Died On This Date (August 30, 2013) Chris Lighty / Managed 50 Cent, Diddy, Mariah Carey, Ja Rule

Chris Lighty
DOB Unknown – August 30, 2012

Chris Lighty was a respected artist manager who counted Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mariah Carey, Ja Rule and 50 Cent as clients.  Raised in New York City, Lighty landed his first significant gig in 1988 with Russell Simmon’s Rush Management.  After learning the ropes and building a solid reputation as a man who could build brands, Lighty formed Violator Management.  His early roster included Busta Rhymes, L L Cool J, and Missy Elliott.  Before long, Lighty was representing some of the biggest names in entertainment, and while doing so, becoming one of the most significant business forces in rap history.  Chris Lighty reportedly died from a self-inflected gunshot wound at his home on August 30, 2012. He was 44.

Thanks Kelly Samojlik at New Releases Now for the assist.

Died On This Date (August 5, 2012) Chavela Vargas / Beloved Ranchera Singer

Chavela Vargas (Born Isabel Lizano)
April 17, 1919 – August 5, 2012

Chavela Vargas was a Costa Rico-born singer who grew up to be one of the most respected singer of Mexican Rancheras the world has ever known.  When she was just 14, Vargas moved to Mexico to pursue her dream of singing, but it wasn’t until 1961 that she recorded her first album, Noche de Bohemia.  She spent the next 50 years making up for lost time with the release of more than 80 albums.  She was immensely popular during the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, keeping company with the likes of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Augustin Lara.  Vargas more or less retired during the late ’70s, but came back to the stage strong in 1991.  In 2003 – at the age of 83 – Vargas made her Carnegie Hall debut.  Chavela Vargas was 93 when she passed away on August 5, 2012.