Details:
The term "Everything starts in the streets" never spoke truer than when these brothers from The Bronx started running through clubs in New York. The Violators started out with a friendship between friends from the same building, same school and family relationships. But they all had a common thread between them “Bronx River Houses the home of Hip Hop”`. Chris "Ali" Arlee and "Big" Rodney Simmons lived in Bronx River Housing in building 1455 which was on Harrod Ave with the “55 Cru" back in the early 80’s. Darryl "Sneaky D" and "Baby" Chris Lighty use to come to Bronx River Housing to hang out with other people from another building within the development. The name was given to them by New York's radio pioneer Kool DJ Red Alert. The Violators would go to clubs with Kool DJ Red Alert and get into situations with other crews for taking their girlfriends, so Red Alert started saying " Y’all keep violating these guys" and the name Violator" stuck. At the same time Big Rod, Hanz and Chris Ali started coming down to Union Square or other places Red Alert was playing. While Red Alert was breaking acts like The Jungle Brothers, Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, Black Sheep and playing a vital role in "The Bridge is over Wars” in 1986, The Violators also merge with some of the members from the 55cru “Big Rod, Chris Ali together with Hanz aka "Black Jesus" who was Big Rod cousin formed the first street group known as the Violators that wasn’t rappers or Dj’s but was just as popular.The Violators became known throughout the Hip-Hop industry and formed a friendship and brotherhood that has lasted over 30 plus years. This friendship has also helped Chris Lighty to become one of the brightest managers in hip-hop history. Red Alert seen Baby Chris business side and had him road managing The Jungle Brothers and Chris Ali was road managing A Tribe Called Quest which was very short and then the job was given to Darryl "Sneaky D" because of differences between Ali and Tribe Called Quest views. Baby Chris went on to manage upcoming acts for Def Jam and Rush Management where he furthered his skills of management under Lyor Cohen and Russell Simmons. Violator Management was a record label, marketing group, management and multi-media entertainment conglomerate that was founded and operated by Chris Lighty until his death on August 30, 2012. The remaining original Violators did not want to lose or let someone take over the brand that was built by them and later furthered by Lighty, so they reformatted the name “Violator” to ‘Violators Unlimited Inc.” to further the brand and keep the legacy alive. Many of the visions that Chris Lighty had for the company will stay intact with the addition of apparel, merchandising, sporting goods and publishing. Violators Unlimited Inc. is directly responsible for the company's day-to-day operations and profitability. There is one law that Violators won't break, it's the self-imposed law of making money while retaining street creditability.
