With the investigation surrounding Chris Lighty's death taking all sorts of twists and turns, the private investigation funded by rapper 50 Cent seems to have eliminated any financial motive for Lighty to have taken his own life. According to Fox 5 news, the investigation into the music producer's death seems to have taken a new direction, as his heartbroken mother is now looking to file a wrongful death lawsuit against whoever may have been responsible. [Read More]

Various sources have confirmed that pioneering hip-hop executive Chris Lighty has died. The native of the Bronx died today of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The powerhouse behind Violater Records and management guided the careers of hip-hop heavyweights like 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliot. Lighty began his career working for DJ Red Alert. He became a road manager for Boogie Down Productions and managed groups like The Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest. He was given the nickname “Baby Chris” for his good looks and to distinguish himself from his older friend Chris Ali.

After closing the year with his anticipated The Big 10 mixtape, business tycoon 50 Cent took to Twitter this week to announce a partnership with Pepsi to distribute his energy shot, Street King.

"I did a deal with Pepsi to distribute Street King its gonna be every where buy a bottle feed some one in need," 50 Cent tweeted. [Read More]

Bill Adler, author of "Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label " speaks to RapRadar on the process of writing this historic book ($35).

The book beautifully chronicles Def Jam’s rise with featured interviews from founders Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons and label executives Lyor Cohen, Juile Greenwald, Kevin Liles, Chris Lighty and others. [Watch & Read More]