJo Pellegrino) was raised in a loving household, in Staten Island New York, by both parents along with his younger sister Jennifer. Throughout most of his childhood and teenage years, Edwards studied various styles of martial arts and also played baseball and basketball. He began writing and recording at the age of 15 years old and through his father's relationship with a colleague, who was managing a few artists at the time, Edwards formed a close bond with local hip-hop sensation Shyheim The Rugged Child, spending most of his tim ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, alongside fellow new school hip hop acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC. Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1984, LL Cool J's breakthrough came with his single "I Need a Beat" and his landmark debut album, ''Radio'' (1985). He achieved further commercial and critical success with the albums '' Bigger and Deffer'' (1987), '' Walking with a Panther'' (1989), '' Mama Said Knock You Out'' (1990), '' Mr. Smith'' (1995), and ''Phenomenon'' (1997). His twelfth album, '' Exit 13'' (2008), was his last in his long-tenured deal with Def Jam. He later re-signed with the label and released his fourteenth album, ''The FORCE'' (2024). LL Cool J has appeared in numerous films, including '' Halloween H20'', '' In Too Deep'', '' Any Given Sunday'', '' Deep Blue Sea'', '' S.W.A.T.'', '' Mindhunte ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep was an American Hip-hop, hip hop duo formed in Queens, New York (state), New York in 1990. Consisting of rappers/songwriters/record producers Prodigy (rapper), Prodigy and Havoc (musician), Havoc, they are considered to be among the principal progenitors of hardcore East Coast hip hop.Edwards, Paul, 2009, ''How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC'', Chicago Review Press, p. 323. Mobb Deep became one of the most successful rap duos of all time, having sold over three million records. Their best-known albums are ''The Infamous'' (1995), ''Hell on Earth (Mobb Deep album), Hell on Earth'' (1996) and ''Murda Muzik'' (1999), and their most successful singles were "Shook Ones, Part II, Shook Ones, (Part II)" and "Survival of the Fittest (song), Survival of the Fittest". They were known for their dark and hardcore delivery. The duo disbanded in 2012, but reunited the following year. Prodigy died in June 2017. Biography Early career Havoc (musician), Havoc and Prodigy ( ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cormega
Corey McKay, better known by his stage name Cormega, is an American rapper. Early life Cormega was born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens. He was childhood friends with Nas, Havoc and Capone, who all went on to become successful rappers. A frequent theme of his music is the countless number of his friends and family that have been killed by violence. Career 1990s He was featured on Hot Day's "Going Straight Up" from his album ''It's My Turn''. He was also featured on Blaq Poet and DJ Hot Day's track "Set It Off" from their album ''Without Warning'' in 1991. During a period of incarceration, Cormega gained some attention following a shout-out from Nas on his song " One Love", from the '' Illmatic'' album released in 1994. Following his release from jail in 1995, Cormega became determined to pursue rapping. Nas included him on a song entitled "Affirmative Action" on his album '' It Was Written'' released on July 2, 1996. The song also featured AZ and Foxy Brown, and becam ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Diggy Simmons
Daniel Dwayne "Diggy" Simmons III (born March 21, 1995) is an American rapper, singer and actor from Queens, New York City. The fourth child of Run-DMC's Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons, he began his recording career in 2009 and signed with Atlantic Records the following year. In 2011, his single " Do It Like You" (featuring Jeremih) and guest appearance on Mindless Behavior's single " Mrs. Right" marked his first and only entries on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The former preceded the release of debut studio album, '' Unexpected Arrival'' (2012), which peaked at number 11 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and was met with positive critical reception. He was chosen as part of ''XXL'' magazine's 2011 Annual Freshman List, and joined Lupe Fiasco's short-lived rap collective, All City Chess Club as its youngest member that same year. In his acting career, Simmons has played Doug Edwards on the Freeform teen drama ''Grown-ish''—a spin off of ABC's ''Black-ish''—since 2018. Simmons, along wi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mya (singer)
Mya Marie Harrison (; born October 10, 1979), known professionally as Mýa, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, and actress. She was born in Washington D.C. and studied ballet, jazz, and tap dance as a child. Her career began in television as a dance posse member on BET's '' Teen Summit''. She signed with University Records, an imprint of Interscope Records to release her first album ''Mya'' (1998). The album was led by her first single, " It's All About Me" (featuring Sisqó), which peaked within the top ten of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Her subsequent collaborative singles, " Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" (with Pras and Ol' Dirty Bastard) and " Take Me There" (with Blackstreet and Mase) were also met with commercial success. Her second studio album, ''Fear of Flying'' (2000), peaked at number 15 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was supported by t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fantasia (singer)
Fantasia Monique Barrino-Taylor (born June 30, 1984), known professionally by her mononym Fantasia, is an American singer and actress. She rose to prominence in 2004 for her performance of the ''Porgy and Bess'' standard " Summertime" during the third season of ''American Idol'', and eventually became that season's winner. Following her victory, Barrino became the second artist after Lauryn Hill to have a debut single enter the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at number one, when her song " I Believe" launched atop the chart. It went on to become the best-selling single in the United States that year. Barrino's debut album '' Free Yourself'' (2004), was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album garnered three Grammy Award nominations, including Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for her recording of "Summertime". She went on to release the hit single " When I See U", from her eponymous second album (2006), recorded the duet " Put You Up on ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott (born July 1, 1971), also known as Misdemeanor, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She began her musical career as a member of the Contemporary R&B, R&B girl group 4 All the Sistas Around da World, Sista during the 1990s, who were part of the larger musical collective Swing Mob—led by DeVante Swing of Jodeci. The former group's commercially unsuccessful debut album, ''4 All the Sistas Around da World'' (1994), was released by Elektra Records and met with positive critical reception. She collaborated with album's producer and Swing Mob cohort Timbaland to work in Missy Elliott production discography, songwriting and production for other acts, yielding commercially successful releases for 702 (group), 702, Aaliyah, SWV, and Total (group), Total. Elliott re-emerged as a solo act with numerous collaborations and guest appearances by 1996, and in July of the following year, she released her debut studio album, ''Supa Dupa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Q-Tip (musician)
Kamaal Ibn John Fareed (born Jonathan William Davis, April 10, 1970), better known by his stage name Q-Tip, is an American rapper, record producer, singer, and DJ. Nicknamed the Abstract, he is noted for his innovative jazz-influenced style of hip hop production and his philosophical, esoteric and introspective lyrical themes. He embarked on his music career in the late 1980s, as an MC and main producer of the influential alternative hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest. In the mid-1990s, he co-founded the production team The Ummah, followed by the release of his gold-certified solo debut '' Amplified'' in 1999. In the following decade, he released the Grammy Award-nominated album ''The Renaissance'' (2008) and the experimental album '' Kamaal the Abstract'' (2009). As an actor, Q-Tip has appeared in various films, such as ''Poetic Justice'', '' She Hate Me'', and '' Prison Song'', the latter of which he co-wrote and played the lead role. As a DJ, he has hosted the Apple Music ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
