Ruffhouse, Chris Schwartz
Ruffhouse, Chris Schwartz
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Ruffhouse
From the Streets of Philly to the Top of the '90s Hip-Hop Charts

Author: Chris Schwartz, Ms. Lauryn Hill

Narrator: Pete Simonelli, JD Jackson, Adenrele Ojo

Unabridged: 6 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/18/2019


Synopsis

How Ruffhouse Records founder Chris Schwartz overcame poverty, abuse, and addiction to start one of the most pivotal labels in hip-hop history and launch the careers of some of music's biggest stars"All respect to Chris Schwartz. He is a great visionary."―NasAs a struggling musician trying to catch a break in 1980s Philadelphia, Chris Schwartz navigated the crime-infested, morally bankrupt music industry to found and build one of the most successful hip-hop record labels in the world. That label was Ruffhouse, which launched the careers of Nas, The Fugees, Cypress Hill, and others, dominating the charts and generating global revenues of over one billion dollars.Schwartz and his partner, Joe Nicolo, built Ruffhouse from one desk and a phone to one of hip-hop's most revered record companies while simultaneously struggling with drug addiction and alcoholism. A story of money, greed, envy, betrayal, violence, addiction, loss, and redemption, not to mention a whole lot of music, Ruffhouse reveals the inside story of the record companies, recording studios, tour buses, private jets, mansions, radio stations, and concert halls at the height of hip-hop's 1990s heyday, while also uncovering the darker side of the business, from police stations to rehab clinics, courtrooms to prisons. Narrated in Schwartz's own candid, searing prose, Ruffhouse is a gripping portrayal of hip-hop culture at its tipping point, as it transitioned from urban curiosity to a global commercial platform.

About Chris Schwartz

Chris Schwartz is the founder of Ruffhouse Records. Ruffhouse’s roster included The Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Cypress Hill, NAS, Kriss Kross, DMX, Beanie Sigel, State Property, and Schoolly D among others. Ruffhouse Records sold over 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, including 250 gold and platinum records.


Reviews

I went into this book blind. I actually liked this one and couldn't out it down. Very interesting.......more

Goodreads review by Andy

Absolutely one of the best books on the music business -- specifically hip-hop music. A wonderful read.......more

Goodreads review by Karl

A very solid book!!! Learned a lot about the early Philly hip hop scene that I didn't know from this book.......more