Chris Lighty dead: Hip-hop mogul found after reportedly shooting himself in New York City

"Hip-hop mogul" Chris Lighty was found dead in New York City on Thursday, the result of an apparent suicide, the Associated Press reported.

Though several reports said that Lighty was found in his apartment, the New York Daily News reported that Lighty shot himself in the head behind his South Riverdale home "after a heated argument with his estranged wife," citing police sources.

Lighty, 44, was a music manager known for his influential roles in the business ventures of major hip-hop stars like 50 Cent, Mariah Carey and Sean "Diddy" Combs, according to the AP. He headed Violator, a record label and marketing group he started, according to E! News.

E! News reported that Lighty's success in the music industry was his ticket out of the troubled Bronx neighborhood where he grew up. Lighty dubbed the area "crack city" in a 2008 interview with Crains.

Fellow members of the music industry and celebrities took to Twitter to express their shock and grief over Lighty's death.

Lighty leaves behind a 17-year-old daughter, 5-year-old son, and three other children, according to the New York Daily News.