Music mogul Chris Lighty died on Thursday, Aug.30, from an apparent suicide.

The music manager who has handled the careers of award-winning recording artists including Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, P.Diddy Combs and Diggy Simmons shot himself in the head shortly after an argument from his estranged wife, according to New York Daily News.

At 11:30 am, Lighty was reportedly arguing with his wife inside his South Riverdale apartment, when he stepped outside. A single gunshot sound went off, and Lighty was found face up with 9 mm handgun on the ground next to his body.

Local authorities told the newspaper that Lighty's wife Veronica filed for divorce from him last year and he may have been suffering from financial issues--he owed about $5 million in back taxes to the IRS.

Lighty co-founded Violator Management, a firm that has managed the careers of many artists in the hip-hop music industry including Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Ja Rule and Fat Joe. His business partner is Mona Scott, the executive producer and co-creator of VH1's "Love and Hip-Hop" franchise.

Lighty's death has stunned so many people in the entertainment industry that sentiments to the hip-hop pioneer became a trend on Twitter with the hash tag #Chris Lighty. A long list of celebrities tweeted their condolences on the social media site including Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun, Kim Kardashian, Pete Wentz, Rihanna and "America's Got Talent" host Nick Cannon.

View the list of celebrity tweets below dedicated to Chris Lighty: 

Scooter Braun: "hard to believe it is true but RIP to my friend Chris Lighty. gone too soon" 

Kim Kardashian: "Such sad news about Chris Lighty. He was an amazing partner in my fragrance LightHouse Beauty & friend. You will be missed!" 

Diddy: R.I.P. Christ Lighty. He Was A Dear Friend Of Mine And I Still Can't Believe It.

Nicki Minaj: "Another tragic & inconceivable loss for the culture. #RIPChrisLighty"

Rihanna: "Rest peacefully Chris Lighty, my prayers go out to family and loved ones! Dear God please have mercy"

Nick Cannon: "I'm devastated right now. I can't believe my big brother Chris Lighty is gone... He was a pioneer, a mentor, and a great friend RIP. I truly believe to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, but I just feel like Chris's work wasn't finish on earth"

Ludacris: "R.I.P. Chris Lightly who always had the best energy every time I had an encounter with him. He will be missed"

Terrence J: "RIP to Chris Lighty. Dude gave me life changing advice & wisdom. A tragic loss, he will be deeply missed. Prayers to the family."

John Legend: "RIP Chris Lighty. Hip-hop visionary."

Ice T: "If you are REALLY in Hip Hop you know Chris... If you're not... You have NO idea how important and what a great person he was..I can't hold back the tears.... Man!! No matter how big Chris got... He always treated me like the young kid I met, hustlin hard at the 'New Music Seminar.' Awwwwww man... Chris was my dude. I can't believe this. we go back...."

Brandy Norwood: "R.I.P. Chris Lighty! This is such a shock:( My heart goes out to his family and friends."

Omar Epps: "Really sad & confused right now.. RIP to my OG CHRIS LIGHTY. Chris Lighty was a pioneer in hip hop & the music biz period! He was a good man & a good friend. Prayers for his family & his children.."

Pete Wentz: "RIP chris lighty."

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