Watch the episode HERE

Chris Schwartz is the founder of Ruffhouse Records. At various points, the label included The Fugees, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Cypress Hill, Nas, Kriss Kross, DMX, Kool Keith, and Schoolly D. Ruffhouse sold more than 120 million records worldwide, generating over a billion dollars in sales and a multitude of Grammy Awards. Chris has been the recipient of many awards celebrating his success while earning 250 gold and platinum records. Helping Schooly D birth an entire genre, gangster rap, and perhaps, more importantly, taking the first DIY rap artist to retail success will prove to be his most influential contribution to a culture he's lived for. In the show, we discuss Ruffhouse, Schooly D's burgeoning art career, Chris's fascinating basis for his next book Rebels & Poets, his new venture Ruff Nation, signing the first Asian hip-hop group, how rapping emerged as the top element of the 5 that comprise hip-hop, & a lot more.

www.ruffnation.com

Follow Chris @schwartz_music on IG

Order Ruffhouse: From the Streets of Philly to the Top of the '90s Hip-Hop Charts Book by Chris Schwartz HERE (Physical or eBook)