In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Steve Rifkind, the founder of Loud Records and one of the most influential executives in hip-hop history. From signing Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and Big Pun, to launching marketing powerhouse SRC and breaking artists like Akon, Rifkind reflects on his unique approach to artist development, street-level marketing, and building real cultural moments. This isn’t just music industry talk — it’s a masterclass in trust, risk, and vision.

00:00:00 Intro 00:01:47 Growing Up & The Grandfather Who Saved My Life 00:02:17 Dyslexia, Trouble, and Going to Juvie 00:03:38 The Lie That Stopped the Neighborhood Fights 00:06:00 The Music in the House: Motown, Soul, and Celebrity Guests 00:09:16 Falling in Love with Music at Spring Records 00:10:30 Testing Records in Strip Clubs: Working at Spring 00:13:09 Grandfather's Warning and the Start of the Road Trip 00:18:13 Losing the $250,000 'Street Frogs' Cartoon Deal 00:22:24 Meeting Mike Bivins and Managing New Edition 00:25:24 The Wu-Tang Clan Deal Rationale 00:27:31 Launching the Stephen Rifkind Marketing Company 00:32:08 "You Really Are a Dumbest Motherfker": Why I Started a Label 00:36:59 The Birth of Loud Records and the Wu-Tang Meeting 00:48:20 Heavy D's Intervention & Rebuilding with SRC

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