Darren Lighty

{{short description|American musician}}

{{BLP one source|date=January 2021}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Darren Lighty

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name = Darren F. Lighty

| alias = D-Life, Smooth

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1969|4|6}}

| birth_place = Paterson, New Jersey

| genre = Hip hop, R&B

| occupation = Session musician, Record producer, Background vocalist

| instrument = Keyboards

| years_active = 1990–present

| label = Cold Chillin', Divine Mill

| associated_acts = Intelligent Hoodlum, Heavy D, Blackstreet, Marley Marl, Next, Donell Jones, Naughty By Nature, Jaheim, Craig G

| website = [https://twitter.com/dlighty Darren Lighty's Twitter Page]

}}

Darren Lighty (born April 6, 1969 in Paterson, New Jersey) is an American hip-hop and R&B record producer and songwriter.

Lighty got his initial start in the industry as part of the group The Flex, which also included his brother Cliff Lighty and Eric Williams.{{cite web|title=Eight inducted into EHS 'Wall of Fame'|url=http://www.hamptoncountyguardian.com/news/2012-10-02/eight-inducted-ehs-wall-fame#.Vs7vxpwrKUk|website=hamptoncountyguardian.com|publisher=Hampton County Guardian|accessdate=2016-02-25}} They were discovered by hip hop producer Marley Marl, who had them sing the hooks on songs he produced for LL Cool J, Heavy D. & the Boyz, Craig G and Intelligent Hoodlum.{{cite web|title=Eight inducted into EHS 'Wall of Fame'|url=http://www.hamptoncountyguardian.com/news/2012-10-02/eight-inducted-ehs-wall-fame#.Vs7vxpwrKUk|website=hamptoncountyguardian.com|publisher=Hampton County Guardian|accessdate=2016-02-25}} The group disbanded before recording an album and the trio went their separate ways. Darren and his brother Cliff continued on as songwriters and session musicians, while Eric Williams became a member of Teddy Riley's group Blackstreet.{{cite web|title=Eight inducted into EHS 'Wall of Fame'|url=http://www.hamptoncountyguardian.com/news/2012-10-02/eight-inducted-ehs-wall-fame#.Vs7vxpwrKUk|website=hamptoncountyguardian.com|publisher=Hampton County Guardian|accessdate=2016-02-25}}

In the early 2000s, Lighty closely worked with Eddie F. on several songs as a producer. He later collaborated with Naughty by Nature member Kay Gee for production and songwriting.{{cite web|title=Eight inducted into EHS 'Wall of Fame'|url=http://www.hamptoncountyguardian.com/news/2012-10-02/eight-inducted-ehs-wall-fame#.Vs7vxpwrKUk|website=hamptoncountyguardian.com|publisher=Hampton County Guardian|accessdate=2016-02-25}} Lighty has worked with artists such as Aaliyah, Donell Jones, Jaheim, Next, Luther Vandross, Queen Latifah, Nas, Mario and more.