Chris Lighty's Success Story

Founder of Violator and Brand Asset Group

Chris Lighty is in his early 40s but is already making millions with his marketing and management companies Violator and Brand Asset Group, which cater to music artists. Chris was raised in a home in the Bronx projects and was influenced greatly by the rap and hip-hop music that evolved all around him in the eighties’ decade. His management skills were also developed at an early age, when he had to find creative ways to get his siblings to school everyday.

Chris started out by carrying music record crates for DJ Red Alert. It was then that he decided to start a management service for music artists. He started his company Violator in 1990. Through a number of unique marketing moves, he brought popular music brands like Vitamin Water and talented musicians like 50 Cent together. High profile artists like LL Cool J, Macy Gray and Diddy were also introduced by Violator.

When asked about how he achieved his success, he points to his persistence. He says that he developed a business plan and then stuck to it. Ad that is the advice he gives upcoming entrepreneurs as well. He says that he also reads a lot in order to learn about the industry he is in as much as possible. He says that is one of the reasons for his success.

Success has not gone to Chris’ head however. He still does not feel like he has finally made it. His perseverance to grow his business has not diminished. Chris Lighty says that in fact his desire to grow has increased with time. When he and a friend signed “Naughty by Nature” to Tommy Boy, they finally ventured out to buy Rolex watches for themselves that they had wanted for a long time. Rising from such humble beginnings has helped Chris keep his head firm on his shoulders.

After he tasted success with Violator, Chris struck a joint venture partnership with Warner Music Group to start his next company Brand Asset Group. He is achieving a lot of success in the music industry as a strategic management and marketing company by getting unexpected brands and music artists together. He now also joined with 50 Cent to own a film company. Plans are on for a hip-hop reality show as well. Chris’ astute understanding of the music and entertainment business as a whole and his relentless hard work has enabled to achieve tremendous success at a relative young age in his life.