Tag Archives: steve rifkind

Today In Hip Hop History: Prodigy Dropped His Debut Solo Album ‘H.N.I.C.’ 22 Years Ago

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On this day at the turn of the century, Prodigy, the lyrical half of the legendary QB duo Mobb Deep, dropped his debut LP, H.N.I.C., released under the Loud/Violator/Steve Rifkind Co./Infamous Records imprints.

Produced by behind-the-board experts like his partner Havoc, The Alchemist, Rockwilder, and Just Blaze, this album became the first part of the P’s H.N.I.C. (Head Nigga In Charge) trilogy. It also inspired other similar album titles in the 21st century from premiere artists such as Kendrick Lamar (Y.H.N.I.C.) and Wiz Khalifa (O.H.N.I.C.).

Prodigy showed off his versatility on this project, which included love songs(“Trials Of Love”), renewed history tracks (“Infamous Minded”), crew love tracks(“Can’t Complain”, “Dealt With The Bullshit”), and of course, the album-leading, no chorus having “Keep It Thoro”.

Salute to Prodigy in his physical absence, however, his music will forever be etched in Hip Hop History!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Prodigy Dropped His Debut Solo Album ‘H.N.I.C.’ 22 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

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Today In Hip Hop History: Prodigy Dropped His Debut Solo Album ‘H.N.I.C.’ 22 Years Ago

tumblr 878210d039305f8d45e9804eeddafa3d d1127c62 1280

On this day at the turn of the century, Prodigy, the lyrical half of the legendary QB duo Mobb Deep, dropped his debut LP, H.N.I.C., released under the Loud/Violator/Steve Rifkind Co./Infamous Records imprints.

Produced by behind-the-board experts like his partner Havoc, The Alchemist, Rockwilder, and Just Blaze, this album became the first part of the P’s H.N.I.C. (Head Nigga In Charge) trilogy. It also inspired other similar album titles in the 21st century from premiere artists such as Kendrick Lamar (Y.H.N.I.C.) and Wiz Khalifa (O.H.N.I.C.).

Prodigy showed off his versatility on this project, which included love songs(“Trials Of Love”), renewed history tracks (“Infamous Minded”), crew love tracks(“Can’t Complain”, “Dealt With The Bullshit”), and of course, the album-leading, no chorus having “Keep It Thoro”.

Salute to Prodigy in his physical absence, however, his music will forever be etched in Hip Hop History!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Prodigy Dropped His Debut Solo Album ‘H.N.I.C.’ 22 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

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Today In Hip Hop History: The Source Magazine Remembers the Legacy of Big Pun 22 Years Later

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On this date in 2000, the Hip Hop community was both shocked and saddened by the untimely death of lyrical giant Christopher “Big Pun” Rios. As the premiere artist for Fat Joe’s Terror Squad, Pun became the first Latino Hip Hop artist to go platinum and discovered TS’ First Lady, Remy Ma.

Pun is regarded as one of the game’s best lyricists to ever do it, or as he is aptly described, one of the best “dead or alive”. His only two full-length releases, Capital Punishment and Yeeahhh Baby, are considered classic albums among true Hip Hop aficionados and continue to get radio play on his smash singles “I’m Not A Player” and the posthumous “It’s So Hard”.

Rest In Peace to Pun and sincere condolences to the Rios family from the entire Mind Squad.

#RIPBIGPUN

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Steve Rifkind and Triller Partner To Find Music’s Next Star With Launch Of Spring Singles

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Triller, the popular global AI-powered short video and music discovery platform, and Spring Sound founder Steve Rifkind, the prominent music industry executive known for launching many of the most influential stars of Rap and Hip Hop, today announced the launch of Spring Singles, a new artist discovery platform formed by Springs Sound and Triller that will introduce and promote the most exciting new music artists across popular genres in a biweekly format. 

The announcement was made during a keynote conversation between Rifkind and rapper-producer David Banner at Triller’s Assembly for Black Creators, a new monthly virtual conference launching today that brings Black creators together with leading brands to create new content integrations and deepen the pipeline of Black-owned media.

Spring Singles will tap into Steve Rifkind’s decades-long track record of artist discovery and savvy promotion has led to the success of some of the most globally influential acts in music, including Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, Big Pun, Akon, Three 6 Mafia, Busta Rhymes, and many others.

The Spring Singles program will be fueled by Rifkind’s ongoing search for music talent around the world and informed by his keen eye for talent and an early understanding of Hip Hop culture that helped Rifkind identify hot acts and also pioneer the marketing tactic of “street teams” to promote concerts (a term he later trademarked). Spring Singles will also encourage up-and-coming artists to submit their work directly to [email protected].

Beginning January 1 and every two weeks thereafter, Spring Singles will release a new single from a different undiscovered artist on the Triller platform. Songs will be promoted across the extended Triller network, including the Triller platform and all Triller social channels, and leverage the company’s promotional and marketing power, including exposure through Triller’s Rising Star and Soundcloud Playlists, in-app advertising, exclusive artist spotlights, push notifications, Triller influencer support, and Triller House content activations, events and brand partnerships. 

“We’re creating a new pathway to finding and launching the kind of raw talent that makes people stop and say, ‘whoa, there’s a new star,’” said Rifkind. “Triller’s ability to amplify these new voices to the right audiences using their AI tools and sophisticated marketing is the way we hope to empower new voices so they can have a very real opportunity to potentially break through. We want to create a rhythm to our song releases, and by scheduling them every two weeks, we will hopefully have created something that people pay attention to and look forward to. We have already found some amazing talent that we can’t wait to introduce.”

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Steve Rifkind Re-establishes Loud Music Group

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The groundbreaking Loud Records has been newly re-established as the Loud Music Group, set to launch September 30, 2020. The all-encompassing company is a new iteration of the original, though has adapted to the ever-changing music industry landscape to provide label services, distribution, and publishing. Loud’s original game-changing formula was one that could neither be imitated nor duplicated, which is why its return is so welcomed. Rifkind returns for Loud’s renaissance as the Chairman—along with partners Stanley “Citi” Atwater as CEO and Dana Biondi as COO —to create the new paradigm for artists’ record deals.

Citi stated, “As one of the few African American CEO’s in the music industry, I’ll be empowering the best African American and minority executive talent in entertainment to help build this historic relaunch.”

Dana Biondo said, “We are excited to find and develop talent who understand our new model. All of our efforts will go into helping artists and guiding them to become the world’s next superstars. With all of our combined experience, we have the ability to take an artist from A-Z, all under one roof.”

Steve Rifkind added, “We are giving the artists ownership of their masters, and ultimately their careers. We are here to help facilitate their success and make sure to get them paid.”

The first releases will come from pair of Atlanta rappers who have each amassed notable following on YouTube: Loui and Baby Fendi. Loui has amassed more than 30 million streams to date, and even more traction on YouTube. His biggest track to date has been “Shake Dat.” Fendi has collected 229,000 YouTube subscribers and 15 million views, most notably with a song called “Pop My Sh–”.

Loui’s first Loud single, “Don’t Matter,” featuring Capitol’s Toosii, is scheduled for Oct. 2, with Fendi’s first Loud track arriving later in October. Finally, Ryrif, also Rifkind’s younger son, will unveil his first single, “Run It Up,” in November.

In 1991, Steve Rifkind founded the groundbreaking Loud Records in the wake of hip-hop’s Golden Era. Loud became the destination for quality artists and hits that would echo for decades to come, selling more than 100 million records collectively. The label was home to burgeoning rap legends like the Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, M.O.P., the late Big Pun, Three 6 Mafia, and many others. The label changed lives, it changed career paths, and most importantly, it changed music as we know it.

As Forbes magazine put it, “Hip-hop wouldn’t be where it is today without Loud Records.”

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LOUD Records Rally Up Wu-Tang, Mobb Deep, Fat Joe + More NY Legends To Unite Tonight W/ Prodigy + Big Pun Tribute Performances At 25th Anniversary Concert

Loud Records Experience

Legendary New York record label Loud is going to put on a show for the ages tonight. The respected company has put together an epic line-up of past and present artists to set hit the stage at the Big Apple’s iconic Radio City Music Hall.

Big Facts: Tonight, rap heavyweights from Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep to Terror Squad leader Fat Joe will unite under one roof for an epic night of live performances.

Loud Records marks its 25th anniversary this year, and it held a big concert at Newark’s Prudential Center in October to celebrate. Some of that same lineup will reconvene at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall on January 30, 2020 to continue the celebration with another show. The lineup for “The Loud Experience” includes Wu-Tang Clan, a Prodigy tribute featuring his former Mobb Deep partner Havoc (who has kept Mobb Deep alive after Prodigy’s passing), a Big Pun tribute featuring Fat Joe and a special guest, Tha Links, Dead Prez, Beatnuts, Pete Rock, and even more special guests. (Brooklyn Vegan)

High-Key Details: This week, Loud Records founder Steve Rifkind pulled through to chop it up with radio veteran Sway about tonight’s 25th anniversary concert.

Wait, There’s More: Over the past few months, Rifkind has promoted the highly-anticipated New York showcase.

Before You Go: A few years ago, Tha Liks reflected on Wu-Tang signing to Loud Records.

The post LOUD Records Rally Up Wu-Tang, Mobb Deep, Fat Joe + More NY Legends To Unite Tonight W/ Prodigy + Big Pun Tribute Performances At 25th Anniversary Concert appeared first on .

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Today In Hip Hop History: Prodigy Releases His Debut Solo Album ‘H.N.I.C.’ 18 Years Ago

On this day at the turn of the century, Prodigy, the lyrical half of the legendary QB duo Mobb Deep, dropped his debut LP, ‘H.N.I.C.’, released under the Loud/Violator/Steve Rifkind Co./Infamous Records imprints.

Produced by behind the boards experts like his partner Havoc, The Alchemist, Rockwilder, and Just Blaze, this album became the first part the P’s H.N.I.C.(Head Nigga In Charge) trilogy. It also inspired other similar album titles in the 21st century from premiere artists such as Kendrick Lamar(Y.H.N.I.C.) and Wiz Khalifa(O.H.N.I.C.).

Prodigy showed off his versatility on this project, which included love songs(“Trials Of Love”), renewed history tracks(“Infamous Minded”), crew love tracks(“Can’t Complain”, “Dealt With The Bullshit”) and of course, the album-leading, no chorus having “Keep It Thoro”.

Salute to Prodigy in his physical absence, however, his music will forever be etched in Hip Hop History!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Prodigy Releases His Debut Solo Album ‘H.N.I.C.’ 18 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

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