It’s been two years since Violator’s Chris Lighty and Mona Scott got their artists together for VIOLATOR: THE ALBUM, a million-selling CD that featured a reunited Capone-N-Noreaga, some of the last music from Big Pun, new tracks from Busta Rhymes, Mobb Deep, LL Cool J and introduced the first solo record from Q-Tip since his departure from long-time Violator management clients, A Tribe Called Quest. That track, “Vivrant Thing,” went on to #1 and garnered Grammy, Soul Train, and MTV Award nominations. The album’s solid material and savvy marketing strategy got Hollywood and America’s attention.
With Chris and Mona firmly entrenched as co-heads of Urban Entertainment at Michael Ovitz’ Artist Management Group, Violator/AMG has moved forward at an accelerated pace. Busta Rhymes is currently recording his debut for Clive Davis’ J Records, shooting his third series of Mountain Dew TV and print ads and filming his third movie in three years-“N.A.R.C.”, produced by and starring Ray Liotta. Nas and Maxwell are the most recent additions to the Violator family. Maxwell is in the studio putting the finishing touches on NOW, the much-anticipated follow-up to the smash, EMBRYA. Nas is currently shooting “Sacred Is The Flesh,” and is about to begin production on “Keeping The Faith,” two film projects that he co-wrote and will produce. Ja Rule has also sought out Violator to guide his television and film career. Under their auspices, he has recently wrapped shooting on “Speedracer” and will shoot a commercial for Nike as part of their celebrated “Just Do It” campaign. Noreaga of CNN, recently completed production on “What, What,” the hip-hop documentary he directed, produced by Ted Demme for HBO.
Having successfully marketed hip-hop from the hood to Hollywood, Violator brought their street marketing skills to the film and television world when newly-formed Violator Marketing Group (VMG) landed the promotion contract for New Line Cinema’s summer picture, “Blow,” directed by Ted Demme. VMG was created to successfully market mainstream products to the urban consumer, a consumer not defined by ethnicity, but rather by lifestyle.
With music being the core of Violator’s business, Lighty and Scott are currently producing the July 2001 release, VIOLATOR THE ALBUM: V2.0. Expect to hear new tracks from Busta Rhymes since his departure from Elektra Entertainment, a Missy Elliott and Ja Rule collaboration, an original Maxwell cut, two new LL Cool J tracks, Prodigy featuring Jadakiss, Staten Island newcomer JoJo Pellegrino and others from the Violator camp. This will be the first album in a new Violator Records/Sony distribution deal.
