Hovain Hylton, the beloved manager and music magnate, has passed away, his family have confirmed.
In a post shared on his official Instagram account, it was revealed that the hip-hop executive (real name Jonathan “Hovain” Hylton) passed away at his home on Friday (Nov. 25). A cause of death has not yet been announced.
“It is with deep regret that we inform all family, friends and colleagues that Jonathan ‘Hovain’ Hylton passed away at his home on Friday, November 25,” the message began. “He was a beloved and devoted father, husband, son, brother and a proud representative of Brooklyn.
“We want to thank all his close friends for all the love and support you have shown during this difficult time. We ask all of you to continue to keep his family in your prayers and to respect their privacy at this time.”
The Brooklyn native got his start in the entertainment industry by shadowing the late boxing promoter Butch Lewis. “Working with Butch showed me how to make yourself,” Hovain said in a bio on his official website. “Butch was the ultimate businessman, he always closed the deal and never made excuses.”
From there, he teamed up with Randall “Sickamore” Medford as part of the Famous Firm, through which the duo managed the career of Tommy Hilfiger’s son Rich Hil and launched the Famous Factory live show series with XXL magazine.
Hovain later founded Hovain Hylton Management where he not only managed artists but also initiated major brand deals and marketing strategies. With over 10 years of experience in the music industry, some of the biggest names in music and culture have entrusted their careers to Hovain.
Some of the artists Hovain has worked with include Busta Rhymes, Lloyd Banks, Troy Ave, Dave East, Rob Markman, Young Guru, Wale, Karen Civil and more.
Tributes are starting to pour in on social media for the Brooklyn native.
Young Guru, who was led by Hovain, wrote, “I have no words. I loved this man. He was more than my manager, he was my brother. I swear, this is too much. RIP my brother [six broken heart emojis] @hovain you were special.”
A-Trak called Hovain “a pillar of New York hip-hop” in his tribute. “I can’t believe Hovain passed, wtf. He was one of the good guys. Everyone loved him. A pillar of New York hip-hop, of hip-hop in general, just a good guy. Damn,” he wrote on Twitter.
Westside Gunn, who praised Hovain for being one of Griselda’s “biggest supporters”, wrote: “@Hovain was one of Griselda’s biggest supporters, he would help anyway. I am eternally grateful [two palms out emojis] RIP HOVAIN the dot connector.”
I can’t believe Hovain passed, wtf. He was one of the good guys. Everyone loved him. A pillar of New York hip-hop, of hip-hop in general, just a good guy. Damn.
— Nappin4Tay (@atrak) November 26, 2022
@Hovain was one of Griselda’s biggest supporters, he would help no matter what. I am eternally grateful to you 🤲🏽🤲🏽 RIP HOVAIN the dot connector
— WESTSIDEGUNN (@WESTSIDEGUNN) November 26, 2022
“Damn.. RIP @Hovain.. one of the nicest, most solid guys I’ve ever met in this game. Always checked on me after dark,” Belly wrote. “You will be missed brother [three dove emojis].”
Bay Area rapper LaRussell tweeted, “Long live the greatest [two prayer emojis and black heart emoji]. @Hovain went so hard for me. He’s been arranging plays for me since the day we met. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Hov telling EVERYONE he knew about me. “It was God’s plan, it was your will.” – Hovain”
Hit-Boy revealed that Hovain recently contacted him to do some music with his client and former G-Unit rapper Lloyd Banks. “Hovain just called me saying he wanted to do some music with Lloyd Banks [prayer emoji] God bless his family.”
“Damn it, RIP Hovain,” Skyzoo wrote. “A good BK guy who really represented the culture and the municipality. rest in peace g [prayer and dove emojis].”
Damn.. RIP @Hovain .. one of the nicest, most solid guys I’ve ever met in this game. Always checked on me when it was dark. You will be missed brother 🕊🕊🕊
— MICRO JORDAN (@reBELLYus) November 26, 2022
Long live the Greatest 🙏🏾🙏🏾🖤@Hovain went so hard for me. He’s been arranging plays for me since the day we met. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Hov telling EVERYONE he knew about me.
“It was God’s plan, it was your will.” — Hovain pic.twitter.com/pE8zExoZpt
— LaRussell (@LaRussellGC) November 26, 2022
Hovain just talked me into making some music with Lloyd Banks 🙏🏾 God bless his family
— Hit-Boy (@Hit_Boy) November 26, 2022
Hell, RIP Hovain. A good BK guy who really represented the culture and the municipality. Rest well G 🙏🏽🕊
— Skyzoo (@skyzoo) November 26, 2022
HipHopDX expresses his condolences to Hovain’s friends and family. You can see more tributes to the late music manager below.
Damn man 😞😞😞 rip Hovain 🙏🏼🙏🏼 such a decent guy
— RUSS (@russdiemon) November 26, 2022
Hovain was generous in mind, spirit and soul. He gave everything to this culture and to the countless who are in pain today. May his memory be a blessing.
— It’sTheReal (@itsthereal) November 26, 2022
REST IN PEACE @Hovain .. “From God we come and to Him shall we all return” 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/VJeQ2MKMoA
— DJ Green Lantern (@DJGREENLANTERN) November 26, 2022
Sad day in hip-hop.
REST IN PEACE @Hovain 💔 pic.twitter.com/CTNFk9l6PL— Termanology (@TermanologyST) November 26, 2022
Hovain was always a great person with a passion for the culture and the artists he helped develop. Huge loss to the culture and community.
RIP Hovain 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 https://t.co/JfrHmka2gT
— TheCompanyMan.eth 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@TheCompanyMan) November 26, 2022
Rest in peace Hovain. One of the good ones who really loved this and showed love without hesitation.
— brandon / jinx / big jinx (@brandonjinx) November 26, 2022
Hovain was one of the nicest guys in the music world. Constantly nagged him late in the 2 about a Banks verse…always warm..never got annoyed with my nagging..just a sweet soul
RIP Hovain
— Real Late 2 Soon Come (@Rosenbergradio) November 26, 2022
Life is precious and you never know how much you have left. Hovain tweeted this 24 hours ago. Now he’s gone. Make the most of the time you have on this earth and love those who love you. RIP Hovain. pic.twitter.com/z8DRUyny87
— DJ Vlad 🇺🇦 (@djvlad) November 26, 2022
Hovain was one of the kindest, most caring, supportive and loving friends and associates you could ever have. Man, this hurts.
— Van Lathan Jr. (@vanLathan) November 26, 2022
𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨, Hovain. 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨! pic.twitter.com/tmjS7nlq4m
— brian b.dot™ miller (@bdotTM) November 26, 2022
Oh my god, RIP to Hovain and condolences to his family and friends. Hovain was always a good guy and always showed nothing but love and respect. Prayers for his loved ones 💔 https://t.co/mKBzS9Pw7h
— Ibrahim H. (@KingOfQueenz) November 26, 2022
Terrible news. Rest in peace @Hovain https://t.co/cGOW57JZnF
— ᴋᴀᴛʜʏ ɪᴀɴᴅᴏʟɪ, ᴍ.ᴀ. (sʜᴇ/ʜᴇʀ) (@kath3000) November 26, 2022
Literally just told lil bro Happy birthday a week ago…. My condolences to your wife, daughters and family… Rest in peace @Hovain 🙏🏾🖤
— Mack Maine (@mackmaine) November 26, 2022
😳 DAMN!!!! RIP HOVAIN MY LIL BRO!!! 💔🙏🏽 https://t.co/asGVgnLlId
— BEN BALLER™ (@BENBALLER) November 26, 2022
RIP to Hovain. Friendly soul. Always shown love. ALWAYS. The industry lost a very important person
— IG: Mickey.Factz (@MickeyFactz) November 26, 2022