NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Two major New York-based management companies, Larry Mestel's Primary Wave Music and Chris Lighty's Violator Management have announced they are merging to form a new company, Primary Violator.
Larry Mestel will become Chairman and CEO of Primary Violator while Chris Lighty will serve as Chief Operating Officer. Michael "Blue" Williams will remain as company President of the newly formed venture.
The new company will oversee a roster of about twenty artists, including 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, Soulja Boy, L.L. Cool Jay, and Diddy, who are all currently clients of Violator.
In addition to traditional management, Primary Violator will also focus on branding, video game and commercial placement, as well as television development opportunities through Primary Wave's existing, in-house branding operation, Brand Synergy Group and their in-house media development team.
Prior to launching Violator, Chris Lighty, worked alongside music business pioneers Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen at RUSH Management and Def Jam in the 90s, where he signed multi-platinum artists such as Warren G and Foxy Brown.
Primary Wave Music’s CEO Larry Mestel has had a long career in the industry, with a resume that includes serving as Chief Operating Officer, Island Records, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Arista Records and Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, Virgin Records.
Michael “Blue” Williams was the former President of Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Management where he oversaw the music careers of a list of artists that included Outkast, Monica, Total and Faith Evans. Williams then founded Family Tree Entertainment, where he continued to manage Outkast.
Larry Mestel told Billboard.biz that Primary Violator is looking to to take an aggressive approach in the management world, actively looking to tempt clients away from competitors.
"We will take a very aggressive no holds bar stance when it comes to go after artists," Mestel told Billboard. "Chris, Blue and I will make sure everyone knows we are in business and will be very aggressive" in luring name talent to the merged company. "We will provides services that are not being provided elsewhere." – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
